HCPS FL Logo Workforce Connections
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, September 6, 2016
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of District License from Certiport (Sole-Source Provider) for Industry Certification Testing and Practice Software (Workforce Connections)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers students industry certification practice and test administration through Certiport, the sole provider of Adobe and Microsoft certification testing.  This purchase will provide 10,338 universal exam vouchers, which allow students and teachers to each take up to 6 industry certification tests.  The certification exams are recognized by industry and provide students with a marketable skill to take to the workforce.  Students successfully earning industry certifications generate weighted full-time equivalent (FTE) funding back to the career-themed courses where the industry certifications are earned.  Industry certifications are to be included in the calculation of school grades.

Certiport has the global administration rights for the Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Business Certifications program for Microsoft; therefore, Certiport is the exclusive agent in the state.  In accordance with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Purchasing Policy 6A-1.012(12)(d), commodities or contractual services available only from a single source may be exempted from the competitive solicitation requirements.  When a district school board believes that commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source as specified by the FLDOE, the district school board may negotiate on the best terms and conditions with the single source vendor.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
This district license is subject to renewal on an annual basis to provide continual success to certification preparation and testing.  Funds in the amount of $480,000 will be available in various Industry Certification budgets - Projects 4536, 4538, 4541.  These funds are from weighted FTE funds earned by previous student achievement in Industry Certification testing. As of August 16, 2016, the budgeted amount for the three Industry Certification projects is $1,395,528.94.
EVALUATION
In 2015/2016, students earned over 1,000 Industry Certifications through Certiport.  The district Career and Technical Education staff will evaluate this purchase based on the number of certifications attempted and earned for the 2016/2017 school year.
SUBMITTED BY:  Warren S. Brooks, Workforce Connections Officer, Workforce Connections
Gretchen Saunders   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
  Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    C 6.09
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20160906_777 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section C Item# 6.09