Approve the Recommendation Regarding Purchase of Freight Services from Collegiate Services, Inc. - Sole Source Provider (Business Division)

As required by School Board policy, when the amount of a purchase from a sole source provider is $25,000 or more, the Board is to be notified. TextFreight is a program provided by Collegiate Services, Inc. for the delivery of textbooks to schools at a significant reduction in freight expenditures. Collegiate Services, Inc. picks up and delivers textbook orders from publishers to individual schools versus current practice of publishers contracting with common carriers and passing on freight costs. An initial pilot program will be conducted to verify and determine savings/processes.

* Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals, * Demonstrate best financial practices

TextFreight offers reductions in our shipping costs of 2.5% - 3.1%. Currently our average textbook freight cost for non-Florida school book purchases is 7%.