Approve the Additional Expenditures to Pitsco, Inc. for The STAR Academy Under Invitation to Bid (ITB) #9138-EST Classroom Supplies and Equipment Catalog Discount Bid (Business Division)

The STAR Academy is a "school within a school" program offered at Giunta and Webb Middle Schools. Overage students from our 46 middle schools, who meet the eligibility criteria, apply to attend.  It was first implemented in the 2008/2009 school year.  The STAR Academy engages students in relevant career-focused learning. Through this rigorous 8^th grade program, students will complete 9^th grade course requirements with the opportunity to enter 10^th grade the following school year. 

This purchase from Pitsco, Inc. includes the three-year renewal of the site licenses for this program and provides the electronic lessons for Biology, Earth Science, Pre-algebra, and Algebra for the two STAR academies.  The electronic lessons include the curriculum instruction and the individualized lessons to enhance the instructions. 

On December 7, 2010, the Board approved the renewal of ITB #9138-EST for various classroom supply and equipment vendors, including Pitsco, Inc.  At that time, estimated expenditures were $30,000; with this $60,000 purchase for the STAR Academy, our annual spend for this vendor will reach $90,000. 

Funds will be included in the Supplemental Academic Instruction budget of approximately $60,000.

Contract administration or evaluation is performed by the Project Manager (end user) and the Procurement Officer, who function as a team.  Reviews are conducted face to face, typically quarterly, or by utilizing an online vendor performance report.  Prior to soliciting a new contract, the Contract Administration team must first give consideration to the specifications and supporting data of the expiring contract.