C6.25 - Approve Addenda 3 and 4 with Hillsborough County Schools Succeed, LLC (HCSS), a wholly owned subsidiary of MGT of America Consulting, LLC for External Operator Services (Finance Division)

Per new requirements in State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.099827, F. A. C., the District is required to hold back 33 percent of the contracted amount until school performance grades are released. The new payment schedule and revised addenda meet these requirements. 

There is a 30-day termination clause included in this contract. This agreement will be reviewed and evaluated annually and may be renewed by the Superintendent, per the terms of the specifications. 

In accordance with the Florida Department of Education Purchasing Policy 6A-1.012(11)(b), the requirement for requesting competitive solicitations for commodities or contractual services from three or more sources is hereby waived as authorized by section 1010.04(4)(a), F.S. for the purchase by district school boards of educational services and any type of copyrighted materials.

As a result of being identified by the Florida Department of Education as a "Turnaround school" based on persistent low performance, the District will work directly with the external operator to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of the school in terms of student achievement, quality of instruction, professional development, leadership, and family engagement. 

The original contract was approved on August 20, 2019, for James Elementary, Kimbell Elementary, Robles Elementary, and Sulphur Springs K-8 Schools. 

An external operator is an outside consultant or organization with a proven record of helping schools improve their grades.  The external operator is expected to provide support in needed areas. HCSS' compensation is dependent to their assigned schools' performance.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Improve Student Achievement

* Continuously improve processes and systems

* Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship

Approve Addendum 3 for a 1-year term with two 1-year renewal options for Folsom Elementary, Foster Elementary, McDonald Elementary, and Oak Park Elementary Schools.

Approve Addendum 4 renewing James Elementary, Kimbell Elementary, Robles Elementary, and Sulpur Springs K-8 Schools.

Corey A. Murphy, General Manager, Procurement Services, corey.murphy@hcps.net, (813) 272-4374
Shaylia McRae, Chief Officer of Transformation, shaylia.mcrae@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4076

The Supplemental Academic Instructional Categorical funds allocated for this fiscal year will be used for external operator services.  The base cost of this contract for all eight schools will be $4,120,000.  Dependent upon school grades after the close of the 2020/2021 school year, the penalty or performance costs could result in a range of $1,260,000 through $2,060,000 for all eight schools.

Contract administration and evaluation is performed by the Project Manager (the "End User") and the Procurement Officer, who function as a team, by utilizing an online vendor performance report or via in-person reviews. The evaluation consists of an assessment of the vendor-provided goods and services, deliverables, and compliance with contractual requirements. The resulting data will support renewal decisions and/or alterations to a new agreement.