B6.04 - Approve the Renewal of the Purchase of English Discoveries Seat/Licenses (English Discoveries) from Techno-Ware, Inc. (Sole Source Provider)(Academic Services)

On August 20, 2019, the Board approved the purchase of English Discoveries Seat/Licenses from Techno-Ware, Inc., the sole source provider. The English Discoveries program is designed to improve the English language proficiency levels of Adult Education English for Speakers of Other Languages. English Discoveries uses real-life cross curricular connections and authentic text to make learning relevant to guide communication and collaboration through engaging stories that motivate adult learners. Students are pretested and provided instructional modules tailored to the student's individual needs. The program also supplies instructors with webinars and targeted instructional trainings to improve student outcomes. The goal is to assist adult students in improving their English literacy, therefore increasing their chances of moving into the workforce or the postsecondary arena. 

These licenses from English Discoveries are considered sole-source and are exempt from the bidding process per Florida Department of Education 6A-1.012 purchasing policies as copyrighted materials. Sole-source suppliers are reviewed annually for expenditures and possible new entries to the market. Pursuant to 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.

This agreement may be renewed, upon mutual agreement, for one additional 1-year term. The district may terminate this agreement, with or without cause, upon written notice of such termination provided not less than 30 days prior to the date that such termination is to be effective.

According to United States Census reports, Hillsborough County has a base population of 1.44 million residents, 30.7 percent of whom are non-native non-English language speakers at home, or 442,080 total residents.

With the English Discoveries program, Adult Education will be able to meet the English as a second language acquisition needs of learners in the Tampa Bay area. The program is portable and flexible allowing students the opportunity to be device agnostic. Therefore, adult learners can use the program on their phone, iPad, and/or computer. The program can also be used in multiple settings including classrooms, work, or at home. The programs along with direct instruction has helped Hillsborough County Public Schools exceed the state’s Measurable Skills Gains which reports each districts national accountability.

During fiscal year 2018/2019, there were 2,917 unique student users registered in the program that earned 42,494 contact hours. The calculated cost per reusable student seat was $41.14.  For fiscal year 2019/2020, the number of unique student users increased to 3,585 (a positive increase of 23 percent over fiscal year 2018/2019) and 54,156 student contact hours (a positive increase of 27 percent over fiscal year 2018/2019).  The calculated cost per reusable student seat decreased to $33.47.

With our predicted student enrollment and expected utilization increases, our total number of unique student users will grow to 3,944 that will earn 59,572 contact hours. Our predicted calculated cost per reusable student seat will also decrease to $30.43. 

* Improve Student Achievement

That the Board approve the English Discoveries program proposal so that we can continue to serve our English Language Learners population.

Terry Connor, Deputy Superintendent, Instruction, Academic Services, terry.connor@hcps.net, (813) 272-4221
Warren S. Brooks, Executive Director, Career, Technical, and Adult Education, warren.brooks@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 231-1860
Josalyn Loango, Director, Adult Education, josalyn.loango@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 231-1929

Funds in the amount of $120,000 will be paid by the Adult General Education Grant, Project 3724. The district receives $4.23 per student contact hour which calculates to be $229,080 for fiscal year 2019/2020 and is predicted to increase to $251,989 for fiscal year 2020/2021. The district also receives revenue locally through registration and testing fees as well as state generated funds through student increases in Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System testing.