Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Micro-Enabling Resources, Inc. for Computer HARDWARE Support and Evaluation for Visually Impaired Grant – $65,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

Funded by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) is charged with providing statewide services (braille, large print and recorded/digital academic materials) to Florida school districts in a timely manner. As a required component of the FIMC-VI Project Application, the instructional materials delivery system hardware must be supported and evaluated on a regular basis. The consultant will:

• Provide onsite, weekly hardware and network support related to the specially-designed database software, FIMC-VI Order and Inventory System, DataLNX-IRC,
• Evaluate, maintain and update network and install appropriate hardware,
• Collaborate with computer software vendor to ensure compatibility,
• Provide corresponding staff training on the use of the network and hardware, including updates as needed, and
• Provide assistance to Florida’s school districts including, but not limited to student assistive technology evaluations (determination of appropriate hardware and software according to student needs.)

Micro-Enabling, Inc. has been successfully performing this function since March 2003. Approval of this contract provides continuity of necessary services to FIMC-VI.

Goal 1 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.

Funds of $65,000 are included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget (Project 1217) for the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. There is no additional cost to the District.