Approve Renewal 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, Florida Instructional Materials for the Visually Impaired - FIMC-VI)

We request approval of the renewal Agreement for Technical Services with Micro-Enabling Resources, Inc., to provide computer hardware support and evaluation for the instructional materials delivery system for the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired.

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’s school districts in a timely manner. The consultant will:

• Provide onsite, weekly hardware and network support required to ensure the continuous operation of the specially-designed database software, FIMC-VI Order and Inventory System, DataLNX-IRC,
• Evaluate and install new acquisitions and/or hardware updates,
• Collaborate with computer software vendors 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 1517) FIMC-VI.