DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Bruck, CEO
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Purchase of Interactive Display with TeachSmart Boards, iStartSmart Mobile Tablets and iStartSmart Pre-K Computer Learning Centers from Hatch, Inc.
SUMMARY:
This item requests Board consideration for Pre-K 4 SA staff to utilize the General Services Administration (GSA) cooperative with Hatch, Inc. to purchase eleven (11) Interactive Display with TeachSmart boards for use in new Pre-K 4 SA classrooms during the 2016-17 school year in an amount not to exceed $87,000.00, and the purchase of iStartSmart Mobile Tablets and iStartSmart Pre-K Computer Learning Centers for Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant awardees in an amount not to exceed $66,000.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Interactive Display with TeachSmart boards operate as part of a fully integrated system that includes a large monitor with interactive whiteboard software, a computer with Windows 7 Professional software and TeachSmart Early Learning software package. The boards use DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology to detect and respond to touch interactions on the interactive display board surface. Students can use their fingers or a pen to write, draw and interact with content on the board’s surface or students working together can use natural multi-touch gestures. The boards are currently in use in classrooms at each of the four Education Centers. For the 2016-17 school year, an additional eleven (11) boards will be purchased and installed in each of the new classrooms. The estimated amount for the purchase of eleven (11) Interactive Display with TeachSmart boards for new classrooms is $87,000.00.
In addition, this year as part of the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grants program, Pre-K 4 SA will purchase iStartSmart Mobile Tablets and iStartSmart Pre-K Computer Learning Centers for up to three grant awardees requesting classroom technology. On November 6, 2015, Pre-K 4 SA released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to public/charter schools, private/parochial schools and childcare centers with an application deadline of December 18, 2015. Pre-K 4 SA staff convened three committees of specialists in each of the three applicant categories to review grants received to recommend programs for the Board of Directors approval in April 2016. Contracts for funds will begin for the 2016-17 school year. The estimated amount for these purchases for the Competitive Grant awardees with Hatch, Inc. is not to exceed $66,000.00.
These items will be purchased through the General Services Administration (GSA) cooperative, contract number GS-35F-0496J, in compliance with the provisions of Texas Local Government Code 271.103.
This item will be forwarded to the Economic Development Department (EDD) and is pending Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) review.
ISSUE:
Pre-K 4 SA staff requests Board consideration to authorize staff to utilize the General Services Administration (GSA) cooperative with Hatch, Inc., to purchase eleven (11) Interactive Display with TeachSmart boards for use in the new classrooms in an amount not to exceed $87,000.00 and to purchase iStartSmart Mobile Tablets and iStartSmart Pre-K Computer Learning Centers for the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant awardees in an amount not to exceed $66,000.00.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board does not approve Pre-K 4 SA staff to utilize the GSA cooperative with Hatch, Inc. the Corporation could lose the pricing advantage afforded through a previous competitvely bid cooperative agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for classroom purchases in the amount of $87,000 are budgeted and available in the Pre-K 4 SA Education Center Expansion Project as approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Funds for the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant purchases in the amount of $66,000 are included in the FY 2017 Proposed Budget contingent upon approval by the Board of Directors and City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends for the Board to approve for Pre-K 4 SA staff to utilize the GSA cooperative with Hatch, Inc. to purchase eleven (11) Interactive Display with TeachSmart boards for use in the new Pre-K 4 SA classrooms in an amount not to exceed $87,000.00 and iStartSmart Mobile Tablets and iStartSmart Pre-K Computer Learning Centers for the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant awardees in an amount not to exceed $66,000.00.