Agenda Item
iv. RFQu 24-573 K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages Instructional Resources
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the RFQu 24-573 K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages Instructional Resources contract with Vista Higher Learning to support K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages instruction. This vendor is the most responsive and responsible bidder to provide English for Speakers of Other Languages instructional resources in print and/or digital formats for teachers and students for more than $100,000 but not to exceed a total contracted amount of $20,000,000.
K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Instructional Resources
Grades/Specific Courses
Vendor
ESOL Grade 4
Vista Higher Learning
ESOL Grade 5
Vista Higher Learning
ESOL Grade 6
Vista Higher Learning
ESOL / 6-8
Vista Higher Learning
ELA ESL 7-8 (LAB)
Vista Higher Learning
Communication Skills I
Vista Higher Learning
Communication Skills in Math
Vista Higher Learning
Communication Skills II
Vista Higher Learning
Oral Communication in Content Areas
Vista Higher Learning
Communication Skills in Science
Vista Higher Learning
Communication Skills in Social Studies
Vista Higher Learning
Reading and Listening in the Content Areas
Vista Higher Learning
Writing in the Content Areas
Vista Higher Learning
Reading and Writing in Science
Vista Higher Learning
Reading and Writing in Social Studies
Vista Higher Learning
Academic Language of Science and Math
Vista Higher Learning
Why: According to Board Policy IFA-Instructional Materials and Content, the District must provide access to instructional resources including, but not limited to, textbooks and supplemental materials. Board Policy IFA requires the presentation of recommendations for textbook adoption to the Board of Education.
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is seeking to adopt and purchase K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages instructional and supplemental resources. Through the curriculum adoption process, DCSD aims to advance the mission, vision, and values by (a) improving access to meaningful content, (b) increasing awareness of sound instructional practices, (c) providing technological assets that promote creativity, connections, and innovation, and (d) engaging students in rigorous activities, assessments. The goal of the adoption is to provide up-to-date, research-based, relevant, and appropriate instructional resources that effectively support teaching and learning and offer greater access to relevant print and/or digital resources.
Details: In accordance with the formal procurement procedures published by the Georgia Department of Education, the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued December 14, 2023. Electronic notification was sent to 22 vendors from the DCSD vendor list, 1,559 vendors through the State of Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR), and 253 vendors through IonWave, the DCSD solicitation portal. The solicitation was advertised in the Champion Newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks beginning December 14, 2023 and December 21, 2023. Three (3) proposals were received on January 23, 2024 for the K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages. The three (3) proposals were deemed responsive and evaluated on the following criteria: alignment to Georgia English for Speakers of Other Languages Standards, research-evidence based instructional strategies/resources for diverse learners, quality of supporting texts, support for improved literacy practices, complimentary digital resources, data privacy, set-up costs, initial training, and ongoing support.
The contract will include up to four, one-year extension options contingent upon DCSD’s offer to such an extension, the successful offeror’s acceptance, and the approval of the DeKalb County Board of Education to extend the contract.
Financial impact: The total contract amount will not exceed $20,000,000.
ESSER Federal Charge Codes:
448.1000.553200.30521.7210.4190.8010.035.2022
COMMUNICATION-WEB SUBSCRPT/LIC
448.1000.561000.30521.7210.4190.8010.035.2022
SUPPLIES
448.1000.564000.30521.7210.4190.8010.035.2022
DIGITAL/ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS
448.1000.564100.30521.7210.4190.8010.035.2022
TEXTBOOKS - PRINTED
448.1000.564200.30521.7210.4190.8010.035.2022
BOOKS (OTHER THAN TEXTBOOKS)
Contact: Dr. Ron Adams, Coordinator, Educational Media and Instructional Materials, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-1471
Mrs. Lummie Baker, Director, Educational Media and Instructional Materials, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-2421
Dr. Evelyn G. Hall, Director, English Learners, Division of Student Services, 678-676-6602
Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731
Dr. Kimberlynn Weston, Director, Teaching and Learning, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0129
Effective: June 11, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
Status: Solicitation Reviewed and Approved by General Counsel
February 2, 2024
RE: Award Recommendation Letter RFQu 24-573 K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages
Instructional Resources
Greetings,
RFQu 24-573 K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages Instructional Resources was formally
processed through the Purchasing Department at your request. Response(s) to the solicitation were
received in the Purchasing Department on January 23, 2024.
Three (3) proposals were reviewed and three (3) deemed responsive to the requirements of the
solicitation. Please find attached the responsive proposals and the Abstract Sheet, which is the record of
the public opening/acknowledgement.
Please take the following course of action:
1) Convene the evaluation team. Remember that each individual serving as an evaluator must have a
completed and signed Solicitation Evaluator Agreement on file in the Purchasing Department. Your
team will work together to review and evaluate elements of each response in comparison to the
solicitation requirements.
2) Using this form, please advise the Purchasing Department as soon as possible of your award
recommendation(s) and the date you anticipate presenting your recommendation of award to the
Board of Education for approval.
REMINDER: Include the entire bid/rfp number and bid/rfp name in your Board of
Education item documentation so that we can later match the resulting Superintendent’s award
directive to your solicitation and produce an award letter.
3) If your Recommended Award Vendor is not the lowest priced offering, you must provide the
Purchasing Department your rationale for not awarding to the lowest responsive respondent. Use
an additional sheet to provide your rationale.
4) If there is only one line item on the solicitation or if there are multiple line items recommended for
award and to a single Award Vendor, simply fill in the information below for Recommended Award
Vendor #1.
5) If there are multiple line items to be awarded and/or if you recommend splitting the award to
multiple Award Vendors, you will need to fill in the name for each Recommended Award Vendor on
the lines below and attach the Tabulation indicating which items are to be awarded to each
Recommended Award Vendor.
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd | Stone Mountain, GA 30083
678.676.0110 | www.dekalbschoolsga.org
Page 2 of 2
6) Upon receipt of your award recommendation(s), the Purchasing Department will notify the Risk
Department of your award recommendation and contact the vendor(s) to request final and fully
compliant insurance certificates prior to issuance of the award letter and prior to commencement
or delivery of services under this solicitation.
Please email to sierra_mcghee-adams@dekalbschoolsga.org .
Vista Higher Learning
_______________________________
Recommended Award Vendor #1
June 10, 2024
________________________________
Anticipated BOE Presentation Date
_______________________________
Recommended Award Vendor #2
May 9, 2024
________________________________
Your Signature / Today’s Date
_______________________________
Recommended Award Vendor #3
_______________________________
Recommended Award Vendor #4
_______________________________
Recommended Award Vendor #5
Please feel free to reach out to me at 678 676-0120 with any questions or concerns. Your prompt response
is appreciated. Thank you.
Regards,
Carla L. Smith
Carla L. Smith
Executive Director, Vendor Services
CLS\sma
Attachment – Proposal(s)
C: Lummie Baker
Lenisera Barnes-Bodison
Ronald Adams
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd | Stone Mountain, GA 30083
678.676.0110 | www.dekalbschoolsga.org