Agenda Item
i. Renewal for Contract RFQ 24-565 for Athletic Trainers for 19 Traditional High Schools Provided by Northside Hospital (Not to Exceed $1,900,000)
Summary: Presented by: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access and Opportunity, Division of Access and Opportunity
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the second of four, one-year renewals for RFQ 24-565 Northside Athletic Trainers provided by Northside Hospital, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $1,900,000.
Why: Athletic trainers in schools are vital to the overall health, safety, and well-being of students involved in sports and physical activities. They educate students, coaches, and parents about injury prevention, proper techniques, and the importance of maintaining overall physical health. This education helps create a safer sporting environment.
Athletics trainers provide valuable support to coaches by offering expert advice on injury management and prevention strategies, which allows coaches to focus more on training and game strategy. Athletic trainers help schools develop and implement emergency action plans for athletic events, which ensure that there are protocols in place for handling various types of medical emergencies.
Overall, athletic trainers play a crucial role in creating safer and more effective athletic environments in schools, benefiting students, coaches, and the broader school community. The contract allows for full-time athletic trainers at each of the traditional nineteen high schools.
The requested renewal aligns with Strategic Goal Area 1: Student Academic Success with Equity and Access and Strategic Goal Area 2: School, Family, and Community Engagement.
Details: In accordance with the formal procurement procedures published by the Georgia Department of Education, the Request for Qualification (RFQ) was issued on March 7, 2024. Two responsive bids were received and evaluated by a four‑member Athletics Department committee. Northside Hospital met all requirements and was determined to be the most responsive vendor.
The renewal is aligned with the scope of work submitted in RFQ-24-565, and the renewal spend limit is not to exceed $1,900,000.
Financial impact: The total budget for RFQ 24-565 is allocated from cost code (607.3200.530000.00267.7090.9990.8010.092.0000)
Contact: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access and Opportunity, Division of Access and Opportunity, 678.676.0485
Mrs. Myss Johnson-Jelks, Executive Director of Athletics, Division of Access & Opportunity, 678.676.1824
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY
Northside Hospital Athletic Trainers
June 2026
Chronology of RFQ 24-565: Athletic Trainers for Traditional High Schools
• March 7, 2024 – In accordance with formal procurement procedures published by the
Georgia Department of Education, RFQ 24-565 was issued for Athletic Trainers for
Traditional High Schools in the DeKalb County School District.
• March 2024 – Electronic notifications for the solicitation were distributed to:
o 41 vendors from the DeKalb County School District vendor list
o 194 vendors through the State of Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR)
o 175 vendors through Ion Wave, the District’s solicitation portal
• June 11, 2024 – A Notice of Award was issued to Northside Hospital after it was
determined to be the most responsive vendor.
• September 9, 2024 – The DeKalb County Board of Education approved an amendment
to the original RFQ 24-565 award, increasing the total spend limit from $1,200,000 to
$1,900,000.
o This amendment followed a review of the submitted bid amount and scope of
work. The review determined the original spend limit was insufficient to support
full-time athletic trainers, supervision and management oversight, supplies, staff
development, and quality assurance for all 19 traditional high schools for one
year.
• June 9, 2025 – The DeKalb County Board of Education approved the first of four one-
year renewals of RFQ 24-565, awarded to Northside Hospital, Inc., in an amount not to
exceed $1,900,000.
• June 15, 2026 – Approval is requested from the DeKalb County Board of Education at its
June 15, 2026, meeting to renew RFQ 24-565 in an amount not to exceed $1,900,000.
o Approval will allow Northside Hospital to continue providing athletic trainer
services for the district’s 19 traditional high schools.