Contract 117225

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) awarded a Contract for Services (No. 117225 O4) to Jennifer Lynn Burkey, an independent contractor, on October 1, 2026, for a one-year performance period extending through September 30, 2027. The contract is valued at $25,000, with an additional $3,000 available for reimbursable expenses. Ms. Burkey will serve as a Step Up to Quality representative and coach, delivering professional development and training support to early childhood programs and professionals throughout Nebraska under the oversight of the NDE Office of Early Childhood.

The contractor's compensation is structured on a tiered hourly rate basis, ranging from $25 per hour for travel time exceeding one hour per trip to $85 per hour for training development activities. Specific rates include $30 per hour for training attendance and planning, $70 per hour for coaching services, $45 per hour for Step Up to Quality spokesperson duties, and $30 per hour for document review. Contract funding is distributed across three sources: $11,500 from Step Up to Quality (40%), $2,000 from Technical Assistance (20%), and $11,500 from the Child Care and Development Fund (40%). The contract is governed by Nebraska law and includes standard provisions regarding confidentiality, intellectual property ownership by NDE, and immediate termination rights for breach or funding unavailability.