1-WK2701-RSI-SS Riverside Insights for Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive, Achievement Language Skills Sole Source.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- WK2701-RSI-SS
- Issued by
- Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Utah
About this file
This is a Notice of Intent to Award a Contract Without Engaging in a Standard Procurement Process issued by the Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) Purchasing Department for the procurement of Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive, Achievement & Language Skills assessment materials from Riverside Insights. The SLCSD Special Education Department, led by Director Erin Anderson and Lead Nurse Judi Yaworsky, has identified this procurement as a sole source acquisition. The requested item includes online access to all testing materials for both students and testers, as well as access to the online scoring application. The estimated contract value is $59,905.92 for a three-year commitment. No specific response deadline or award date is provided in the document; however, the notice indicates that vendors wishing to challenge the sole source determination must submit detailed responses during the published notice period demonstrating the availability of competing sources or comparable alternatives.
The procurement is justified under Section A of the Utah Procurement Code based on the determination that only one source exists for the procurement item. The SLCSD contends that the Woodcock Johnson-IV is the only assessment option that combines verbal, non-verbal, and academic assessments aligned to one another and represents the most current option available on the market. The district notes it is required to transition to the updated version within 12 months of publication and is now 18 months past the publication date. The vendor, Riverside Insights (Federal Tax ID: 83-1794965), is located at One Pierce Place, Suite 900W, Itasca, Illinois 60143, with primary contact Laura Gabrielson. The district has conducted market research including internet searches and conversations with nearby school districts and determined that competing assessment publishers each offer unique products that cannot be compared side-by-side with the Woodcock Johnson-IV. The district currently charges per-pupil pricing for testing capabilities and has previously purchased alternative assessments from competing vendors including the WISC-V, KABC-II NU, CTONI-2, and WPPSI-IV.
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Salt Lake City School District Purchasing Department 995 West Beardsley Place, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 Phone: 801-974-8368 Fax: 801-974-8375 www.slcschools.org
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT ENGAGING IN A STANDARD PROCUREMENT
PROCESS
The Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) Purchasing Department is publishing this notice pursuant to the Utah Procurement Code. The requesting department submitted this form to the Purchasing Department claiming that it intends to award a contract without competition if it is determined by the Purchasing Department, in writing, that:
• there is only one source for the procurement item;
• transitional costs are a significant consideration in selecting a procurement item; or
• the award of a contract is under circumstances, described in rules adopted by the applicable rulemaking authority, that make awarding the contract through a standard procurement process impractical and not in the best interest of the
SLCSD.
In the subsequent pages, the requesting department has identified its justification for wanting to award a contract without engaging in standard procurement process.
Determination of Other Interested Vendors
The intent of this notice is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors that meet the specifications of this notice. Any such vendors must submit the following information:
• The name of the contesting qualified vendor; and
• A detailed explanation, including documentation, showcasing any other competing sources for the procurement item.
In addition, a qualified vendor should include:
• Documentation that vendor can provide a comparable or better procurement item that meets or exceeds the specifications;
• Documentation that vendor can also provide the same proprietary procurement item or an equivalent procurement item; and
• If transitional costs are identified as the justification for this notice, submit a cost comparison of the identified transitional costs with vendor’s anticipated transitional costs.
Regardless of any prior communications with SLCSD or the Purchasing Department, all vendors interested in responding to this notice must submit a response to this posting containing complete responses to all of the information requested above.
DO NOT CONTACT THE CONDUCTING PROCUREMENT UNIT. Any questions regarding this notice, including obtaining additional information, can be obtained through the Purchasing Department during the publication period. No action is required if you agree with this Notice.
If, after the public notice period has passed, the Purchasing Department determines that there are other interested and qualified vendors that meet the specifications of this notice, the Division of Purchasing will not award a contract pursuant to this notice.
If, after the public notice period has passed, no valid challenges have been received, then the Purchasing Department may award a contract to the identified vendor without competition.
Please read the entire form very carefully before responding to this notice.
http://www.slcschools.org/
Department/School Contact Information Department/Division Name: Special Education
Contact Person and Title: Erin Anderson/ Director of Special Education & Judi Yaworsky/Lead Nurse
E-mail Address: Erin.anderson@slcschools.org Telephone Number: 801-578-8483 Does the requestor or anyone at the requesting department/school have any personal, financial, or fiduciary relationship with the proposed vendor? No
Item or Service
Description of procurement item to be purchased: Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive, Achievement & Language Skills
Estimated value of the contract/purchase order: $59,905.92 for 3 year commitment
Freight Cost (F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid):
Contract
1. Insert requested term of contract: _and renewal options: _(The standard contract term is five (5) years. If the requested term will be longer than five years, written justification is required.)
2. The Department/School may not make the procurement until the solicitation process is completed and a contract is written and signed by the Department/School, the vendor, and the Purchasing Department.
X Purchase Order 1. If the total purchase will be greater than $1,000.00 the Department/School may not make the procurement until after the solicitation process is completed, the PO is signed by the Purchasing Department, and the PO is delivered to both the Department/School and the vendor.
Vendor Information
Vendor Name: Riverside Insights Vendor Contact Person: Laura Gabrielson Vendor E-mail Address: laura.gabrielson@riversideinsights.com Vendor Telephone Number: 320-333-3033 Vendor Ordering Address: One Pierce Place, Suite 900W
Itasca, IL 60143 Vendor Remittance Address:
All items in the above section are required.
Complete the following if no vendor number exists in BusinessPLUS (IFAS):
Vendor Federal Tax ID# (TIN): (9 Digits): 83-1794965
Type of Vendor: For-Profit Corporation
CHECK THE BOX THAT IDENTIFIES WHY A CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER SHOULD BE AWARDED
WITHOUT ENGAGING IN A STANDARD PROCUREMENT PROCESS:
X There is only one source for the procurement item. Complete section A
Transitional costs are a significant consideration in selecting a procurement item and the results of a cost-benefit analysis demonstrate that transitional costs are unreasonable or cost-prohibitive, and that the award of a contract without engaging in a standard procurement process is in the best interest of the procurement unit
Complete section B
The award of a contract is under circumstances, described in Utah Administrative Code R33-8, that make awarding the contract through a standard procurement process impractical and not in the best interest of the procurement unit.
Complete section C
SECTION A: ONLY ONE SOURCE
1. What is unique about this procurement item to justify an award of contract without engaging in a standard procurement process? (Explain in detail why the service or product is only available from a single supplier.)
There are a number of standardized cognitive and academic assessments produced in the U.S. We currently use the WJ-IV.
We are required to transition to the most updated version of the program, if we want to continue to use it, within 12 months of it being published. It is 18 months since publication. Therefore, if we want to continue to use this project, we must transition to the most current version. When compared to peer options, this is the only option with Verbal, Non-verbal and academic assessments that all align with one another as well as the most current on the market. The WISC hasn’t been updated in 20 years, which by testing standards, should be out of use.
2. Could the procurement item be reasonably modified to allow for competition?
No- we have purchased all of the other products from the competing peers so we have a variety of options.
3. Explain the market research performed.
Internet research, conversation with other school districts near by
4. What research have you conducted to ensure the requested procurement item is not available on an existing district or state cooperative contract?
Each assessment writer has their own purchasing process and none of it is runt through the state beasue you have have to have a specific licence to purchase it.
5. If there is only one source for the procurement item, list the names of other similar vendors contacted, contact person, and a summary of their response, Each other publisher has its own unique assessment. They cannot be compared side by side because they each do things slightly differently.
WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children): Measures overall cognitive ability for ages 6–16.
https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc (We own) DAS-II (Differential Ability Scales): Assesses conceptual and reasoning abilities for ages 2–17.
https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc (We don’t own) KABC-II NU (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children): Focuses on problem-solving and processing, designed to be culturally fair.
https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc (We own) CTONI-2 (Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence): Measures intelligence through nonverbal tasks.
https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc (We own) WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence): Tests cognitive development for children ages 2–7 https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc (We own)
SECTION B: TRANSITIONAL COSTS – If you have selected Section B you must also complete Attachment A – Cost Benefit Analysis
1. Describe the existing equipment, technology, software, accessories, replacement parts, or service, hereafter referred to as equipment; include the original purchase price and date of purchase for the existing equipment.
On-line access to all testing materials. This means both the student and tester information. The on-line scoring app. The company charges us per pupil in case we need to test every child in the district.
2. Please supply the following:
a. Procurement method that was used to purchase the existing equipment/service? (IFB, RFP, Sole Source):
https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/featured-topics/cognitive-tools-resources/k-12-education.html?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTXEdbUwxmf8CDHJOcZlaD3wN_cMCqYaRmmua8uT6AGnFHpc
b. Bid number, P.O. number, Requisition number, or sole source number for the existing equipment/service:
c. Contract number for the existing equipment/service:
3. Complete “Attachment A - Cost-Benefit Analysis”, as required by Utah Procurement Code §63G-6a-802 that demonstrates transitional costs are unreasonable or cost-prohibitive.
SECTION C: STANDARD PROCUREMENT PROCESS IMPRACTICABLE
1.
Cite the applicable rule from Utah Administrative Code R33-8 that provides awarding the contract through a standard procurement process as impractical and not in the best interest of the procurement unit under the circumstances; including any supporting documentation.
2. Please supply the following, if applicable:
a. Procurement method that was used to purchase the existing equipment? (IFB, RFP, Sole Source):
b. Bid number, P.O. #, Requisition #, or sole source number for the existing equipment/services:
c. Contract number for the existing equipment/services
Administration Approval:
Authorized Department/School Administrator Date
Recommend Award: Final Approval by Purchasing Director:
SLCSD Purchasing Agent Date Tyler Barnes, Asst. Director of Purchasing (or designee) Date
Salt Lake City School District Purchasing Department 995 West Beardsley Place, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 Phone: 801-974-8368 Fax: 801-974-8375 www.slcschools.org
ATTACHMENT A – COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Utah Code Annotated §63G-6a-802 (Utah Procurement Code) anticipates instances where the cost to transition from a product or services is unreasonable or cost-prohibitive. These costs are referred to as transitional costs by definition.
Transitional costs means the costs of changing from an existing provider of a procurement item to another provider of that procurement item; or from an existing type of procurement item to another type; includes training costs; conversion costs;
compatibility costs; costs associated with system downtime; disruption of service costs; staff time necessary to implement the change; installation costs; and ancillary software, hardware, equipment, or construction costs; and does not include the costs of preparing for or engaging in a procurement process; or contract negotiation or drafting costs.
Because there are vendors who “could” compete for the product or service (this request is not a sole source) if not for the transitional costs, the law requires additional details to support the determination in the form of a cost benefit analysis. The purpose is to flush out the figures to support the determination. This form is to be completed for all proposed contracts/purchases where transitional costs (Section B) are cited for not competing the opportunity. The form must be completed in its entirety and be submitted with the main form above.
Original Purchase of Current Product/Service
Continuation with Current Provider
(no transition costs)
Costs to Transition to New Product/Service
Acquisition Price
Training Costs
Implementation Costs
Conversion Costs
Compatibility Costs
System Downtime Costs
Staff Time
Other Cost
Total
Comments to support the figures provided.
http://www.slcschools.org/
THIS SECTION TO BE FILLED OUT BY SLCSD PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
The public notice period shall be (Check the box that applies):
a. If the cost of the procurement exceeds $50,000 then the publication of the notice must be made in accordance with Section 63G-6a-112.
b.
Procurements under $50,000.00 are not required to be published, but may be published at the discretion of the SLCSD Director of Purchasing Published: Not Published:
c. Publication is not required for a procurement pursuant to a trial use contract.
d.
Publication is waived for an award of contract without engaging in a standard procurement process procurement:
For any procurement item identified in Utah Administrative Code R33-8-101(7)(b)(i-viii);
For award to a specific supplier, service provider, or contractor is a condition of a donation that will fund the full cost of the supply, service, or construction item;
For other circumstances as determined in writing by the chief procurement officer or head of a procurement unity with independent procurement authority.
The Terms and Conditions that will be attached to the awarded agency contract/purchase order:
District Contract: Goods Services IT for DTS only Att. B IT Non-DTS (include DTS Exception Form, if applicable) Purchase Order: Goods Services IT for DTS only Att. B IT Non-DTS (include DTS Exception Form, if applicable)
For Purchasing Department Use After the Public Posting Period: Agent: Wendy Kemp
Notice#: WK2701-RSI-SS Riverside Insights for Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive, Achievement & Language Skills Sole Source
Commodity Code(s):
# of Vendors Sent To:
Additional Research & Comments:
Summary of Contest(s) Received & Determination:
| SECTION A: ONLY ONE SOURCE |
| SECTION B: TRANSITIONAL COSTS – If you have selected Section B you must also complete Attachment A – Cost Benefit Analysis |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .