EDU0105149_-_MCOECN_Nutrition_and_Literacy_Data_Collection_Initiatives.pdf

Controlling Board

Department of Education and Workforce Education

Controlling Board Number

EDU0105149

Fiscal Year(s) 2026 &2027 Bill Number(s)

HB 96

Request Type: Operating

Authorization Type Waiver of Competitive Selection ORC

§127.16

Status Approved

Meeting Date 6/2/2025

Request Summary The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce respectfully requests a waiver of competitive selection in an amount up to $1,128,613 in FY 2026 and $1,167,400 in FY 2027 from both state and federal funding sources to contract with the Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network (MCOECN) to facilitate data collection for nutrition and literacy initiatives.

Funding Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount

2026 3670 - School Food Services 200607 - School Food Services $52,100.00 2026 3HF0 - FEDERAL EDUCATION GRANTS 200649 - Federal Education Grants $530,150.00 2026 GRF - General Revenue (GRF) 200505 - School Meal Programs $530,150.00 2026 GRF - General Revenue (GRF) 200566 - Literacy Improvement $16,213.00 2027 3670 - School Food Services 200607 - School Food Services $107,100.00 2027 3HF0 - FEDERAL EDUCATION GRANTS 200649 - Federal Education Grants $530,150.00 2027 GRF - General Revenue (GRF) 200505 - School Meal Programs $530,150.00

Explanation This request encompasses three contracts, two of which support of the office of Child Nutrition and span both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

The contracts for the office of Child Nutrition are collaborative in nature, with the relationships as follows; the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will engage the Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network (MCOECN), and the Department of Job and Family Services to accomplish the following:

Direct Certification (federally funded) Maintenance, support, and hosting for the Child Nutrition Direct Certification module which can be accessed within the Ohio District Data Exchange application.

This collaborative effort will include the following:

1. 24/7 access with authentication through OHID

2. Education Management Information System (EMIS) reporting data is leveraged

3. The ability for specific data to be uploaded or modified to improve matching and benefit eligibility

4. Benefit files provided by ODJFS and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)

5. Automated matching algorithm daily based on updates

6. Automated matching algorithm weekly statewide

7. User friendly user interface for matching refinement

8. Planned enhancements

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (state and federal funding) Call center personnel, web maintenance services, data collection, student application, statewide database development, income verification to support and respond to Summer Electronic Benefit distributions, inquiries, problem resolution in collaboration with the Department and ODJFS.

This collaborative effort will include the following:

1. Employ customer service associates to assist schools, families, childcare programs, and other relevant parties to address calls and inquiries related to the Summer EBT program.

2. Collect data and facilitate secure data transfers to ensure eligible students receive a Summer EBT card.

3. Register a new web domain which will enable participating schools and entities to view data related to Summer EBT distributions. Data will be securely hosted to ensure only those with specified access are able to view data.

4. Develop a student application, a process for income verification which includes communication with families to provide status updates, and develop a verification process for student enrollment.

Literacy Training Reporting (state funding) The Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network ("MCOECN") in collaboration with the Department of Education and Workforce will provide services related to the completion of Department authorized literacy training by Ohio educators. Data will be reported by each school district, community school, and STEM school.

This contract is in response to provisions originally included in Am. Sub. H.B. 33 related to statewide literacy improvement efforts. Schools and districts are required to compensate educators with $1,200 or $400 stipends upon successful completion of Department created training in evidenced-based strategies for effective literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading. In order to reimburse schools and districts for the cost of providing these stipends, the Department will engage MCOECN to create a reporting mechanism for schools and districts to receive payment. For continuity the Department intends to contract with MCOECN for the remainder of this limited engagement.

This work will include the following deliverables which have been broken down into workstreams:

Workstream 1- Project Management, Status and Data Reports to be made available through three secure access dashboards: monthly stipends submissions by organization, cumulative stipends submissions, and district summary of professional development by track.

Workstream 2- Data Collection Maintenance. MCOECN will maintain a web-based application for data collection utilizing unique access for each district and school. MCOECN will provide technical support and day to day application management.

Workstream 3- Help Desk and User Support Services MCOECN will provide support and assistance for tier 1 level help desk tickets submitted. This work will also include quality assurance to review proof of payment and course work completion.

Related Requests Controlling Board Request Number

EDU0105086

EDU0105031

EDU0105115

Supplier / Release & Permit

Supplier: 0000221337 - MANAGEMENT COUNCIL OF THE OHIO EDUCATION, COLUMBUS, OH Franklin

Agency Fiscal Year

Request Amount

Contract Start

Contract End Account Release & Permit

Number

EDU 2026 $1,128,613.00 7/1/2025 6/30/2026 510063 - OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICE EDU 26/27

EDU 2027 $1,167,400.00 7/1/2026 6/30/2027 510063 - OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICE EDU 26/27

Attachments Type File Name (link) Waiver (Blanket) FY26 and FY27 Blanket Release_Permit Single Source MCOECN-Sole Source ORC3301.075 Contract DEW20260029 SOR Stipends Vendor Signed Contract DEW20260017 MCOECN SEBT 26278 Vendor Signed (002) Contract DEW20260024 MCOECN Direct Cert Vendor Signed (002) https://checkbook.ohio.gov/State/Resources/PayeeSearch.aspx?search=MANAGEMENT%20COUNCIL%20OF%20THE%20OHIO%20EDUCATION https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=d41efa61-5d70-496b-a6e9-b6dfcb018f6c https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=44d8dec6-e74f-4197-b388-a96c09977280 https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=195adc36-8ce4-4a91-bbff-0538f332691c https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=d714617c-a909-47ed-85a6-2372d84cc4bc https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=659d70b2-530c-47c3-b8ed-173879b7cfc5

Supplier Questionnaire Supplier Name: MANAGEMENT COUNCIL OF THE OHIO EDUCATION

New Contract

1. What process was used to select a supplier?

Single Source, Other The Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network (MCOECN) has previously contracted with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to fulfill federal reporting requirements. MCOECN is considered a single-source by the Department in order to continue to fulfill these requirements, specifically the reporting and data collection process.

Number of days opportunity was advertised: 0

Supplier City State County Proposal Amount Selected

MANAGEMENT COUNCIL OF THE OHIO

EDUCATION COLUMBUS OH Franklin $467,050.00 Yes

Why was the supplier selected? Other Please see above explanation. ORC3301.075 has been attached to serve as a single-source letter.

2. Is the supplier already performing work under this contract?

No

3. Buy Ohio/Buy American Compliance Is the contractor in compliance with Buy Ohio? Yes

Is the contractor in compliance with Buy America? Yes

4. Provide the following employee information:

United States Ohio

Total Number of Employees 0 0 Percentage of Women 0.00% 0.00% Percentage of Minorities 0.00% 0.00% Total Number of Employees 103 94 Percentage of Women 59.00% 52.00% Percentage of Minorities 12.00% 12.00% Total Number of Employees 0 0 Percentage of Women 0.00% 0.00% Percentage of Minorities 0.00% 0.00% Total Number of Employees 0 0 Percentage of Women 0.00% 0.00% Percentage of Minorities 0.00% 0.00%

5. Are subcontractors being used?

No

6. Provide future renewal schedules:

Fiscal Year Beginning Date Ending Date Total Amount

Total: $0.00

Agency Contact Aaron Rausch, Chief of Budget and School Funding

Phone: 614-995-9936 Email:

Aaron.Rausch@education.ohio.gov

Signatures

Stephen D. Dackin Date 05/12/2025 Agency Director/Authorized Agent

Jill N. Schuler Date 06/02/2025 Controlling Board President