EDU0105151_-_ACE.pdf
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- Attached to
- Agency Administered OH|CTR032243
- Contract number
- CTR032243
- Issued by
- Ohio
About this file
This document is a Controlling Board Request from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, seeking approval for a waiver of competitive selection for fiscal year 2026. The request involves Merit International, Inc., a California-based company, and is associated with Bill Numbers HB 96 and HB 169. The document was approved for the Controlling Board meeting on 7/21/2025 and relates to a state-level educational program.
The contract is for the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program, funded through the CARES Act School Relief Fund with a total contract value of $39,451,000. The program provides eligible families with $1,000 non-interest bearing accounts to purchase educational services and enrichment activities, such as day camps, learning pods, tutoring, instrument lessons, and field trips. Eligibility is based on family income, participation in specific government programs, or residence in districts with high chronic absenteeism. The contract runs from 7/21/2025 to 2/28/2026, with the aim of mitigating pandemic-induced learning loss, and the program is currently fully subscribed. Merit International was selected due to the customized nature of their technology and supports for the ACE program.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DEW20260030_ACE_MI_Technology_LLC_SDsigned_23jul2025.pdf | ||
| EDU0105151_Non_Sub_Approval.pdf |
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Text version
Controlling Board
Department of Education and Workforce Education
Controlling Board Number
EDU0105151
Fiscal Year(s)
Bill Number(s)
HB 96 HB 169
Request Type: Operating
Authorization Type Waiver of Competitive Selection ORC
§127.16
Status Approved
Meeting Date 7/21/2025
Request Summary The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce respectfully requests a waiver or competitive selection in an amount up to $39,451,000 from fund 3HS0, ALI 200640 (Federal Coronavirus School Relief) in FY 2026 to contract with Merit International, Inc. to operate the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program. This requested amount includes both program administration and funds for student accounts.
Funding Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount
2026 3HS0 - CARES Act School Relief Fund 200640 - Federal Coronavirus School Relief $39,451,000.00
Explanation The US Department of Education approved the Department's request to be utilize funds during the late liquidation period (until February 26, 2026) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the purposes of providing funding to eligible families the ability to select direct academic services and educational enrichment activities for their student to mitigate pandemic induced learning loss.
The FY 2022-2023 operating budget enacted the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program (ORC 3310.70). Subsequently, the General Assembly modified and extended the program through FY 2024- 2025. The program was funded with a portion of the state's reservation of the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. In May of this year, the US Department of Education approved the Department's request for late liquidation to utilize remaining COVID relief funds to continue this program until February 28, 2026.
Upon approval from the Controlling Board, this contract will allow for the continuation of services but also allow for the program to phase out and with ample communication to Ohio students and families who have relied on these supports.
Below is a summary of the ACE program.
To qualify, children must be at least six years of age but no older than eighteen years of age and have a family income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, participate in a government program where income eligibility is below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, or reside in a district with the highest 10% rate of chronic absenteeism or have an EdChoice eligible school.
The program establishes non-interest bearing accounts of $1,000 for the parent or guardian of eligible students to use for certain extended learning opportunities and educational activities that may not be readily available in a typical school setting as detailed below.
1. If the student has been excused from the compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home instruction under section 3321.04, purchase of curriculum and materials
2. Day camps, including camos for academics, music, and arts
3. Tuition for learning pods
4. Tuition at learning extension centers
5. Educational, learning, or study skills services
6. Field trips to historical landmarks, museums, science centers, and theaters, including admission, exhibit, and program fees
7. Language classes
8. Instrument lessons
9. Tutoring
To request an ACE account, the parent or guardian electronically submits information and documentation to the Department to verify the family meets eligibility for the program. After the Department has determined eligibility, family data will be shared with Merit International, Inc. who will establish accounts for the qualifying families within 14 days of receipt of data. As of last fall, the program was fully subscribed.
More information on the program can be found here: https://education.ohio.gov/OhioACE
The Supplier has merged with another organization which will result in a subsequent non-substantive request to transfer approved funds to the correct Supplier ID. Registration is currently in-process.
Related Requests Controlling Board Request Number
EDU0105058
EDU0105087
Supplier / Release & Permit
Supplier: 0000301103 - Merit International Inc, Millbrae, CA
Agency Fiscal Year
Request Amount
Contract Start
Contract End Account Release & Permit
Number
EDU 2026 $39,451,000.00 7/21/2025 2/28/2026 510063 - OTHER
PERSONAL SERVICE EDU 26/27
https://checkbook.ohio.gov/State/Resources/PayeeSearch.aspx?search=Merit%20International%20Inc
Attachments Type File Name (link) Waiver (Blanket) FY26 and FY27 Blanket Release_Permit Contract Merit International Technology LLC vendor signed
Supplier Questionnaire Supplier Name: Merit International Inc
New Contract
1. What process was used to select a supplier?
Request for Proposal (RFP) DAS issued a waiver to DEW via OhioBuys RTP #325 to issue a competitive opportunity. A public notice solicitation was posted via OhioBuys SRC000002545 resulting in three proposal submissions via bidsubmission@education.ohio.gov. This solicitation was performed for FY 2022 and 2023.
Number of days opportunity was advertised: 8
Supplier City State County Proposal Amount Selected Merit International Inc Millbrae CA $39,200,000.00 Yes
Why was the supplier selected? Other Due to the customized nature of the technology and supports provided by the Supplier for the purposes of the ACE program the Department has elected not to re-solicit for FY 2026 to ensure program continuity. Should this program continue, a solicitation will be performed.
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? No
Is the contractor in compliance with Buy America? Yes
4. Provide the following employee information:
United States Ohio
Total Number of Employees 123 0 Percentage of Women 30.00% 0.00% Percentage of Minorities 27.00% 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 06/30/2025 Agency Director/Authorized Agent
Jill N. Schuler Date 07/21/2025 Controlling Board President https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=7d83e92b-634b-4736-b2cd-4fc0c34a6651 https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=bd8f331a-651d-442a-b907-2e56d4b294ba
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .