Final-SSM 2024-41 PUR_7776-6.29.23.pdf

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED

SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE

(PUR 7776)

This description of commodities or contractual services intended for purchase from a single source is posted in accordance with Sections 120.57(3) and 287.057(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), and will remain posted for a period of at least 15 business days.

Commodity or Contractual Service Required (commodity or United National Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC), manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate):

86101810- Personnel skills training 86101710- Teaching Training Services

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

60 Months

Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate):

Division of Early Learning, Randall Smyth

Performance and/or Design Requirements (e.g. intended use, function or application, compatibility, requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate):

Section 1002.82(2)(n), F.S. requires the DEL to adopt a program assessment for School Readiness (SR) program providers that measures the quality of teacher-child interactions, including emotional and behavioral support, engaged support for learning, classroom organization, and instructional support for children ages birth to 5 years. CLASS® met the statutory requirement and the DEL adopted it as the

AGENCY: Department of Education, Division of Early Learning

TITLE: Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) Training and Support Services Short description of the commodity or service desired:

Face-to-Face and web-based training, observer calibration, recertification services, and affiliate trainer recertification for Department of Early Learning (DEL) authorized CLASS® observers and technical assistance staff.

CONTACT

Name: Anita Wimberly, Department of Education

Address: 325 West Gaines Street, STE 344 Telephone: 850-245-9289 Email: anita.wimberly@fldoe.org

Internal tracking number, if any: SSM 2024-41

Date posted: 6/29/2023 @ 11:00 AM Last day for receipt of information: 7/24/2023 @ 11:00 AM statewide program assessment for school readiness. Rule 6M.4.740, F.A.C. Program Assessment Requirements for the School Readiness Program requires school readiness providers be assessed annually, unless exempt, using CLASS®. Each assesed provider recieves a composite score average of the classroom observations, serving children from birth through kindergarden entry which is a measure of the quality of teacher-child interactions. Rule 6M-4.500, F.A.C., Child Attendance and Provider Reimbursments, establishes that SR providers must receive a composite score of 4.00 to participate in the SR program. Providers demonstrating higher CLASS® composite scores receive differential payments on top of their regular monthly reimbursement based upon the score. Additionally, program improvement components require training designed to improve teacher-child interactions for providers with a composite score below a 4.00. Based on research of the Early Learning Performance Funding Project (ELPFP), an initiative of the DEL designed to increase program quality, Class Group Coaching (CGC) is one of the quality improvement strategies established for providers on a Quality Improvement Plan due to lower CLASS® composite scores. Training of trainers for this CLASS® course is an ongoing need. CLASS® Certification and Recertification are necessary for maintaining a body of qualified, competent CLASS® observers.

Additionally, section 1002.68(2), F.S., requires each VPK provider participate in a program assessment of each VPK classroom. Like SR, the program assessment measures the quality of teacher-child interactions, including emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support for children ages 3 to 5 years.Rule 6M-8.621, F.A.C., establishes a contract minimum threshold of a 4.00 composite score.

Intended Single Source:

Teachstone Training, LLC

Estimated Dollar Amount:

$21,141,328.08

Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate):

The Division of Early Learning (DEL) previously awarded three single source contracts for CLASS® training and support services to Teachstone Training, LLC. Through market research, previous competitive procurements, and previous single source procurements, the DEL determined that Teachstone Training LLC, owners of the copyrighted CLASS®, is the only contractor able to support, on the scope and scale necessary, Florida’s requirements defined by Rules 6M-4.740 and 6m-8.621, F.A.C., for developing a statewide network of CLASS® observers (aka assessors) and observer trainers through statewide observer training, Class Group Coaching training, affiliated trainer training, web-based observer and trainer certification, re-certification and calibration services, video library, and training supports.

Approved By (names & titles, as appropriate, e.g., requestor, requestor management, information systems, budget, purchasing):

Cari Miller, DEL Chancellor Lisa Zenoz, DEL Deputy Director of Finance and Operations Katerina Maroney, DEL Deputy Director of Programs and Policy James Finch, DEL Financial Administration and Budget Services Manager Jana Musgrove, DEL Contract Supervisor Randall Smyth, DEL Contract Manager

Prospective vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described. If it is determined in writing by the agency, after reviewing any information received from prospective vendors, that the commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source, the agency shall provide notice of its intended decision to enter a single-source purchase contract in the manner specified in Rule 60A-1.045, Florida Administrative Code, and section 120.57(3), F.S.