IL Virtual Course Catalog QA Addendum.docx

Question and Answer Addendum B-28977 SBE: Illinois Virtual Course Program

1. We are currently on the list of approved providers. Do we need to re-apply during this cycle?

ANSWER: Yes.

2. Can you please clarify the documentation needed at the course level? Are you wanting alignments and scopes and sequences?

ANSWER: Yes. Requirements are detailed in section 1.2.1 of the bid document.

3. Will billing be done at the state level based on the 1st of the month reporting?

ANSWER: Billing will not be at the state level but between the districts and course providers.

4. Is the course registration page going to be developed and managed at the state-level, or will each provider develop their own registration page?

ANSWER: Each provider will develop their own registration page. ISBE will create and maintain a course catalog and will provide links from those courses to the provider registration page.

5. What happens if a teacher with an IEIN number has not been hired? Would that course not be offered until a teacher is found?

ANSWER: All courses must be taught by an instructor with an Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN) per the bid specifications.

6. Do you have specific requirements for the references item under Packet 2?

ANSWER: References are not applicable to this solicitation.

7. Can K-5 courses be offered as a package of 4 core courses together rather than individual course enrollments?

ANSWER: You can. Please also list the courses individually so that districts that would only need some of those courses can have the option of registering for that.

8. So, there is never a scenario in this RFP where LEA will just want to utilize online curriculum?

ANSWER: For this RFP, ISBE is seeking virtual course providers that will be using instructors provided by the course providers to deliver instruction.

9. If a vendor is selected, can they add additional courses to the catalog after the initial year?

ANSWER: Yes.

10. Are vendors required to provide teachers also or can we bid just the course and districts use their own teacher?

ANSWER: Vendors are required to provide teachers.

11. Should providers submit trial access so reviewers can access the courses?

ANSWER: The Bidder is welcome to do so but this is not a requirement.

12. Will there be a grace period to get IL certified teachers if we don't currently have them on staff?

ANSWER: Section 1.2.1.6 requires a list of qualified instructors teaching the course, including their IEIN number

13. Will ISBE consider reciprocity regarding state certification of teachers, from the published list of other states allowed in Illinois?

ANSWER: Reciprocity is not an automatic process, nor is it automatically given to those with valid teaching licenses issued by other states. Teachers must obtain an Illinois Professional Educators License, or PEL. Please see https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Professional-Educator-License.aspx for more information.

14. When would the Illinois Certification for teachers be required by? Do providers need to have Illinois-certified teachers available at the time of bid submission (6/13/22) OR at the time of course-offering (Fall 2022)?

ANSWER: This is needed at the time of bid submission as section 1.2.1.6 requires a list of qualified instructors teaching the course, including their IEIN number.

15. Is this [pre-bidder’s conference PowerPoint] deck going to be available?

ANSWER: Yes. The PowerPoint slide deck along with a recording of the pre-bidder’s conference are available in Bid Buy under this solicitation.

16. When is the first date of delivery of courses expected?

ANSWER: This will be up to the provider as to when they initiate course delivery.

17. Will the state-licensure contact follow-up in the published questions/answers regarding reciprocity?

ANSWER: Yes. Reciprocity is not an automatic process, nor is it automatically given to those with valid teaching licenses issued by other states. Teachers must obtain an Illinois Professional Educators License, or PEL. Please see https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Professional-Educator-License.aspx for more information.

18. Does the IL EIN need to be submitted with the course list?

ANSWER: Yes, per 1.2.1.6

19. So essentially, we have a lead up time to hire and onboard teachers as of the fall?

ANSWER: Section 1.2.1.6 requires a list of qualified instructors teaching a course, including their IEIN number.

20. To what degree will ISBE honor the reciprocity of teacher state certification until Illinois certification is in-hand for teachers assigned to courses?

ANSWER: Reciprocity is not an automatic process, nor is it automatically given to those with valid teaching licenses issued by other states. Teachers must obtain an Illinois Professional Educators License, or PEL. Please see https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Professional-Educator-License.aspx for more information.

21. Will ISBE accept exceptions to “Most Favored Nation Clause” in the Pricing Section?

ANSWER: No

22. Regarding “Course Type” on the Course Catalog Template – how should vendors indicate course offerings that do not fall into one of the established categories (Core, Credit Recovery, AP, Pre-AP, CTE, Dual Credit, Transitional Math, Transitional English)? For example, elective course offerings (i.e., foreign languages, Computer Applications, Health, etc.)

Answer: You can list it as an elective

23. Similarly, how should vendors indicate these types of courses on the Required for Graduation field? Many of these courses are accepted for elective credit, but not required.

Answer: If a course is not required for graduation, you can leave this field blank

24. Would you please confirm that K-5 is an acceptable option to add to the Grade Band Served column on the Course Catalog Template?

Answer: Yes, that is fine.

25. Will the State consider courses offered as a bundle? For example, a Grade 5 Course Bundle that includes all four core courses for this grade level at a single price.

Answer: You can. Please also list the courses individually so that districts that would only need some of those courses can have the option of registering for that.

26. Should References be submitted with our response to this solicitation? If so, how many does the State prefer?

Answer: References are not applicable to this solicitation.

27. In the Description of Supplies and Services portion of the State of Illinois Contract, Section 1.8 WHERE SERVICES ARE TO BE PERFORMED, vendors are asked to provide the known or anticipated value of the services to be performed. If we are an awarded vendor we do not know how many course licenses may be purchased. Are we required to enter a dollar amount there? If so, is there an average number of course licenses that you suggest we use to calculate the anticipated value?

Answer: Bidder can enter a percentage or TBD.