RFI - Academy 5-15-15.docx

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Training Academy Request for Information

RFEI PADOC 2015-2

May 18, 2015

PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION

A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Training Academy is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to survey the vendor community regarding information on Software as a Service (SaaS) using integrated tablet type devices to advance learning in a residential, educational and training setting.

B. BACKGROUND

Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) training program is a paper driven and labor intensive process with time and dollars spent creating and updating printed training materials. Updating and maintaining training materials including routine changes are difficult and costly due to scarce staff resources and budget dollars. Students are receiving hard copy materials to use during their training and then recollected, stored on site, and redistributed to the next class. Students do not keep the materials as a cost/labor savings for the Department. Approximately 120 to 150 pre-service students attend the basic training program 10 times a year which equates to 1200 to 1500 students. Additionally, the use of technology in the classroom to enhance training effectiveness has grown exponentially over the past 2 decades. High resolution, flat screen devices and access to the internet and cloud-based training solutions will substantially enhance the Department’s capacity to deliver quality training programs, while at the same increasing cost-efficiencies.

C. RESPONSE SUBMISSIONS/SOLUTION DEMONSTRATION

Responses to this RFI are due by June 3, 2015 by 2:00 pm. Responses should be emailed to Mary Ann Higgins –maryhiggin@pa.gov. Any questions regarding this RFI must be submitted in writing via email to Mary Ann Higgins.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is requesting that interested vendor(s) demonstrate their products and solutions for SaaS and tablet type devices for the purpose of delivering and managing staff education and training programs. Demonstrations are not mandatory for a response to this RFI. After review of the submission, vendors will be contacted to schedule demonstrations.

Demonstrations should cover all components listed under the “features and functionality” section, as well as ease of use, and customer support options. Demonstration(s) will be scheduled for one (1) hour sessions and will be held at the Training Academy. The PADOC estimates scheduling demonstrations for the third week of June 2015.

D. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a procurement solicitation. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by Department or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to form a binding contract.

Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

The PADOC is not requesting, and does not require, confidential proprietary information or trade secrets to be included as part of the vendor(s) submissions. Accordingly, information labeled as confidential proprietary information will be returned to the vendor and not considered as part of the RFI submission.

All vendor submissions are subject to a request for public records made under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know-Law, 65 P.S. §67.101, et seq., and may also be subject to disclosure thereunder. If a submission contains confidential proprietary information or trade secrets which are not otherwise identified as such (and which have not therefore been returned to the vendor), it is possible that the vendor’s confidential proprietary information will be disclosed if it is responsive to a Right-to-Know-Law request.

All material submitted shall be considered property of the PADOC. Notwithstanding any vendor copyright designations contained on proposals, the PADOC shall have the right to make copies and distribute information internally and comply with public record or other disclosure requirements under the provisions of any Commonwealth or United States statute or regulation, or rule or order of any court competent jurisdiction.

Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review, nor will they be provided copies of it.

Respondents to this RFI shall not be deemed to be an advisor or consultant to the PADOC. The PADOC will evaluate the information presented and determine any subsequent course of action.

No specific cost or pricing information should be submitted in response to this RFI.

PART II: WORK STATEMENT

A. FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY

RFI Goal – Request information from vendor(s) on Software as a Service (SaaS) while incorporating tablet type devices to advance the PADOC’s learning and training program. Initial use is for approximately 130 students and 20 instructors. The end result will have each student and instructor being issued their own device for the duration of a training program.

Requirements to fulfill this RFI include the following components A. Mobile tablet style device for students and instructors

· Access to internet and control over website accessibility (the facility currently does not have wireless capability)

· Secure mobile device charging station/cabinet and mobile charging capability

· Protective cases for devices

· Tracking of devices

· Central/Admin control of devices

· Wireless access to internet and other devices (e.g. LCD projection units, etc.)

· Portable access ports (e.g. USB)

· Technical and service support

B. SaaS for training and learning on mobile devices

· Store and secure digital content

· Distribute content digitally and electronically

· Display digital content on mobile devices (e.g. lesson plans, presentations, student materials, etc)

· Interface with Commonwealth LSO (the LMS or Learning Management System in SAP)

· Virtual Instructor-Led online classroom

· Student testing and evaluation functions

· Real-time audience response (polling and chatting)

· Note taking capability

· Mobile presentation capability

· Technical and service support

Information provided will assist the PADOC in learning more about the software services and tablet style devices. Please provide a brief response to the questions listed on attachment # 1.