Broadband Literacy Classes for Orange County Residents

Orange County, Florida is seeking proposals for a Broadband Literacy Classes program (Solicitation Y23-05-SS) targeting low to moderate income senior residents aged 65 and older. The county is specifically procuring a comprehensive technology education curriculum from the From the Heart Charitable Foundation, which has been identified as a sole source provider. The program aims to deliver technology skills across nine key areas: device understanding, web browsing, wireless protocols, search engine usage, mobile device navigation, email management, app and web-form interactions, cybersecurity principles, and modern technology overview. Responses must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov e-Procurement Platform by 4:00 pm EST on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Respondents are strictly prohibited from hand-delivering, mailing, faxing, telephoning, or emailing offers, with any submissions outside the designated platform being automatically rejected. The curriculum is expected to provide fundamental broadband technology skills, with a preference for a framework built on existing successful programs.

The solicitation appears to have a targeted, sole-source approach, which may limit competitive bidding. While the document does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements, it does indicate potential flexibility in participant demographics, considering participants aged 18-64 who are involved in other county programs where broadband literacy is critical. The program seems focused on the From the Heart Charitable Foundation as the primary curriculum provider, suggesting a potential direct award or highly restricted procurement process. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available documentation. The program's scope suggests a localized initiative targeting technology education for seniors, with potential indirect benefits to Orange County's broader digital inclusion and technology literacy objectives. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Ana Villalona to determine eligibility and program-specific details.