Imagination Library Program

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) intends to award a sole source contract to United Ways of the Pacific Northwest for managing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program in Washington state. The contract covers the management and expansion of a book gifting initiative that provides free, age-appropriate books to children ages zero to five, regardless of family income. Key deliverables include administering funds to cover book costs, developing statewide engagement, and supporting affiliate groups across multiple Washington counties. In 2023, the program delivered over 780,000 books to nearly 115,000 children, with this contract seeking to ensure continuity of programming. The procurement is structured as a sole source notification with consultants required to submit capability statements by 3:00 pm on Friday, June 6, 2024. The contract term will run from the date of DES approval through June 30, 2025, covering jurisdictions across Washington state including counties such as Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Yakima, and many others. Evaluation will likely focus on the organization's existing partnerships, implementation capabilities, and expertise in recruiting statewide partners.

The contract appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises and is directly targeted to United Ways of the Pacific Northwest as the sole source provider. The funding sources include state dollars and federal programs like Title I, Title II, and School Improvement grants, with the contract valued at $215,000. Notably, while the program typically requires a 50% match from affiliate groups, this contract will cover up to 100% of costs to address a funding gap that emerged from rapid program expansion in 2023. The incumbent vendor, United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, was selected based on their proven track record of program implementation and existing statewide network. The contract aims to support the infrastructure of the Imagination Library program, ensuring continued book distribution across Washington's diverse counties and communities. No specific technology integration requirements were mentioned in the documentation, suggesting the focus is primarily on program management and book distribution.