Intent to award sole source - apex learn

The South Carolina Department of Corrections is pursuing a sole source procurement for APEX Learning's digital curriculum platform, targeting the Palmetto Unified School District serving approximately 2,500 student inmates across 21 facilities in 16 counties. The procurement seeks a comprehensive web-based curriculum solution aligned with South Carolina academic standards and approved by the State Board of Education, covering grades 9-12 and adult education programs. Key deliverables include a one-year access license with unlimited student and course access, comprehensive 24/7 technical support, remote implementation assistance, and one-on-one and on-demand technical help. The platform must provide differentiated instruction capabilities for students with varying literacy levels and learning needs, integrated assessment tools with progress monitoring, and grade book functionality. Specific technical requirements include web-based infrastructure with vendor-provided IP addresses, links, and ports for firewall whitelisting. The procurement deadline is December 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., with submissions accepted via mail or email to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch at 4420 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The curriculum platform must enable students ages 17 and older to earn Carnegie Units (120 hours of instruction) toward high school diploma completion or adult education certificates. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the procurement requires integration with existing correctional education infrastructure across multiple facilities. Vendors wishing to protest the intended award must submit a notice of intent within five business days of posting and complete protest documentation within fifteen days to the Chief Procurement Officer. The platform must include comprehensive training resources such as recorded videos, webinars, and live sessions throughout the subscription period. Although a specific award value is not disclosed, the scope suggests a significant investment in digital educational technology for incarcerated students across South Carolina's correctional system.