Sole Source - ROOTS Educational

The School District of Manatee County is pursuing a sole source procurement for a specialized Robotically Operated Open Training System (ROOTS) from Roots Education Co. LLC, located in North Venice, Florida. The procurement involves acquiring a comprehensive robotics training system that includes a robot package, sensor package, actuator package, a specialized "cobot" table, curriculum, installation, and training services for multiple district sites. The procurement will follow a 15-business day posting process in accordance with Florida Statute 287.057(3), with the contract opportunity posted on July 28, 2025, and responses due by August 6, 2025. The ROOTS system is designed as a customized, modular, and open-interface robotics training solution that conforms to industrial standards, with the ability to be expanded with additional packages based on specific usage requirements. The system aims to enhance robotics education and training capabilities across multiple school sites, providing not just hardware components but also installation and real-world application training. The procurement requires direct purchase from Roots Education Co. LLC, with the vendor emphasizing the unique and exclusive nature of their educational technology solution.

The sole source procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Roots Education Co. LLC is positioned as the exclusive designer and assembler of this educational robotics training system, with no alternative vendors offering a comparable product, curriculum, or customized equipment design. The total estimated project cost is $200,000.00, which covers the comprehensive system, installation, and training services. The system is specifically tailored for educational institutions, with pricing exclusively negotiated for Manatee County. Contact for further inquiries is available through Jeffrey Martin Kondel at (941) 275-6004. The procurement does not indicate integration requirements with existing infrastructure, suggesting the ROOTS system is a standalone educational technology solution. The vendor emphasizes that no other company offers a similar combination of products, services, and design at the same price point, positioning this as a unique technological procurement for the school district.