COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 20
January 30, 2004
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of
Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
State
Contract for K-12 Educational Curriculum Software and Web Materials, and the
ATAlliance Contracts for Technology Equipment |
School divisions
have the opportunity to use state and national contracts for purchasing
computer-based instructional materials and equipment. These technology
contracts are the result of national competitive bidding procedures. The pricing on these technology contracts
can result in savings for Virginia school divisions. Interested persons should
contact the appropriate agencies as indicated in the information below.
The Virginia
Department of Educations new state-pricing contract for K-12 educational
software, websites and related services is now available for use by school
divisions. The Virginia Informational
Technology Agency (VITA) conducted the competitive bidding process. In the bidding process, the selection
criteria required evidence that the K-12 educational software offered included
programs that received positive national evaluation ratings. To make
technology-based materials readily available to schools, a new application
service provider (ASP) was selected.
The ASP model will facilitate the integration of technology into the
curriculum and promote the academic achievement of students. This ASP model can assist schools as they
implement the EdTech (Title II, Part D) programs goals of student technology
literacy, technology and curriculum integration, and professional
development. Professional development
is one of the components of this contract. Sprint (LearningStation) has been
awarded the contract as the new application service provider (ASP) for
K-12 educational technology-based materials.
For more specific
information regarding the state-pricing contract, refer to Attachment A
State Contract for Computer-based Instructional Materials. For additional information regarding the
contract-related professional development opportunities available, see Attachment
B Schedule of Informational and Training Sessions for State K-12 Educational
technology ASP Contract.
In addition to the
state Sprint technology-based educational materials contract, schools may
purchase from the ATAlliance technology equipment and related products
contracts developed by the American TelEd Communications Alliance. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
is a member of the alliance. The
Virginia Department of Education is a member of the Southern Regional Education
Board (SREB). Through the states
membership in SREB, Virginia school divisions are eligible to purchase items on
the ATAlliance (American TelEd Communications Alliance, www.atalliance.org)contracts. The ATAlliance pursues its goals by
leveraging the considerable collective purchasing power of its membership,
which includes public and private nonprofit colleges, universities, schools,
organizations, agencies, and other public entities. Members enjoy considerable
savings - from 20 to as much as 50 percent (www.atalliance.org) Additionally, the ATAlliance has
opportunities to validate bid processes and help members avoid their own costly
RFP. (www.atalliance.org)
For specific
information regarding the ATAlliance contracts, refer to Attachment C ATAlliance
Contracts for Technology Equipment and Related Products.
For more
information, please contact Joyce White (mailto:jwhite@mail.vak12ed.edu),
instructional materials integration specialist, Office of Educational
Technology, at 804-225-2958.
JLD/JFW/fc
Attachments
/administrators/superintendents_memos/2004/inf020a.pdf
/administrators/superintendents_memos/2004/inf020b.pdf
/administrators/superintendents_memos/2004/inf020c.pdf