STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Government Performance & Financial Management
AGENDA DATE: March 8, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Procurement Services
EXECUTIVE: Jack Ireland
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an agreement for a term of one year, with a one-year renewal option, approved as to form by the City Attorney, with Dallas Innovation Alliance to improve Internet access and digital literacy skills via the four pillars of digital equity: access, affordability, devices, and literacy skills for eligible City residents who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 per year, for a total not to exceed amount of $2,000,000 - Financing: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund ($2,000,000)
Body
BACKGROUND
This agreement will provide the administering of a program that focuses on the four pillars of digital equity: access, affordability, devices, and literacy skills to residents for City Manager’s Office. The Digital Navigators Program (program) is to bridge the digital divide and mitigate the negative effects of digital inequity in targeted communities. The program will serve within city limits to Dallas residents who are low income, which is defined as at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), under a subrecipient agreement. The program will provide educational, training and connectivity services to improve quality of life, including the basics: devices, internet plans, basic skills/tech support; as well as education, job training/applications, transportation, telehealth, and basic services. Eligible participants include individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are members of a qualifying low- or moderate-income household, including families with school-age children, adolescents, and higher-education students. This program will alleviate their needs to be connected to the internet, utilize computers and laptops, and acquire training to support digital literacy and skills, as well as increased awareness and use of Dallas Public Library resources.
A five-member committee from the following departments reviewed and evaluated the qualifications:
• City Manager’s Office (1)
• Library (1)
• Office of Community Care (1)
• Office of Equity and Inclusion (1)
• Office of Procurement Services (1)*
*The Office of Procurement Services only evaluated the cost and local preference if applicable.
The committee selected the successful respondent on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications under the following criteria:
• Program and work plan 40 points
• Cost and budget 25 points
• Organizational capacity 20 points
• Evaluation plan 15 points
As part of the solicitation process and in an effort to increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services used its procurement system to send out email notifications to vendors registered under relevant commodity codes. To further increase competition, the Office of Procurement Services uses historical solicitation information, the Internet, and vendor contact information obtained from user departments to contact additional vendors.
On November 10, 2015, the City Council authorized a living wage policy that requires contractors to pay their employees a “living wage” rate as established annually by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator for Dallas County by Resolution No. 15-2141. The calculated living wage during the solicitation process of this contract is $17.82; the selected vendor meets this requirement.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 23, 2021, City Council authorized the acceptance of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to provide relief during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 21-1149.
On September 22, 2021, City Council authorized the final reading and adoption of the appropriation ordinance for the FY 2021-22 City of Dallas Operating, Capital, and Grant & Trust Budgets, which included the ARPA funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds by Resolution No. 21-1590.
The City Council was briefed on “Updates to the Implementation of the Broadband and Digital Equity Strategic Plan” on August 1, 2022.
The Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee was briefed on the “Digital Equity Initiative Updates” on September 12, 2022.
The Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee was briefed on the “Digital Navigators Program RFP” on February 13, 2023.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Initial Term: $1,000,000.00
Renewal Option: Year 1 $1,000,000.00
Total $2,000,000.00
|
Fund |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
Future Years |
|
Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery |
$1,000,000.00 |
$1,000,000.00 |
$0.00 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
|
$2,000,000.00 |
Other Services |
N/A |
|
M/WBE Subcontracting % |
M/WBE Overall % |
M/WBE Overall Participation $ |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
• This item is Other Services which does not have an availability and disparity participation goal. |
|
• Dallas Innovation Alliance - Local; Workforce - 30.55% Local |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Method of Evaluation for Award Type:
|
Request for Competitive |
• Utilized for high technology procurements, insurance procurements, and other goods and services |
|
Sealed Proposal |
• Recommended offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the City, considering the relative importance of price, and other evaluation factors stated in the specifications |
|
|
• Always involves a team evaluation |
|
|
• Allows for negotiation on contract terms, including price |
The Office of Procurement Services received the following proposals from solicitation number BOZ22-00020338. We opened them on November 4, 2022. We recommend the City Council award this service contract in its entirety to the most advantageous proposer.
*Denotes successful proposer
Proposers Address Score
*Dallas Innovation Alliance 606 Tenna Loma Ct. 78.35
Dallas, TX 75208
NPower 1 402 North Corinth St. 69.05
Suite 137
Dallas, TX 75215
Comp-U-Dopt 2121 South Harwood St. 63.10
Dallas, TX 75215
OWNER
Dallas Innovation Alliance
Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director