AgdaPkt 2018-01-22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.H. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager January 22, 2018 SUBJECT Award of Contract — Online Homework Help Services RECOMMENDATION By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year contract for online homework help services with Brainfuse, Inc. in the amount of $47,800, which includes an option for the City Manager to extend the agreement for two additional two- year terms, for a total not -to -exceed contract price of $135,800 BACKGROUND Live online homework help and tutoring have been an important supplement to in- person after school homework help programs at all four library locations in the City since 2011. The City's current contract for live online homework help services will expire in January 2018 Online homework help services provide access to tutors in a variety of subjects, for a variety of grade levels. The services offer distinct advantages in providing assistance to students who are unable to visit a physical library during hours when homework help is offered, as well as extending the availability of tutoring beyond the service hours of library buildings. In addition to live tutoring, online homework help services provide additional assistance in the form of test preparation resources, a writing lab where samples can be submitted for feedback, and other skill -building activities. Online homework help is a significant component of the Library's online services, which also include eBooks and research databases, all of which are funded from the annual budget appropriation for library materials. The Library has contracted with Brainfuse, Inc. for online tutoring since 2011, and in the twelve months ending in October 2017, over 3,200 sessions were conducted to assist students in Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Because the current contract could not be extended without exceeding the purchasing policy threshold for Council approval, and in order to obtain the best pricing from competing vendors, the Library issued an RFP for online homework help services.