Title
APPROVAL TO AWARD BID #24-0026 FOR SPEECH, OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL THERAPY, ESE SERVICES & OTHER STAFFING PERSONNEL
Description
On September 14, 2023, Procurement in conjunction with the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department, issued a bid for Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Services and included to expand to all ESE vacancies in the district. Bids to provide ‘Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapy, ESE Services & Other Staffing Personnel’ were received from 32 vendors on September 29, 2023. The bids of AHS Staffing, LLC, American Medical Staffing, Inc., AMN Allied Services, LLC, Clarifi Staffing LLC, Community Rehab Associates, Inc. d/b/a CRA Therapy, Comprehensive Therapy Consultants, Edge Therapies LLC, Fayne Therapy, Gifted Nurses, LLC DBA Gifted Healthcare, HealthPRO Pediatrics, LLC, iDEAL Personnel Services LLC, Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC, Jones Telepractice Agency LLC, Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Medical Edge Recruitment LLC, New Direction Solutions, LLC dba ProCare Therapy, Novo Staffing, LLC in Affiliation with myBasePay USA LLC, Orange Tree Staffing, LLC, Potter Speech & Language Therapy, Quantum Health Professionals dba Quantum Education Professionals, Soliant Health, LLC, Speech Specialists of San Antonio, P.C., Sterling Physical Therapy & Wellness, Sunbelt Staffing, LLC, Talk of the Town Speech Therapy, LLC, The Stepping Stones Group LLC, Therapeutic Endeavors LLC, and Therapeutic Potentials Inc., were the best low bids meeting the advertised specifications. Reasons for not selecting the apparent low bid were included with the bid tabulation. This bid is for a period of one year with an option to renew for two additional one-year periods.
Gap Analysis
Currently, there are continued vacancies that are unable to be filled through traditional recruitment and direct hire processes. These positions are critical to provide direct services to students with disabilities for IEP goals/services. As of September 15, 2023, 19 ESE Teacher vacancies; 93 ESE Aides (35 Oak Park); 12.6 ESE Department vacancies. The proposed solution is to convert vacant Aides, Paraprofessionals, ESE Teachers, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Service positions into contracted dollars as needed. These converted funds will be utilized to provide contracted staff to fill these district positions.
Previous Outcomes
The bidding process for ESE contractors was initiated because Aides, Paraprofessionals, ESE Teachers, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Service positions are difficult to fill. The district has consistently posted over 15 vacancies for Paraprofessional, Aide and ESE Teacher positions each day since Summer 2023.
Expected Outcomes
By identifying vendor(s) who can provide contracted support for ESE unfilled vacancies, Sarasota County Schools will increase the number of consistent Aides, Paraprofessionals, ESE Teachers, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Service Providers to support in the learning environment for students with disabilities. This will increase the staff to student ratio to improve student academic needs and progress, meet health/medical needs and ensure the safety of students and staff.
Strategic Plan Goal
Recommendation
That the bids of AHS Staffing, LLC, American Medical Staffing, Inc., AMN Allied Services, LLC, Clarifi Staffing LLC, Community Rehab Associates, Inc. d/b/a CRA Therapy, Comprehensive Therapy Consultants, Edge Therapies LLC, Fayne Therapy, Gifted Nurses, LLC DBA Gifted Healthcare, HealthPRO Pediatrics, LLC, iDEAL Personnel Services LLC, Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC, Jones Telepractice Agency LLC, Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Medical Edge Recruitment LLC, New Direction Solutions, LLC dba ProCare Therapy, Novo Staffing, LLC in Affiliation with myBasePay USA LLC, Orange Tree Staffing, LLC, Potter Speech & Language Therapy, Quantum Health Professionals dba Quantum Education Professionals, Soliant Health, LLC, Speech Specialists of San Antonio, P.C., Sterling Physical Therapy & Wellness, Sunbelt Staffing, LLC, Talk of the Town Speech Therapy, LLC, The Stepping Stones Group LLC, Therapeutic Endeavors LLC, and Therapeutic Potentials Inc., for ‘Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapy, ESE Services & Other Staffing Personnel’ in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 be approved as presented.
Contact Information
ALLISON FOSTER allison.foster@sarasotacountyschools.net
RACHEAL O'DEA racheal.o'dea@sarasotacountyschools.net
Financial Impact
Not to exceed: $2,000,000.00
The funds for these purchases are contained in the budgets allocated to the Schools and Departments.
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