FCDL Comment:
Based on documentation provided, FRN 2637883 is denied because you did not select the most cost-effective bid proposal. FCC rules state that in selecting a provider of eligible services, applicants must carefully consider all bids submitted and must select the most cost-effective service offering. In determining which service offering is the most cost-effective, entities may consider relevant factors other than the pre-discount prices submitted by providers, but price should be the primary factor considered. The FCC further codified in the Ysleta Order that In evaluating bids from prospective service providers, applicants must select the most cost-effective offering from the bids received. The selected bid must itself be cost-effective compared to prices available commercially. The bids provided show that Gaggle offered a bid for $15,960 and SharpSchool offered a bid for $8,370.98. You selected a bid from Achieve3000 for an E-Rate eligible amount of $45,557.35. This violates the FCC requirement that applicants select the most cost-effective offering from the bids received absent extenuating circumstances. During review you presented an extenuating circumstance in stating, "The district made conscious decision of approving Achieve3000 as our vendor for `Student Email' because it offered much more than simply that piece of the puzzle. Other vendors, although cheaper, could only provide 1 simple service which was not nearly the amount of promise that Achieve3000 offers." There is no requirement in your Form 470 that the hosted email service requested had to include additional tools, nor is it detailed what those tools are. Thus, this extenuating circumstance cannot be accepted since you did not make bidders aware of the minimum requirements needed for their bid to be properly considered.