FCDL Comment:
Based on documentation provided, FRN 2652535 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. You received a bid IES for email service at $5,287. You selected a bid from Achieve3000 for an "Achieve3000 Differentiated Literacy Solution" for an E-rate eligible amount of $11,291.47. The bid chosen is over two times more costly than the bid offering from IES. 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 that "The school district had already implemented e-mail service through Achieve3000 for a small segment of their student population and selected Achieve3000 for the remainder of their students because of the ease of implementation. The ease of implementation was cost-effective for the school corporation because the burden of time on school staff was greatly reduced over other solutions." This extenuating circumstance is not being accepted and the FRN is denied.