Title
Interactive Elements, Equipment, Furnishings, and Associated Services at Various Library Department Locations - RFA 18-292 (Ordinance S-44669)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Burgeon Group, LLC to provide interactive elements, equipment, furnishings, and associated services for the Library's First Five Years (FFY) program. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse funds related to this item. The five-year aggregate value of the contract will not exceed $2 million, with an annual estimated expenditure of $400,000.
Report
Summary
Phoenix Public Library has dedicated FFY space in the Burton Barr Library and each of the 16 branch libraries. The FFY spaces are safe and engaging environments for children, birth to age five, and their families to play and learn. The Library follows established early literacy research and practices in designing these spaces for maximum effect and enjoyment. This emphasis on early literacy is part of the Library’s strategic plan to combat the lack of school readiness by engaging children, parents, and caregivers to play constructively with young children by providing age appropriate books and materials, interactive toys and activities. Because of high use, the FFY spaces need to be revitalized and refurbished on a regular basis with durable, high quality learning materials. As of January 2017, five of the larger FFY spaces (400 square feet or more) and three of the smaller spaces (200-400 square feet) currently in Library locations are critically in need of updating. Additional spaces will need updating over the next four to five years.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, normal competition was waived as the result of an approved determination memo citing that Burgeon Group, LLC is the only firm in the nation dedicated to the creation of hundreds of different creative interactive spaces for early literacy, exclusively for libraries. The vendor is a minority-owned small business located in Phoenix. The Deputy Finance Director recommends the contract with Burgeon Group, LLC be accepted.
Contract Term
The five-year term will begin on or about June 15, 2018.
Financial Impact
The five-year aggregate value will not exceed $2 million, with an estimated annual expenditure of $400,000. Funds are available in the Library Department's budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Library and Finance departments.