State of Mississippi RESA Consortium

Consortia

A group of entities that come together to undertake a project or achieve a goal that is beyond the resources of the entities acting as individuals.* Source – USAC Website

Consortium Lead Member

One entity should be designated as the lead member of the consortium. The consortium leader may or may not be eligible for discounts.

Consortium leader is responsible for certifications.

Consortium leader also has certain record keeping responsibilities. LOAs to demonstrate the member was aware of, and had expressly authorized, the action that would be taken on its behalf by the consortium leader.

Action Taken: File a Form 470, advertise and accept bids on behalf of members.

* Source – USAC Website

Why S-RESA? S-RESA was chosen by the other RESAs to take the lead in

seeking vendors willing to provide these services to member districts.

§ 37-7-345 – Authorization to establish regional educational service agency; agency to be organized as nonprofit tax exempt corporation; operation and management by public advisory board; board of directors; Executive Director; power and responsibilities of educational service agency.

Delta Area Association for Improvement of Schools

East Mississippi Center for Educational Development

Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium

North Mississippi Education Consortium

Southern-Regional Educational Service Agency

Southwest Mississippi Education Consortium

Consortium Members

Eligible Entities (school and libraries)

Members participation maybe voluntary or mandated by law

In our state, it is voluntary.

The entity agrees to have applications filed on their behalf (Form 470)

Member responsibility – Write and get your technology plan certified.

* Source – USAC Website

Letter of Agency

Purpose – Authorizes the Consortium Leader to seek E-rate discounts on eligible goods/services on behalf of eligible consortium members.

Consortium members must complete an LOA, unless the consortium participation is mandatory and a statutory/regulatory requirement.* Source – USAC Website

Knowingness

KnowingnessConsortium leader must demonstrate that the

consortium member “knows” (authorizes) the consortium leader to advertise for services on the consortium member’s behalf.

Multiple-tier consortia must demonstrate knowingness between each tier. The consortium leader must maintain copies of each tier’s LOAs.

* Source – USAC Website

Tentative Timeline

Collect LOAs

Skype meeting with Mel Blackwell and USAC staff

Meeting with Jim Young

Newspaper advertisement

December – Mandatory Bidder’s Conference

December – approval by Mississippi RESA Consortium Technology Board

January, 2015 – approval by S-RESA Board

* Source – USAC Website

Your Next Step…

Sign the LOAContact vendors and encourage them to bid

Participate in the selection process

Step two…

Contact approved vendorsEvaluate bids and select vendor

Get your Board’s approvalFile 471 using our 470

Support

A local RFP templateA local rubric templateAnswer questions for PIA review

State of Mississippi RESA Consortium

Questions?

http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/beforeyoubegin/consortia/default.aspx