Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Columbus Fire Division needs to secure a computer based training content provider for their Distance Learning Project. The Fire Division's Distance Learning project was implemented to provide remote training in all fire stations via computer network. A computer based training content provider is needed to implement training, scheduling, and logging of employee training history.
Bid Information: The Fire Division processed a request for proposal (RFP) for a computer based training content provider via Solicitation SA002986 and received bids on September 11, 2008; upon review of the bids, the Fire Division recommends acceptance of the bid submitted by Centre Learn in the amount of $114,900.00.
Bids were as follows:
Working Fire Training Systems - $74,332.00 annually plus $5,000.00 setup
Centre Learn - $114,900.00 annually
Target Safety - $114,900.00 annually plus $1,850.00 setup
National Paramedic Institute- $153,200.00 annually
A committee of Fire Division personnel reviewed vendor performance with other fire and emergency medical services, EMS departments, quality of training, content and cost of training per employee.
The low bidder, Working Fire Training Systems, offered a system that included primarily fire based content with only a small amount of basic Emergency Medical Services content. Given the major role paramedic EMS plays in the Division of Fire's operations, the absence of advanced EMS content greatly reduces it's functionality as the core content management system the Fire Division needs in order to implement its Distance Learning project. Working Fire submitted a base line price lower than other bidders, but additional costs would be incurred for other services such as key student compliance, report features, and other specific content as needed by the Division of Fire.
Centre Learn, the second lowest bidder, provides fire, basic EMS, and paramedic level content, and offers an all inclusive...
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