The coronavirus (COVID-19) is continuing to fundamentally shape the way that the public sector operates and does business in all industries. As cities and other public agencies are responding to the ongoing pandemic, GovWin’s team of state and local market analysts are reporting on key themes and providing information in a free Coronavirus Government Response Resource Center.
Here are three ways that cities, counties and other government agencies are spending on education-related projects in response to the pandemic, along with examples of relevant education contracts that were recently awarded, put out to bid or included in an agency’s future spending plan.
Investment in Telecom and Information Technology
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is forcing schools to make difficult decisions about how to best provide education services to their student population. Many agencies are finding that preparing for distance learning is the best, safest option, and they are seeking to increase their investment in telecom – largely funded by the FCC’s E-Rate: Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries program – as well as purchase laptops and other tech to support students remotely.
Laptops and Supporting Products – Columbus County Schools, NC
The Columbus County School District has released a bid for the purchase of an estimated 200 Chromebooks, along with computer cases, to offer their student population.
E-Rate Services – City of Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg’s County School District is looking for a qualified firm to provide E-Rate consulting services to move toward obtaining affordable telecommunications and internet access.
Sanitizing School Buses and School Buildings
For districts that do re-open and begin having students attend on either a full-time or a part-time basis, taking measures to keep their indoor spaces and transportation vehicles clean and safe is vital. Cleaning tasks are likely to be added to the responsibility of in-house staff members, and districts that are more financially secure are likely to look for outside help for additional sanitization measures.
Transit Bus Air Purifiers – City of Davenport, IA
Davenport is requesting quotes from vendors for transit bus air purifiers to help ensure that the environment inside their buses is as safe as possible.
Sanitation Products and Services – City of Kileen, TX
The Killeen Independent School District is accepting proposals for sanitation related products and/or services for the District on an as-needed basis.
Consulting Opportunities to Revise Curriculum Plans
One area expected to see growth is in grant writing services and consulting, to help determine strategy for programs like E-Rate. Consulting contracts will also be needed to help modify strategic plans to factor in new requirements (such as distance learning) and challenges across basic categories like curriculum, class size, student success outcomes, food, transportation and much more.
Online Curriculum – City of Park City, UT
Park City’s school district is currently soliciting bids from interested parties for the purchase of an online curriculum solution for elementary and middle school students.
Grant Consulting Services – Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is seeking providers of grant consulting services to increase the number of major grant submissions and to more strategically compete for external funding.
Looking for more details on how state and local governments are responding to the ongoing crisis? You can register for these free on-demand webinars to learn how government agencies are dealing with the medical, social and economic impact of COVID-19.
Nick Schiffler is a business-to-government (B2G) market analyst and content marketer for GovWin from Deltek. Follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest government market insights.
