Title
Learn2Earn Grant Administration Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract with Geocko, Inc. dba FORWARD for Learn2Earn Grant Administration Services for an initial term of 18 months, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to one, one-year term with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Markell Storay, Innovation and Technology
Charlitta Hatch, Innovation and Technology
Explanation
§ City Council has designated $10 million in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act to digital inclusion programming. $2.3 million of this digital inclusion funding has been programmed for the development of the Learn2Earn program, which will promote digital inclusion by expanding access to technology and digital skills training
§ The Learn2Earn Model is intended to provide underserved communities with the digital literacy, skills, technology, and support necessary for long-term economic mobility.
§ On March 25, 2025, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); eighteen responses were received.
§ FORWARD best meets the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, MWSBE inclusion efforts, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ FORWARD will develop and support a grant program and administer grant funds in line with the city’s digital inclusion initiative for $230,000 (10 percent of the $2,300,000 allocation), leaving $2,070,000 available for grant awards.
Fiscal Note
Funding: ARPA funds