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