Single Source provider for proprietary software licenses from Newsela

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is procuring proprietary software licenses from Newsela under a sole-source acquisition for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, with a not-to-exceed value of $15,500.00. The purchase includes access to Newsela’s All Access PD Pass, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Writing products, which provide differentiated reading content, embedded formative assessments, and customizable close reading tools aligned with curricular goals. Newsela is identified as the sole provider of this platform due to its exclusive partnerships with content creators such as the Associated Press, National Geographic, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, whose copyrighted materials are integrated into a proprietary SaaS system that cannot be replicated by any other educational technology vendor. The procurement is justified under Florida Statutes §287.057(3)(c), which permits single-source acquisitions when unique or proprietary products are required and no suitable alternatives exist. Delivery is electronic, with no physical packaging, shipping, or FOB terms applicable, and performance occurs entirely within Florida, where the licenses will be implemented and accepted by the school. The solicitation number is SS-26-137, posted on April 28, 2026, with responses due by May 19, 2026, and must be submitted via email to Kim Whitwam, Director of Purchasing. No competitive evaluation factors, line-item pricing, contract clauses, or formal inspection criteria are present, as this is a non-competitive transaction based solely on the uniqueness and legal protections of Newsela’s platform. No additional certifications, socioeconomic designations, or accounting data are included, and the procurement complies with state statutes rather than federal acquisition regulations.