The Ohio Learning Network will continue to create and manage a variety of contracts
with Ohio colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations and for profit vendors
to meet its objectives in professional development for faculty and teachers, technology
innovations, distance learning offerings and workforce development. Guidelines
have been established to be consistent across the funding projects and cycles.
Contracts (work for hire) will be created on a need-basis and once funds are secured
from the Ohio General Assembly or other funding agencies. Contracts will be developed
that are central to the core activities of the Ohio Learning Network. Contracts
will be created in consultation with members of the OLN community.
Request for Proposals Process
Requests for Proposals are written by appropriate OLN staff and reviewed
by the Executive Director. The RFP will be distributed according to dollar
amount. For contracts less than $50,000, OLN will circulate to Ohio's
colleges and universities and other appropriate organizations. For contracts
of $50,000 and above, OLN will circulate to Ohio's colleges and universities
and nonprofit organizations and will utilize the fiscal agent (OSU) for
vendor distribution when appropriate.
RFP Evaluation
Contract RFPs will be reviewed in the manner most pertinent to the program.
For contracts less than $ 50,000, OLN staff will review the proposals.
Contracts $50,000 and over will have OLN guided evaluation with assistance
from OLN committees, OLN Governing Board and OLN fiscal agent (OSU). Appropriate
fiscal agent (OSU) representative will sign contracts.
Expenditure Approval
Expenditures less than $50,000 falling within OLN Governing Board approved program activities
are at the discretion of the Executive Director. Expenditures of $50,000
and above not specifically described in approved budget materials will
be submitted to the Governing Board Chair for approval. The Chair will
decide if the Executive Committee or full Board needs to review the expenditure
prior to approval.
RFP/Bidding Process/Single Source Statement
The Ohio State University serves as OLN's fiscal agent. Where appropriate
OSU bidding and single source polices will be followed by OLN. OLN funds
sit in two accounting systems at Ohio State - the Research Foundation
and the University proper. Currently, the University's Research Foundation
requires that contracts larger than $25,000 must follow an established
bidding process and single source statements must be completed for any
contract of this size that is awarded without bidding. The University
proper requires that contracts for services of $50,000 and above and contracts
for goods of $25,000 and above follow this same bidding process and single
source guidelines.
Distribution of Funds
Invoices will be paid according to the written contract that accompanies
the award letter.
Termination Review Procedure
Individual contract language determines termination process. In general,
termination will be requested by the contract awardees. Furthermore, OLN
reserves the right to exclude from consideration proposals submitted from
institutions that have failed to complete contract work in accordance
with the stipulations of the contract. In those instances where OLN elects
to exclude an institution from further consideration, OLN will notify
the institution of its intent-to-exclude and offer the institution an
opportunity to appeal. It is the institution's responsibility to oversee
the completion of contract work supported by OLN and the final decision
to exclude an institution resides with OLN.
