In early February, the Idaho Commission for Libraries released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the statewide electronic databases.  The Idaho library community will recognize it as a request for proposals for services for the LiLI Databases.

The current suite of contracts for services that make up the LiLI Databases will expire June 30^th.  With no further renewals left with those contracts, the Commission is seeking proposals for services that would begin July 1^st. 

Having received a number of questions, I’m going to summarize the most common here.

What are we asking for?

With the RFP sent out this month, the Commission is requesting proposals in a variety of topic areas including, but not limited to, K12 general interest, readers advisory, pro/con issues, auto repair, genealogy, foreign language learning, and other topics.

Will [insert database name] be included in the next contract?

Asking for proposals does not mean we will receive proposals from all potential services.  If you work with representatives from companies with products you think would fit the scope and service of the LiLI Databases, you should refer them to the Idaho Division of Purchasing’s Bid Opportunities website.

It is also important to note that receiving a proposal does not guarantee a contract will be awarded to the proposer.

How do you decide what is purchased?

Each proposal received is evaluated on a number of criteria.  Criteria covers business information, the proposers quality of support staff, the usability of the databases, technical details needed for the services to function in Idaho
libraries, a demonstration given by each proposer, and feedback from checked references.  The criteria identified are updated each time the Commission seeks new proposals.  In this process, we added new criteria based upon feedback from the library community, from the LiLI Steering Committee, and as suggested in the recent study of the LiLI Database program. 

Each proposed service gets a thorough review by the Evaluation Team.  The Evaluation Team is made up of ICFL staff and members of the library community representing various types and sizes of libraries in the state.  The entire process, from the initial request to the evaluation and the awarding of contracts, is overseen by the Idaho Division of Purchasing, which allows everyone involved to be certain proposals are given fair and equal consideration.

When will we know which contracts are awarded?

The Commission is accepting proposals through March 16, 2011, for potential contracts that would begin July 1, 2011.  After the proposals are received, a review period will begin.  The Commission hopes to have a decision in May 2011.  An announcement will be made as soon as contracts are in place.  As is always the case with public funding, all decisions are dependent upon available funds.

Will this affect our access to LearningExpress Library?

LearningExpress Library is available as a part of the “online @ your library” project funded through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.” While LearningExpress Library can be accessed through the LiLI Portal with other “online @ your library” services, it is not specifically a LiLI Database due to the different funding mechanism.  The LearningExpress contract is in place through October 2012.  Changes in contracts for the LiLI Databases will not have an impact on the LearningExpress access.