Why is the contract needed?

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and the Pennsylvania Matrix for Educational Placement, all school districts provide students with mandated audiological evaluations (hearing tests). Support services for deaf and hard of hearing students are also provided when appropriate pursuant to the IDEA and student Individualized Education Programs (IEP). These services include the proper fitting of amplification systems such as hearing aids, and the purchase, replacement, and timely repair of state-of-the-art equipment and assistive devices as needed. This enables students who are deaf and hard of hearing to participate in the general education curriculum to the maximum extent possible.

Alpaca Audiology is unique in that it successfully combines and coordinates various critically important professional functions in servicing deaf and hard of hearing students. The provision of these functions by one company ensures that the School District of Philadelphia's (District) deaf or hard of hearing students receive the best quality of equipment, support and services. Alpaca Audiology will provide deaf and hard of hearing students with mandated hearing evaluations and when required measure and fit students with hearing aids and ear molds. In addition, Alpaca Audiology will purchase, maintain, calibrate, and repair audiological equipment needed by District students including sound field systems, ear molds, and hearing aids. Alpaca Audiology will consult with students, parents and staff regarding the placement and care of equipment used in schools to improve students' hearing per their IEPs.

How is this work connected to the District’s plan to achieve Goals & Guardrails?

Audiology services enable deaf and hard of hearing students to fully access District curriculum, reach IEP goals and objectives, perform at or above grade level in reading and math, graduate ready for college and career, and to reach proficiency levels on annual state academic and vocational assessments. Moreover, the contractor’s services provide deaf and hard of hearing students with auditory access across all school environments including instruction, sports and extracurricular activities, enabling them to have an enriching, non-discriminatory, and well-rounded school experience.

How will the success of this contract be measured?

The Office of Special Education and Diverse Learners shall monitor the Alpaca Audiology performance to evaluate the quality and punctuality of services requested by the District.  The Office shall collaborate with principals and teachers to ensure that Alpaca Audiology delivers quality service to students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Alpaca Audiology has a highly satisfactory record of past performance in delivering and maintaining audiology equipment for District students. 

When applicable, was a larger community of District community members and/or stakeholders involved in this selection process? If so, what groups and how?

Consistent with the District’s competitive procurement process, the selection of the contractor included a committee of District staff with relevant special education, hearing, instructional, programmatic, and fiscal expertise who reviewed and evaluated the contractor’s RFP responses.