Finance committee recommends design contract for RGPI CTE center and a Medicaid billing system; approves consent package

The Las Cruces Public Schools Finance Committee on April 17 recommended awarding RFP 24-25-04P to AKS Architecture PC for architectural and engineering services for a new Career and Technical Education center at Rio Grande Preparatory Institute and RFP 24-25-06P to Relay Hub LLC for a special-education management and Medicaid cost-recovery system. The committee also approved a consent package that included budget adjustment requests, property dispositions, vendor payments and a $27 permanent cash transfer.

The committee heard procurement staff describe both solicitations and the evaluation results. The RGPI solicitation was advertised Jan. 21, remained open 44 days and closed March 6; 47 vendors viewed the solicitation and three responsive proposals were received. Procurement staff said the evaluation committee recommended AKS Architecture PC. The committee was told AKS is working on Hermosa Heights Elementary and has completed other district projects; procurement said the scoring considered volume of current work so that projects are distributed among qualified firms.

For the special-education management system, procurement said the solicitation was advertised Feb. 18, was on the market 21 days and closed March 11; 22 vendors viewed that solicitation and qualified vendors were evaluated. The evaluation committee recommended Relay Hub LLC of Bristol, Rhode Island, to provide software to document student services, track progress and support Medicaid reimbursement and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Superintendent Ruiz and procurement staff told the committee the RGPI architectural contract advances the design phase but the district has not secured full construction funding. Ruiz said the district requested $2,000,000 in the recent legislative session and secured $500,000; officials said design can proceed while they pursue additional construction funding.

The committee approved the consent items on a single motion moved by Member Frank and seconded by President Court. Members present voted in favor: Member Tenorio, Vice President Nolan, President Court, Member Frank and Chair Wofford. The committee recorded the items on the consent list as recommended to the full board.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Recommend board approval of: RFP 24-25-04P (RGPI CTE architectural/engineering services), RFP 24-25-06P (special-education management & Medicaid cost recovery system), budget adjustment requests, property dispositions, vendor payments, permanent cash transfer. Mover: Member Frank. Second: President Court. Vote: unanimous of members present (yes: Tenorio, Nolan, Court, Frank, Wofford). Outcome: approved as committee recommendation to the board.

Staff said both procurement awards will move to the full board as recommended items; no contract signatures or construction start dates were reported within the committee meeting.