The Florida Distance Learning Consortium currently negotiates purchasing agreements with Blackboard, WebCT, Desire2Learn, Adobe, Turnitin.com, ElementK, PLATO Learning, AP Archives, and telecourse distributors on behalf of its members. These arrangements are
complicated and time consuming to negotiate, and to fiscally manage. Increasingly, other “IT-related” vendors wish to introduce their products and services using the Consortium as a conduit to the member schools. This saves vendors time and money, but adds additional strain to the already thin Consortium office resources.

In response to the expanded K-20 mission and the realities of sustaining a growing number of vendor relationships, the Consortium seeks to
focus more on “strategic partnerships”, and less on vender relationships. Strategic partnerships will be solicited by the FDLC, not driven by vendors, or governmental entities. Such partnerships are for products and services deemed by the membership to be part of the core mission of the Consortium.

Strategic partnerships will be distinguished by the following criteria:

• a formal agreement/contract between the FDLC for at least one year, on behalf of member institutions, and the partner that is not
  dependent on resellers or other intermediaries.
• a guarantee of the best possible pricing arrangement available to K-20 institutions in Florida for the partner’s products and services
  during the term of the agreement.
• the ability for additional schools to join the agreement at any time during the term of the agreement.
• a commitment by the partner to customize products, packaging and bundling to meet the needs of the Consortium’s membership.
• a commitment by the partner to provide, as part of the agreement: 1) implementation consulting; 2) professional development focused on learning outcomes, not training time, and 3) supporting materials to members.
• a commitment by the partner to have regular interaction and consultation with the Consortium and its membership, at a minimum through attendance at the quarterly meetings.
• promotion of the FDLC and participating institutions in company product information and media.
• a commitment to give the FDLC the most advanced notification of pending product or version changes, and to provide consulting and materials to ease these transitions.

The Strategic Partnership Designation will be recommended by the Licensing and Strategic Partnerships Committee and voted on by the Consortium.

The designation will be renewed annually through a positive vote of the Consortium’s appointed members.