Jason Shaw
Beginning at the start of the 2015-2106 school year, AlphaBEST will operate the 3,600 student PWCS School Age Child Care Program (SACC) and Next Generation Program for middle school students.
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"The PWCS Purchasing Office Wednesday afternoon posted the 'Notice of Intent to Award,' advising competing firms of the recommendation to award the contract to AlphaBEST. The announcement triggers a legally required 10-day period for competing firms to review submitted proposals and selection process details," a PWCS spokesperson said in a post on their website.
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The after school care company, based in Lewisville, North Carolina, replaces Minnieland Academy, who's current contract expires Aug. 31, 2015.
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"A PWCS staff evaluation committee recommended AlphaBEST according to procedures required by Virginia’s Public Procurement Act. Selection factors included price, and bidders’ understanding and plans for meeting PWCS requirements, along with experience, ability, and references," they said.
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Based in Woodbridge, Minnieland Academy has operated PWCS's programs for the past two decades.
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"We are very proud of what Minineland has accomplished over the past two decades in providing before and after school care for families enrolled in Prince William County Schools. This sustained record of quality is due to the hard work of our dedicated School Age Care professionals and we are truly grateful to them," Minnieland Academy Director of Marketing Gina Dabney said in a statement. "We will continue to offer an enhanced Before and After program at our Minnieland locations that will be inclusive of all snow days, school holidays and Summer Camps with included meals, snacks and field trips. We are very thankful to all of our Prince William County SACC parents who have placed their trust in us for the past 25 years."
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While AlphaBEST currently has no local presence, to fulfill the new contract, they will establish local offices.
"Plans detailed in the AlphaBEST proposal call for the North Carolina-based firm to establish local offices and management structure specifically to support contract related activities in Prince William County," PWCS said.
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The School Board will vote on the new contract at their Feb. 4 meeting.
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Minnieland Academy will continue to operate the School Division's SACC and Next Generation programs through the end of the school year.
