Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: County Library
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Edward Melton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 240015
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Smart Horizons Career Online Education
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a renewal option with Smart Horizons Career Online Education for virtual high school diploma and workforce certificate program for the Public Library for the period of June 4, 2026 - June 3, 2027, at a cost of $150,000 (240015), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
end
Background and Discussion:
Harris County Public Library partners with Smart Horizons to provide an accredited online high school diploma program for adult learners who did not complete high school. The program removes common barriers to completion by offering flexible, self-paced coursework, academic support, and access through the library at no cost to participants. This contract renewal allows HCPL to continue a proven service that aligns with the Library’s mission to expand educational access, support workforce development, and improve long-term economic outcomes for County residents.
Expected Impact:
Renewing the Smart Horizons contract will allow HCPL to continue serving adult learners seeking to earn a high school diploma as a critical step toward higher education, job training, and higher-paying careers. Participants gain a recognized credential that improves employability, increases earning potential, and strengthens the local workforce. The program also advances countywide goals related to economic mobility, adult education, and equitable access to opportunity, while leveraging the library as a trusted entry point for lifelong learning.
Alternative Options:
• Discontinue the program: HCPL would no longer offer a high school diploma option, limiting educational pathways for adults without a diploma and reducing support for workforce advancement.
• Seek a different vendor: Identifying and onboarding a new provider would require additional staff time, potential service disruption, and uncertain outcomes related to accreditation, cost, and student success.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
06/04/2024 |
361 |
Award on the basis of best proposal meeting requirements |
|
01/08/2025 |
136 |
Amendment No. 1 Approval |
|
01/23/2025 |
149 |
Renewal No. 1 Approval |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): Multiple
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Adult Literacy |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
|
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
|
CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 2/12/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 6/4/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Daisy Torres, Finance and Budget Director, HCPL; Jeremy Woodard, Assistant Director, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter