The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST) is pleased to announce that we are seeking applications/request for proposals within the Central Florida region to establish a FAAST Central Florida Regional Demonstration Center Project.

Disability organizations, not-for-profit and for-profit agencies, universities, community colleges, and other interested parties may submit proposals in response to this RFP.

Standard Contract Funding: $87,710.07; possible additional amendments to standard contract may include additional years and funds for AT Device Loan Program up to $20,000 and funds for a Device Repair/Refurbishing Program up to $10,000. FAAST, Inc. will provide funds for a period not to exceed 12 months for fiscal support of this RFP for the first year of the project and subsequent years (should additional years of this project be funded, based on FAAST, Inc. approval and the availability of funds).

Purpose: The purpose of this RFP is to obtain competitive bids from qualified organizations capable of providing the Central Florida region with access to assistive services and technology for the purpose of assistive technology device demonstrations, training, technical assistance and education. The FAAST Central Florida RDC will provide direct demonstrations and interactive experiences with assistive technology, devices and services for individuals with disabilities of all ages, families, caregivers and professionals and collaborate with community partners.

Other services may include, but are not limited to, a regional assistive technology equipment loan program including equipment loan satisfaction surveys, assistive technology device demonstrations, training and technical assistance, information and referral, structured presentations including educational conferences and exhibits, and public awareness activities designed to promote education, employment, community living, and telecommunications/information technologies (IT).

The FAAST Central Florida RDC will offer regional services to individuals residing in the catchment area of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, Polk, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, and Hernando counties where children and adults with disabilities and their families can have access to assistive technology consultations, technical assistance and individualized assistive technology instruction.

Copies of this RFP in its entirety can be downloaded from the FAAST website (www.faast.org) or copies may be requested by email (faast@faast.org) or hard copy by contacting: FAAST at 1(888)788-9216, (850)487-3278, Fax: (850)487-2805, and address: 325 John Knox Rd., Bldg. 400, Suite 402, Tallahassee, FL 32303.

Letters of intent to apply are encouraged but not mandatory. Letters of Intent to apply will be accepted by Fax, Email, US mail, commercial carrier, or hand delivered to the FAAST headquarters.

All answers to written questions will be posted on the FAAST website on August 2, 2010. The deadline for submitting proposals for this RFP to FAAST, Inc. is August 20, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. (EST).

PLEASE FORWARD ALL REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THIS RFP TO: STEVEN L. HOWELLS, FAAST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

QUESTIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN WRITTEN FORMAT ONLY. THIS IS A LEGAL PROCESS AND WE CANNOT ANSWER QUESTIONS VERBALLY.