Save the Date! GIS Day is November 18
As successful as this event was during its debut last year, it promises to be bigger and better this year. Hosted by Los Angeles County, many departments, private industry, local colleges, universities, and some cities, will take part in GIS Day 2009.
GIS Day is a global event which takes place every third Wednesday of November, as part of the National Geographic Society's Geography Awareness Week. GIS Day’s main focus is on educating the public about geographic information systems (GIS) technologies and how they are being used to solve issues dealing with safety, environment, efficiency, and economic impact of financial markets around the world. In addition, Los Angeles County uses maps for planning, tracking, responding, analyzing, comparing, routing, visualizing, to understanding our work and constituents.
Come learn more at this year's GIS Day! DPSS will be part of this fantastic event, along with other departmental GIS groups. Come see how County managers are strategically using GIS to make informed decisions that support productivity in their departments. Find out how County GIS groups cooperate to benefit all.
This year's event marks its eleventh anniversary and the County's second year of participation. It will feature speeches by County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County Chief Executive Officer Bill Fujioka, booths showcasing departmental GIS projects, GIS demonstrations, a series of short presentations, a map gallery and special games and activities.
See you there!
Where: Civic center Mall of the Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012
When: November 18, 2009 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
GIS Day 2009 web site.
GIS Day flyer.
Save the Date! GIS Day is November 19
Maps are at the heart of many of our County services and are often created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We use maps for planning, tracking, responding, analyzing, comparing, routing, visualizing, to understanding our work and constituents, and our world.
Learn more on this year's GIS Day! DPSS will be taking part of this fantastic event along with many County GIS groups. Come see how County managers are strategically using GIS to make informed decisions, to support productivity, and improve efficiency in their departments. Find out how County GIS groups cooperate to benefit all.
Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society's Geography Awareness Week (November 1721 this year), GIS Day is a global event that celebrates geographic information system technology, which uses geography to bring countless benefits to the world. This year's event marks its tenth anniversary and will feature demonstrations, a map gallery and special games and activities.
See you there!
Where: Civic center Mall of the Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012
When: November 19, 2008 10 am to 2:30 pm
LRS News Status of LRS RFP: The County has concluded the evaluation and selection process pursuant to the LRS RFP. On August 5, 2009, the memo regarding County’s intent to negotiate with the recommended proposer was filed with the Board of Supervisors. General Process Following Selection of Recommended Proposer: • Each non-selected proposer may request a debriefing meeting as instructed by County regarding such proposer’s proposal only. • County conducts debriefing meeting with each non-selected proposer that requests a debriefing as instructed by County, which will include an overview of the County protest policy and next steps. • Following the debriefing meeting, each non-selected proposer may submit an intent to request a Proposed Contractor Selection Review as instructed by County. • County completes negotiations with recommended proposer and the preparation of final contract documents. • Recommended proposer submits Letter of Intent stating that it will execute the contract following the completion of County's protest process with non-selected proposers and the approval of the contract by the Board of Supervisors. • Each non-selected proposer which submitted an intent to request a Proposed Contractor Selection Review may submit a request for Proposed Contractor Selection Review as instructed by County. • County conducts the Proposed Contractor Selection Review for each non-selected proposer which requested such a review as instructed by County, and issues a decision. • Following the Proposed Contractor Selection Review, each non-selected proposer may submit a request for review by the County Panel Review as instructed by County. • County Review Panel conducts review for each non-selected proposer which requested such a review as instructed by County. • County Review Panel report released. • DPSS files negotiated contract for Board of Supervisors approval. Public Records Requests: Under Board of Supervisors Policy Manual Section 5.055 (Services Contract Solicitation Protest), the proposal (not including confidential, proprietary, or trade secret portions) and related evaluation documents of the recommended proposer are available for public disclosure upon request when the County has: (i) concluded contract negotiations with such proposer; (ii) prepared the final contract documents; and (iii) received a Letter of Intent from such proposer stating that it will execute the contract following the completion of County's protest process with non-selected proposers and the approval of the contract by the Board of Supervisors. Also, if a non-selected proposer requests a review by the County Review Panel pursuant to the protest policy, then the proposal (not including confidential, proprietary, or trade secret portions) and related evaluation documents of such proposer are available for public disclosure upon request when such records are provided to the County Review Panel.
In light of recent developments concerning the federal, State, and County budgets, the declining economic conditions, and the need for pricing clarifications, on January 8, 2009, the County released Addendum Number Nine to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS) Request for Proposals (RFP # ESD 07-02) which requires each Proposer to resubmit Proposal Section 20 (Pricing Schedule Forms) of the Price Proposal, as well as Proposal Section 12 (Certification of Compliance), by February 9, 2009.
This submission shall replace the existing Proposal Section 12 (Certification of Compliance) and Proposal Section 20 (Pricing Schedule Forms) submitted by a Proposer for all purposes. This submission shall not change any other portion of a proposal, including, without limitation, the Management/Technical Proposal. RFP sections and appendices updated by Addendum Number Nine and the associated transmittal letter are posted on the LEADER Replacement System Project website at:
http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/RFP.cfm
NOTE: The Diligence Library contains information on the existing systems, including the LEADER Agreement and GEARS Agreement, which include current maintenance costs of these systems:
http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/diligence_library.cfm
The Release Notes for LEADER Build #214 dated 04/25/08 have been posted to the Diligence Library:
http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/pdf/buildnotes/LDR%20Build%20214_04252008.pdf
On a warm and sunny Saturday morning near Downtown Los Angeles, the fountain in Echo Park Lake was spraying a cool mist all across the horizon. The ducks didn't seem to mind the splash of refreshment as they playfully swam in a zig-zag across the lake. Even the volunteers setting up for the event at 7:00 a.m. had welcoming grins toward the breezy wetness.
The 31st Annual Lotus Festival was held on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008 and Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was there to represent the Department of Public Social Services on Saturday. Hundreds of children from all over Los Angeles and even from parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands stopped by the Toy Loan booth to receive small toy giveaways as the parents were educated on the benefits of the Toy Loan Program. Although the focus of Toy Loan was to make the children happy, the festival was aimed at educating the community on the culture of some of our neighbors here in Los Angeles.
The lotus flower is significant to the Asian cultures as a symbol of rebirth, purity and life. The festival is held in July when the lotus flower blooms. Echo Park Lake was selected as the site for the event due to its central location of local Asian and Pacific Islander communities and because it houses the largest lotus bed in the United States. The festival was originally named "The Day of the Lotus", and the purpose was to promote an awareness and understanding of the contributions by the Asian and Pacific Islander people to our culture and to the local and surrounding communities.
All-in-all, this was another successful event for Toy Loan and for the kids of L.A. County. The proof was in the huge smiles on the children's faces as they happily skipped away from the Toy Loan booth with their toys.
On Saturday, February 23, 2008, Toy Loan & Volunteer Services will be once again on Skid Row (Towne Ave between 6th & 5th) helping to serve a hot meal to almost 3,000 expected individuals and families at this event. Please join us for another great opportunity to serve. Contact your Office Volunteer Liaison or Rafael Navarro, Departmental Volunteer Coordinator for more information (213) 744-4348.Last Years Event:
On a cool yet sunny day in mid-February, 112 hard-working individuals stood in line waiting for plates of food so they could serve others, prepared and handed out "goody bags" to all who came by and even cooked up a storm as they tried to keep up with the fast-paced demand of feeding 3,500 hungry citizens of Los Angeles. Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was hard at work at the "Friends Serving Friends, Annual Homeless Feed," sponsored by Mothers-In-Action and the Brotherhood Crusade. Many DPSS volunteers were happily helping out other vendors at their booths doing various different duties.
Everything was on schedule, working like clockwork, all booths were running full speed ahead, but one. Unfortunately the most anticipated booth, by both children and adults, the cotton candy and popcorn booth, was empty. The owner of the booth had to run to another event and her staff that was scheduled to run the booth had called in sick. It looked like no one would be enjoying popcorn or cotton candy.
Just then five DPSS volunteers stepped up and offered their help. Federico Mora and Eric Carter from Wilshire Special, Carolyn Johnson from Medi-Cal Outstation East, Am Demeissie from GAIN Region III and Genesse Menjivar, an employee's daughter all agreed to man the booth until all the "honored guests" were happily satisfied with their share of the warm, crunchy, yellow, air-popped kernels and the sugary, soft, pastel-colored cotton candy that melts in your mouth.
It is the dedication and self-less acts of volunteers such as these men and women that represent the ideals that DPSS strives for. On a daily basis our employees exemplify the values of the Department's mission statement, "To Enrich Lives Through Effective and Caring Service." It is only occasionally that we are able to publicly recognize the ones that stand out, such as the people mentioned above. With our deepest gratitude, we thank each and every one that volunteers for our DPSS Volunteer Services events.
Lend a 'Helping Hand'&Participate in DPSS' Adopt-A-Family Program
Bring joy to someone's life this holiday season and become a sponsor in the Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) Adopt-A-Family program. Each year, this heartfelt and longstanding tradition continues to bring smiles to hundreds of needy families served by DPSS.
L.A. County staff, individuals, groups, community members, and local businesses can all participate in this joyous and gratifying event (as sponsors). Sponsors are provided with the "adoptee's" contact information along with their "wish list" of requested items. These items range from grocery items, clothing, gift wishes, or toy requests. The 'Spirit of Giving' is contagious and numerous volunteers who in past years have participated in this program have voiced this heartfelt sentiment. Volunteers so enjoy participating in the program that some gather together family, friends, and co-workers and hold "gift basket parties" where each person contributes items and their personal touch to the specially prepared holiday baskets. This activity is fun for the volunteers and a delight for the beneficiaries to receive!
The Adopt-A-Family program's continued success can be attributed to the hundreds of volunteers that see the program as a worthwhile endeavor and generously donate their time and gifts. Los Angeles is fortunate to have caring people sharing and bringing joy to those in need.
The Adopt-a-Family program is the gift that can be enjoyed and cherished year-round by the Adoptee and the Sponsor alike. If you, a group of co-workers, family members, or friends are looking to make a difference this Holiday Season, the Adopt-A-Family is the program for you. Choose to make a difference in someone's life this holiday season and keep the spirit of effective and caring service alive. To get started call Rafael Navarro, DPSS Volunteer Services Program Coordinator, at (213) 744-4348 no later than Thursday, November 29, 2007.
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
-Sir Winston ChurchillThe Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is assessing the feasibility of releasing a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contract providing: (1) (a) system management/operations and telecommunications, and (b) application software modifications and/or enhancements associated with legal and policy changes, for the Los Angeles Eligibility, Automated Determination, Evaluation and Reporting (LEADER) System; and (2) taking over the existing vendor's contractual obligations, including assisting the County in data conversion from the LEADER System to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS).
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to help DPSS determine the level of interest in the vendor community with regard to the possible release of an RFP for a contract to provide the above referenced goods and services. We are asking that you respond to this RFI by September 15, 2008, indicating your company's willingness to respond to a possible future RFP.
Please be aware that this RFI is unrelated to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS) Request for Proposals (RFP).