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Library <br />www.santa-ana.org/library <br />Item # 9 <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Staff Report <br />November 2, 2021 <br />TOPIC: Purchase of Robots, STEM Labs and Virtual Reality Units for the Library <br />AGENDA TITLE: <br />Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to RobotLAB for the Purchase of Two Robots <br />and Software Licenses, Three STEM Labs and 10 Virtual Reality Units (Revive Santa <br />Ana Program) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Approve a sole source purchase order to RobotLAB for the purchase of two robots and <br />software licenses for $48,089.97, three STEM labs for $49,470 and 10 virtual reality units <br />for $9,015 for a total amount of $106,574.97, subject to non-substantive changes <br />approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />A Revive Santa Ana funded program in alignment with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) <br />guidelines supporting Educational Assistance, the K-12 Robots in Residence and the <br />AStounD Program for youth on the Autism Spectrum will address the critical need to <br />improve digital literacy, support positive educational outcomes, build social-emotional <br />skills and prepare underserved youth for a future AI (artificial intelligence)-driven <br />workforce. <br />The K-12 Robots in Residence program will provide access to future edge technologies <br />and AI assisted learning in both active and passive program settings. The Santa Ana <br />Public Library proposes to purchase a variety of equipment that will allow youth <br />participants to interact with, build, and program robots. Through the Robo-Digi Buddies <br />Initiative, volunteers known as "Big Buddies" (4th-12th grade) help “Little Buddies” (Pre- <br />K-3rd grade) discover and explore robots. Robot kits will be available for checkout and <br />accompanied by hands-on, interactive programs delivered at the Library and in <br />underserved communities via the Library’s upcoming bookmobile, known as the <br />“Knowledge Mobile.” <br />The AStounD program provides access via services, support and socialization for youth <br />with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Santa Ana Public Library proposes to