[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information onContract Between BSBP/LARA, Perkins & FCC

joe harcz Comcast joeharcz at comcast.net
Mon Oct 28 20:58:37 UTC 2013


This is so simople ...The evil doers at BSBP wish to turn everything, even 
simple and basic  inquiries in to some sort of FOIA requests. And each and 
everyone of them are obfications of the original requests which is both 
maddening, mad making (goes to damages), and uttterly nuts fior lack of any 
other definition.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marcus Simmons" <president at map-n.org>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 4:22 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Information 
onContract Between BSBP/LARA, Perkins & FCC


As the sands pass thru the hourglass.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Haynes, Carla (LARA)
To: president at map-n.org
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; 
Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Jones, Leamon (LARA) ; Gaston, Diamalyn (LARA) ; 
Duell, Elsie (LARA)
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 3:04 PM
Subject: FOIA Response to Request for Information on Contract Between 
BSBP/LARA, Perkins & FCC


October 28, 2013



Mr. Marcus Simmons

E-mail: president at map-n.org

28179 Brentwood

Southfield, MI  48076-3069



Re:  FOIA Response to Request for Information on Contract between LARA/BSBP, 
Perkins School for the Blind and the FCC



Dear Mr. Simmons:



This email is in response to your October 21st, 23rd & 27th, 2013, email 
requests for information.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for 
Blind Persons is combining these requests and processing them under the 
state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.  This request 
was received by this office on October 22, 2013.



You have requested information as described in your emails (which are also 
below) as:

"..Apparently, Perkins renegotiated the contract with LARA earlier this year 
and signed the agreement in April of 2013.  However, in July of 2013, 
Perkins refused to pay for services and directed providers to seek their 
money from BSBP.  Therefore, I am requesting a copy of that contract."



(Description from email of 10-23-13): "I am writing you today to request a 
copy of the contract between the Perkins School for the Blind and DSBP 
concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" program in which you alluded 
to in your comments on Saturday at the NFBMI State Convention."



(Description from email of 10-27-13): "I am writing you today for the third 
time to request a copy of the contract between the Perkins School for the 
Blind and DSBP concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" program in 
which you alluded to in your comments on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at

FOIA Response - M. Simmons

October 28, 2013

Page 2 of 2



the NFBMI State Convention. The audio clip is attached for your 
recollection."



In order to determine the extent of the research time, the size and number 
of records of nonexempt information within BSBP responsive to your request, 
a search must be undertaken.  For this reason, it is necessary to extend the 
time for response, as permitted by Section 5(2)(d) of the FOIA, through 
November 12, 2013, for your request.



If it is determined that there is a cost involved in the processing of this 
request, you will be sent an email which will include an invoice outlining 
that cost (before or no later than November 12, 2013).  This email may 
either request a deposit (if the cost is over $50.00) or request payment of 
the total cost if the amount is under $50.00.



Please note that nothing within the federal American with Disabilities Act 
(ADA ), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA), as amended, or 
the state's FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) requires a public body to process FOIA 
requests free of charge.  Further, while the ADA and Section 504 of the RA 
may mandate that, upon request, material be produced in an accessible format 
without charge, neither the ADA or Section 504 of the RA preclude a public 
body from charging costs under the state's FOIA. Thusly, please note that no 
labor fee charges have been, or will be, assessed to convert existing, 
nonexempt public records responsive to your requests into an accessible 
format to forward to you.



Sincerely,



Carla Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons



Attachments - 3:  Email Requests for Information



cc:     Edward F. Rodgers II, Sue Luzenski

          Mike Pemble, Katie Belknap

          Jones, Leamon, Elsie Duell



From: Marcus Simmons [mailto:president at map-n.org]
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2013 8:37 AM
To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
Subject: I Dan Connect contract

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

I have been advised from two sources on the progress of the "I Van Connect" 
program., from you and Senator Gregory. In both statements it was alluded to 
a signed contract between both parties.
REF.:

"Senator Gregory was advised that the program is offered through the Federal 
Communication Commission (FCC) and is part of a 3 party contract between the 
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) in LARA, the Perkins School for 
the Blind (Perkins) and the FCC.  The contract calls for Perkins to expend 
funds for all program costs and to then seek reimbursement from BSBP.  BSBP 
then submits the information to the FCC, and they send the funds to LARA to 
pay Perkins.  It is a grant program through the FCC which Perkins agreed to.

Apparently, Perkins renegotiated the contract with LARA earlier this year 
and signed the agreement in April of 2013.  However, in July of 2013, 
Perkins refused to pay for services and directed providers to seek their 
money from BSBP."

Therefore, I am requesting a copy of that contract.

Changing what it means to be blind,
Marcus Simmons, President,
Wayne County chapter NFBMI
28179 Brentwood
Southfield, MI 48076-3069
president at map-n.org
(248) 552-8928





From: Marcus Simmons [mailto:president at map-n.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 4:03 PM
To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
Cc: Luzenski, Sue (LARA)
Subject: request a copy of contract between Perkins School for the Blind and 
DSBP FOIA ada 504 I Can Connect



Dear Mr. Rodgers, Edward (LARA),



I am writing you today to request a copy of the contract between the Perkins 
School for the Blind and DSBP concerning obligations  in the "I Can Connect" 
program inwhich you alluded to in your comments on Saturday at the NFBMI 
State Convention.



Changing what it means to be blind,
Marcus Simmons, President,
Wayne County chapter NFBMI
28179 Brentwood
Southfield, MI 48076-3069
president at map-n.org
(248) 552-8928





From: "Marcus Simmons" <president at map-n.org>
To: "Rodgers, Edward (LARA)" <rodgerse at michigan.gov>
Cc: "Luzenski, Sue (LARA)" <LuzenskiS at michigan.gov>, "nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org" 
<nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Third request for a copy of contract between Perkins School for the 
Blind and DSBP

Dear Mr. Rodgers, Edward (LARA),

I am writing you today for the third time to request a copy of the contract 
between the Perkins School for the Blind and DSBP concerning obligations  in 
the "I Can Connect" program inwhich you alluded to in your comments on 
Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the NFBMI State Convention. The audio clip is 
attached for your recollection.

If I don't hear from you, I will assume that no contract exists. If this is 
the case, the information I received from Perkins is correct indicating the 
only support they provide is "some services in Michigan (database and 
equipment procurement)" and that is all.

Maybe the source of funds comes from subcontracted fund manager, RLSA of 
Pennsylvania or somewhere else.

This needs to be resolved immediately.
In any case, why hold the clients hostage. Maybe you should consider using 
some of the roll-over funds from last year to complete your obligation, 
therefore not tying up earmarked funds to replace the grant money, since 
this is a temporary situation and the funds will be restored shortly.

I expect to hear from you promptly on this matter.

Cordially,
Marcus Simmons - President
ASE Certified Technician
Motown Automotive Professionals nonprofit
A 501(C)(3) Public Charity
55390 Lion Industrial Drive
New Hudson, MI 48165-8544
(248) 552-8928
See our story at:
http://www.carcrazycentral.com/Video.aspx?VideoID=306
And get more information at:
http://www.map-n.org
Email: president at map-n.org<mailto:president at map-n.org>





Carla Miller Haynes

LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 30652

Lansing, MI  48909

Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200

Fax:  517-335-5140



www.michigan.gov/bsbp





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