[nfbmi-talk] FOIA Response to Request for Information on Contract Between BSBP/LARA, Perkins & FCC

Tue Oct 29 12:11:48 UTC 2013

Please explain to me why I have to wait 2-weeks to find out if I have the privilege to pay for a document when that document was supposed to be used as supporting evidence when, according to Mr. Rodgers the attorneys general needs to write a demand to Perkins School for the Blind, requesting financial compensation on the "I Can Connect" program.

If the copy of the document was searched out for the AG, why does another search have to be performed in my case? I did submit my request in time for the AG's operation.

  ----- 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