(a) The department is authorized to contract with one (1) or more qualified private, nonprofit, or academic partners to design, operate, or administer components of the initiative.
(b) In awarding contracts pursuant to this section, the department shall consider:(1) Demonstrated experience operating agriculture-focused digital or media platforms;(2) Capacity to deliver statewide educational programming accessible to rural and underserved communities;(3) Evidence of partnerships with this state's farmers, schools, workforce organizations, or agricultural institutions;(4) Documented analytics demonstrating audience reach, user engagement, or marketplace participation;(5) Ability to support small, minority, and beginning farmers; and(6) Experience managing multi-partner, public-private initiatives.
(1) Demonstrated experience operating agriculture-focused digital or media platforms;
(2) Capacity to deliver statewide educational programming accessible to rural and underserved communities;
(3) Evidence of partnerships with this state's farmers, schools, workforce organizations, or agricultural institutions;
(4) Documented analytics demonstrating audience reach, user engagement, or marketplace participation;
(5) Ability to support small, minority, and beginning farmers; and
(6) Experience managing multi-partner, public-private initiatives.
(c) The department may give preference to partners who have previously deployed within this state:(1) Agriculture-focused media, including on streaming platforms;(2) Online workforce or educational tools; and(3) Producer-driven marketplace solutions.
(1) Agriculture-focused media, including on streaming platforms;
(2) Online workforce or educational tools; and
(3) Producer-driven marketplace solutions.
(d) This part must not be construed as restricting competition for state-issued contracts, nor as naming or designating any single private entity as an exclusive partner.