TITLE
RESOLUTION APPROVING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN SUPPORT OF MICROSOFT�S ACCELERATE MIAMI-DADE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH INCREASED DIGITAL FLUENCY AND BASELINE SKILLS FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS CONTAINED THEREIN

BODY
WHEREAS, Microsoft Corporation recently launched an Accelerate Program designed to level the professional playing field for workers around the country and provide digital skills to twenty-five million people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft, in partnership with local government agencies, has already launched this program in three major markets: Atlanta, Texas, and New York; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft wishes to extend this program in Miami-Dade County; and

WHEREAS, Microsoft�s Accelerate Miami-Dade County Program is designed to contribute to the economic development goals of the County by providing County residents with increased digital fluency and baseline skills, and by enabling access to digital training and workforce development through education and access to digitally enabled employment through career services and a corporate partner-sponsored hiring pipeline; and

WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County desires to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft in order to provide County support and promotion of the Accelerate Miami-Dade Program by utilizing existing staff and resources to facilitate public events, provide leadership, guidance, and direction in the Accelerate Miami-Dade County Program�s development and execution; and

WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying Memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board approves the Memorandum of Understanding between Microsoft Corporation and Miami-Dade County in substantially the form attached hereto and made part hereof, and authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute such Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the County and to exercise all other rights contained therein for a three-year term.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Jose �Pepe� Diaz
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject:Resolution Authorizing Execution of Memorandum of Understanding between Microsoft
Corporation and Miami-Dade County to establish Accelerate Miami-Dade for a Three-
Year Term
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) authorize the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Miami-Dade County (County) and Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) for the purpose of establishing the Accelerate Miami-Dade program for a three-year term.


Scope
The impact of this MOU is countywide.

Delegated Authority
If this item is approved, the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee will have the authority to exercise all the provisions of the MOU during the term of the agreement, including any cancellation or extension provisions, pursuant to Section 2-8.1 of the County Code and Implementing Order 3-38.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
There is no fiscal impact to the County for the three-year term of this MOU.

Track Record I Monitor
This MOU will be monitored by the Director/CIO of ITD, Margaret Brisbane, to ensure compliance with the requirements.

Background
Microsoft recently launched an Accelerate program designed to level the professional playing field for workers around the country and provide digital skills to twenty five million people worldwide. By working collaboratively with local governments and additional public and private partnerships, the initiative aims to accelerate economic recovery from the impacts of the global pandemic, address the needs of the underserved communities who require digital skills to stay competitive, and empower them to seize future employment opportunities. Microsoft, in partnership with local government agencies, has already launched this program in three major markets: Atlanta, Texas, and New York.

The comprehensive Accelerate Miami-Dade County initiative is designed to contribute to the economic development goals of the County by providing County residents with increased digital fluency and baseline skills, and by enabling access to digital training and workforce development through education and access to digitally enabled employment through career services and a corporate partner-sponsored hiring pipeline.

Under the terms of the MOU, the County will utilize existing staff and resources to facilitate public events, provide leadership, guidance, and direction in the Accelerate Miami-Dade County program�s development and execution. In addition, the County will communicate messaging regarding the Accelerate Miami-Dade County program�s goals and progress to key stakeholders. The County will also review, monitor and track proposed economic development related metrics and KPIs to effectively communicate the value of the program to County residents.

As part of the agreement, Microsoft will design and build a comprehensive digital training program to address critical digital skills gaps across the County while leveraging existing Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning pathways and content (technical skills), as well as novel workforce readiness and development content (non-technical skills). Microsoft will deliver tailored digital skills and career readiness training through education partners based on a data-driven approach to skills gaps and training needs in the County�s market. In addition, paths will be established to employment opportunities through corporate partners and at Microsoft via internships, apprenticeships, or full-time employment upon successful completion of the training program and demonstration of skills required. Lastly, Microsoft will conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign through digital, print, and out-of-home marketing solutions, and also hold public events to highlight the Accelerate Miami-Dade County initiative�s progress with the cooperation of its Partners and the County.

Microsoft has agreed to make these community investments without seeking promises or favoritism for Microsoft in any bidding arrangements. This MOU also provides that any funding or in-kind benefits provided by Microsoft to the County in support of the Accelerate Miami-Dade County initiative is for the sole use and benefit of the County for County purposes only, and any investment in the Accelerate Miami-Dade County initiative must follow all applicable laws, regulations and ethics rules regarding gifts and donations.



____________________
Edward Marquez
Chief Financial Officer