Frequently Asked Questions
SAM
What data does this eProcurement tool use?
The inputs used by SAM are informed by regulations and guidance across multiple industries. These regulation-derived inputs change depending on which industry is being calculated for.
re-open.com's SAM app is populated with publicly available building and people-specific data from every school in New York State. In addition, re-open.com uses complex statistical projections to pre-populate inputs for schools where limited information is available. Pre-populating this data ensures schools can use the SAM app as efficiently as possible, saving them valuable time.
These inputs are constantly being updated to reflect current protocols.
Access to the most recent guidance is available with a SAM license.What is procurement?
Procurement refers to the way entities obtain goods and services to provide the best return on investment (ROI). The process of procurement includes identifying requirements, strategic vetting and sourcing, price, and contract negotiation, purchasing, quality control, and record-keeping.
Procurement is a vital function of any entity and ensuring effective procurement is paramount as it streamlines the procurement process to reduce cost, time, and product waste.
The implementation of digitized procurement – known as eProcurement – and software encompassing machine learning, Big Data, and AI has increased the effectiveness of procurement. With advances in eProcurement tools, procurement processes are becoming a science rather than an estimation.
Who can use this eProcurement tool?
Anyone with a re-open.com account and a need to procure can use SAM as it is designed to empower individual staff and schools to control procurement for their environment. SAM doesn’t rely on the user having specialist knowledge – it does all the thinking for the user. Our customer support team at re-open.com has also created a variety of short videos on each feature of the SAM app along with other materials and support functions which are provided to your team once you sign-up.
For example, the SAM app is populated with publicly available building and people-specific data from every school in New York State. In addition, re-open.com uses complex statistical projections to pre-populate inputs for schools where limited information is available. Pre-populating this data ensures anyone, from school administration to educators, can use the SAM app as efficiently as possible, saving them valuable time.
While SAM is currently focused on PPE and specifically for the education department, in time it will be available to all industries and include a range of diverse products that can be recommended and purchased.
How are suppliers and their products monitored for compliance?
The SAM app integrates with suppliers on the Office of General Services centralized contract under the PPE and other items solicitation, which is a FEMA compliant solicitation. All our suppliers are vetted to the highest industry standards, ensuring the highest quality products and on-going compliance with FEMA reimbursement requirements.
re-open.com has an in-house process to meticulously vet suppliers to ensure supply chain transparency.
All re-open.com suppliers are vetted against the highest recognized industry classifications and certifications, including verifying minority-, women-, disabled-, and veteran-owned businesses.
What entities are eligible for Federal Funding to cover the cost of the SAM app?
The SAM app and the health and safety products it recommends support the safe re-opening of the U.S., including its public and charter schools. The SAM app and the products it recommends are considered 'allowable expenses' under the multi-year U.S. federal government's education stabilization funds, including the ESSER Fund (CARES Act), the ESSER II Fund (CRRSA Act), and the ARP ESSER (ARP Act).
At re-open.com, we have provided a simple to use search tool which collates the amount of federal funding allocated to New York’s local educational agencies (LEAs).
For information on the Education Stabilization Fund, which encompasses the ESSER Fund (CARES Act), the ESSER II Fund (CRRSA Act), and the ARP ESSER (ARP Act), please visit the Education Stabilization Fund website.
Note: At the time of writing, the U.S. Department of Education’s referenced website does not capture allocated funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act).
Each state government Department of Education will have further information on their planned uses of the allocated federal funds. We encourage you to speak with your school administration to understand the use of these allocations further.
What are 'allowable expenses'?
The ESSER Fund allows local educational agencies (LEAs) to use the funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and sanitizing materials, and similar supplies necessary to maintain school operations during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The multi-year federal government's education stabilization funds, including the ESSER Fund (CARES Act), the ESSER II Fund (CRRSA Act), and the ARP ESSER (ARP Act) are available now and through September 2024.
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 100% federal cost-share for allowable expenses under Public Assistance Category B has been extended until December 31, 2021.
When will SAM be available to other industries?
Upon SAM’s initial release, the focus is solely on education. However, additional industries are being fast-tracked to market, ensuring all physical environments can re-open safer and sooner.
If you are outside the education industry and are interested in utilizing SAM, please contact us.
What regulations and guidance does this eProcurement tool comply with and how are they kept up to date?
The SAM app condenses over 1000+ pages of Federal and State regulations into easily understood recommendations to achieve compliance.
SAM uses the most current guidance on the type, quantity and frequency of your health and safety products requirements from the following sources: CDC, NIH, FEMA, US Department of Education, FDA, OSHA, ESSER Fund (CARES Act), the ESSER II Fund (CRRSA Act), and the ARP ESSER (ARP Act), State education and health guidance and the NY HERO Act.
At re-open.com our team has numerous regulation experts and works with independent third party organizations to monitor and communicate changes in regulations that impact product recommendations. Only authoritative regulatory guidance at the federal and state level is incorporated into re-open.com’s product recommendations.
How can SAM help public, charter, and private schools?
Public and charter schools
The SAM app and the health and safety products it recommends support the safe re-opening of the U.S., including its public and charter schools. The SAM app and the products it recommends are considered 'allowable expenses' under the multi-year U.S. federal government's education stabilization funds, including the ESSER Fund (CARES Act), the ESSER II Fund (CRRSA Act), and the ARP ESSER (ARP Act).
Private, not-for-profit schools
On August 17, 2021, the White House released its Memorandum on Maximizing Assistance to Respond to COVID-19 which directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to extend the window for eligible state and non-state entities to receive 100% federal cost-share for allowable expenses under Public Assistance Category B. The window was extended until December 31, 2021 and includes both public education and private not-for-profit education.
Private, for-profit schools
While federal funding under the Education Stabilization Funds and FEMA’s Public Assistance Category B are not open to private, for-profit schools, the SAM App saves schools annually $144,000 on average, meaning the cost of an annual SAM app license will be recovered in just over two weeks.
Can I trial the SAM app before committing to purchase a license?
Every school in New York State is eligible for a 14-day free trial of the SAM app. The free trial gives NYS schools complete access to SAM for the duration of the trial. Throughout the trial, schools will be provided with full support from the team at re-open.com.
There is no obligation to continue using the app after the free trial and schools do not need to pay anything to begin the trial. If schools wish to continue the trial, a member of the re-open.com team will help with purchasing the right licence for their particular needs.
Licenses of the SAM app are considered an ‘allowable expense’ for Public and Charter Schools, meaning these schools can access federal funding for the SAM app for next three years. Not only is the solution reimbursed by the Government, but the products recommended by SAM are also covered.
re-open.com nis entirely web-based, meaning no software needs to be installed in order to use the platform or app.
What is the certificate of compliance and why is it helpful?
re-open.com provides users of the SAM app with a certificate of compliance for each order, on-demand.
The certificate outlines the key steps re-open.com has undertaken to address FEMA and other Federal Funding requirements, including adherence to supplier and product vetting requirements.
A certificate of compliance may also assist in demonstrating your organizations focus on risk management and therefore assist you in negotiating more advantageous insurance premiums.
What is SAM and how much does it cost?
Smart Analytical Model (SAM) is a predictive procurement solution that utilizes building and people-specific data to assist custodian and facility management staff to assess and source their specific product needs in the right quantity. Within SAM, users can access modules to help them understand a range of procurement and regulation-related areas. SAM is integrated with a trusted marketplace to ensure industries using the app can procure products from a secure and reliable supply chain.
I have questions about shipping or an ongoing order. What should I do?
We endeavor to have all our orders processed on the same day or day after an order is placed. Once an order is placed, you will be notified and receive tracking information. Orders are either shipped from our distribution center in New York, USA, where we partner with Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned business to coordinate the majority of our shipping, or directly from the manufacturer. Should one product in an order be delayed, you will be notified and the rest of your order will be sent out without delay.
If you have any questions about a specific order, please contact us.
What are the benefits of using SAM?
Aside from making your business, employees, customers, and communities safer in the long run, the SAM app significantly reduces both financial and physical waste.
For example, schools using the SAM app save, on average, $144,000 annually, ensuring there is money in the budget to spend on the things that are most important.
The SAM app also reduces oversupply and subpar product purchasing, which significantly reduces physical waste.
re-open.com
Do I have to set up an account to use re-open.com?
To use re-open.com and it’s apps, you will need to set up a free account. This account will give you access to available apps, order history, and subscriptions. With one re-open.com account, your business can manage apps for multiple locations.
How does re-open.com meet my organization’s specific re-opening strategy?
re-open.com is a platform of web-based apps that can be used by organizations to support their individual re-opening needs. These apps include the predictive procurement tool, Smart Analytical Model (SAM); the clinically backed health screening app, Vital Monitoring System (VMS); and the interactive data tool, Pandemic Economic Model (PEM), among others. re-open.com also provides modules to help users understand aspects of their re-opening strategy.
What privacy and data security measures are in place if my organization shares confidential information in our re-open.com account profile?
At re-open.com, we pride ourselves on providing services that give to others instead of taking things away. To provide the most help, we need to know about you and your buildings. Learning more about locations allows us to better recommend the optimal products and services for you. We minimise the need to use confidential data by using publicly available or statistically estimated information. In the event where we do need to use confidential information to provide you with a better experience, we will protect as per our privacy policy.
How does re-open.com demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
re-open.com has a commitment to supporting Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses and Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. We provide regular support to charities, including Special Operators Transition Fund (SOTF). Re-open.com was built to support businesses re-open and stay open regardless of their financial limitations or disadvantages.
What is re-open.com?
re-open.com is a cloud-based platform that learns about locations and recommends needed services and product types in their optimal quantities. Populated with multiple apps re-open.com supports industries now and into the future.
Find out more about re-open.com on our about page.How much does re-open.com cost?
The re-open.com platform is always free to use, as are some of the apps. Consider re-open.com like an app store – some applications are free to use, some require purchasing before they can be used, and some offer in-app purchases or subscriptions.
Buy Onshore
Where are the products on re-open.com manufactured?
Through re-open.com’s marketplace for direct procurement, our products are vetted to the highest standard with optimal onboarding and surveillance of suppliers and their supply chains. We prioritize local, minority owned and diverse suppliers who create the highest quality products.
What measures has re-open.com implemented to manage their supply chain to reduce PPE shipping delays and inventory issues encountered throughout the pandemic?
We partner with local suppliers to ensure the lessons learned through the depths of the pandemic about procurement are firmly in the past.
Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming a re-open.com supplier/vendor?
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out the form on our contact us page and one of our team will be in touch with you right away.
What is Buy Onshore?
Buy Onshore is a proprietary procurement marketplace solution that caters to the preference-based procurement needs of government, business, and individual. Buy Onshore is a trusted and transparent marketplace with reliable analytics and reporting. It is FEMA compliant due to its alignment of onboarding processes and reporting with federal procurement rules.
Why should I use Buy Onshore?
Buy Onshore is a trusted marketplace that is both FEMA compliant, through its thorough supplier vetting and reporting, and transparent in its operation. If you want a a marketplace you can trust, Buy Onshore is for you.
VMS
Who are your partners?
Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute
The Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) began operations as an Institute in January 2019. It is recognized internationally for its ground-breaking work integrating machine learning and pattern recognition into user-friendly software systems, including mobile and web applications.
Alfred Health
Alfred Health provides the most comprehensive range of healthcare services in Victoria, Australia. Alfred Health comprises three hospital campuses, a large network of community programs, and 15 state-wide services. Alfred Health is a leading partner in the Alfred Research Alliance with research collaborations linking health and medical research with education and healthcare delivery, providing the ideal environment for rapid translation of research findings into improved clinical practice and health policy.
The collaboration established between the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute and Alfred Health has resulted in significant joint projects with a focus on delivering clinical decision support systems that are currently deployed in Australia, India, Saudi Arabia and China.
Why should I consider VMS for my business?
COVID-19 infections and subsequent lockdowns will cost the United States an estimated $16 trillion by Fall 2021. As variants emerge and with the limited uptake and efficacy of vaccines, the future impacts are likely to exceed this figure.
VMS allows business to limit their exposure by ensuring a healthy workforce, and reliable opening strategies that minimize this risk. Businesses can be confident using VMS, knowing it adheres to regulations, as well as being eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
How does VMS Lite work?
Workplaces on re-open.com are subscribed to VMS Lite. Registered staff receive an SMS daily with a link to a web form to answer a few questions about their health based on the CDC guidelines. The system immediately informs staff whether they are fit for work or not valid for that day. Unlike VMS, VMS Lite doesn’t use clinical screening tools such as vital signs.
How does VMS work?
To begin using VMS, a workplace needs to have upgraded their subscription from VMS Lite to VMS and received a vetted Pulse Oximetry Device (POD) and Digital Thermometer (DT) for each staff member.
Registered staff receive an SMS daily with a link to a web form. Each staff member will take readings using their POD and DT, which will input their vitals in the web form. In addition, they will answer a few questions about their health.
Once the data is submitted, VMS quickly identifies any risk and determines whether the staff member is fit for work or not. The system immediately presents this information to the staff member along with a QR code (valid for the day) for them to scan in upon arrival at work.
What shoud I do if the VMS platform determines that I should not come to work?
Upon submitting your data, VMS uses research and applied science to place you into different categories. If you are unwell, it is suggested that you are seen by a healthcare professional. If you are moderately unwell, it is up to you to determine whether you are fit to attend the workplace or not. Your organization may or may not have protocols in place for this level. We would always advise seeking advice from a healthcare professional when unsure about your own health.
Does VMS apply only to COVID-19?
No. VMS predicts COVID-19 as well as other respiratory, pulmonary, and/or lung illnesses.
VMS is a multifunctional tool that can be applied across different sectors of our economy for a variety of illnesses.
How is employee confidentiality upheld?
Data collected through VMS Lite and VMS is not shared with employers. To ensure confidentiality, only the risk level – green, amber, or red – will be communicated from an employee to the employer’s dashboard.
Our system complies to regulations, ensuring the highest levels of scrutiny are applied.
How does the solution grow internationally?
While VMS initially focused on the US market, with successful clinical trials, we are now ready to enter the UK and European markets.
What are health screening tools?
Screening is not a diagnosis; however, it is a useful assessment of your health that can help identify signs of illness, distress, or deterioration. An interactive clinical assessment tool, such as re-open.com’s VMS, can assist users in deciding whether they are fit to operate as usual or if they need to seek medical care.
What is VMS and how much does it cost?
Vital Monitoring System (VMS) is a clinically proven risk management technology that uses algorithms to identify and predict respiratory illness risk indicators. Not only can VMS track clinical deterioration of users, but it can also predict it, all from the comfort of the user’s home.
Who can use VMS?
To use VMS or VMS Lite, a business must have a re-open.com account and subscribe to either VMS or VMS Lite. Once subscribed, workers in the business can use VMS from their mobile phones and the re-open.com account holder will have access to the VMS dashboard on re-open.com. Individual workers do not need a re-open.com account to use VMS.
PEM
What is economic modeling?
Economic modeling is research that analytically evaluates the cause and effect of an economic phenomenon on society. Quantitative economic models can be used to gain insight and quantify the economic and fiscal impact of an industry, a new or existing business, or a specific event on the economy. Models can focus on specific regions or the national economy.
How can economic modeling assist in re-opening?
Economic modeling can provide insights to assist re-opening strategies. The interactive PEM solution provides customized insights depending on a user’s specific needs. PEM takes complex data and presents it in an easy-to-understand way, leading to better-informed decision-making.
PEM assists re-opening efforts by helping users understand the potential impact of a given re-opening strategy, incorporating both direct and indirect economic effects.
Who developed the scope and created this economic model?
re-open.com developed the scope for PEM, identifying the need for its existence. Re-open.com engaged PwC’s National Economics and Statistics Group to create the economic model within the PEM.
Given the unprecedented shut down of the U.S. economy during the pandemic, re-open.com identified the need for U.S. economic data to be modelled and to have a scenario analysis generated from this data.
re-open.com designed the custom scope and requirements for the analysis to provide a source of sound data for decisions makers and other stakeholders to consider during their respective decision-making processes
Why was this economic model created?
PEM was created to examine the economic impact of both an economy-wide all-sector simultaneous re-opening and a single sector re-opening at the US national, state, and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) levels in terms of employment, labor income, value added, and tax payments.
Who benefits from this economic model?
PEM can be a useful tool for government officials and other stakeholders to gain valuable insights on the potential impact of the Covid-19 re-opening under a variety of alternative re-opening scenarios.
Does this economic model include data on job loss?
PEM displays historical data on the sectors in a given state or nationally that experienced the largest decline in employment due to the COVID-19 shutdown. PEM can also show the potential impact on the state or nation if 10-, 20-, or 50- percent of those lost jobs are restored through re-opening.
How does this economic model display growth from re-opening?
For each full or partial-re-opening scenario, PEM can display growth in a variety of ways, including growth in state-wide jobs, growth in state GDP, growth in state-wide labor income, and growth in state-wide tax payments.
Can this economic model show which sectors act as the greatest multipliers for growth?
Yes, PEM identifies the sectors that give each selected state the greatest multiplier effect on jobs, GDP, and labor income.
What time period does this economic model capture?
PEM is a snapshot in time. It currently incorporates historical economic data from the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020) following the January 31 declaration of a public health emergency, through the end of the calendar year December 2020.
Footsteps
How does Footsteps work?
Footsteps uses location intelligence which collects data about the movement of people and things within a space through sensors and smart devices such as smartphones, watches, or other internet-connected devices.
By measuring the presence of WiFi signals from devices, Footsteps can analyze how populations of people move through a building or indoor space. Specifically, the application can track where they go, how long they are there, and how often they come back.
This information can be used to drive incredible experiences such as helping employees find a meeting room when they need it, managing building utilities for more efficiency, or providing useful information for re-opening your businesses.
How many sensors do I need for Footsteps to work properly?
The number of sensors needed are largely dependent on your office space or the space you would like to collect data on. We use three different sensor types depending on the needs of our clients. One for mapping and positioning, another just for positioning, and one that provides detailed people counts.
Is my data private?
Yes, your personal data is private.
We are committed to supporting the right to privacy and protecting our customer data in accordance with up-to-date security standards.
We follow the standards set out in the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Californian Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), among other data privacy regulations to make sure your information is kept safe and remains safe.
What is Footsteps and how much does it cost?
Footsteps uses location intelligence to collect data about the movement of people and things within a space through sensors and smart devices such as smartphones, watches, or other internet-connected devices.
By measuring the presence of WiFi signals from devices, Footsteps can analyze how populations of people move through a building or indoor space. Specifically, the application can track where they go, how long they are there, and how often they come back.
This information can be used to drive incredible experiences such as helping employees find a meeting room when they need it, managing building utilities for more efficiency, or providing useful information for re-opening your businesses.FPA
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