CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 25-284, Cellular Phone Services, to Verizon Wireless for an amount not to exceed $338,000 and for a one-year term
body
DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
SUBMITTED BY: Jacqueline Nguyen, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Certain staff positions are assigned smartphones to enhance their productivity and to promote timely and effective communications with other staff, the Mayor and City Council members, and vendors and contractors.
The City procures cellular phone services using the State of Illinois cooperative contract with Verizon Wireless. The contracted services include voice, text, and data, as well as a smartphone for each user. The cost of the smartphone is included in the monthly costs and is available for an upgrade every 10 months.
The IT Department periodically audits and reviews cell phone services. IT staff partners with department leadership review cell phone services against the guidelines in the City’s Mobile Device Policy. The table below shows the cell phone count by department as of September 5, 2025.
|
City Manager's Office |
5 |
|
Community Services |
4 |
|
Legal |
2 |
|
Finance |
2 |
|
Human Resources |
9 |
|
Electric Utility |
87 |
|
Water Utilities |
64 |
|
DPW |
52 |
|
Fire Department |
49 |
|
Police Department |
255 |
|
Naper Settlement |
21 |
|
TED |
40 |
|
IT |
36 |
|
TOTAL |
626 |
The cellular voice and data service provider markets are very competitive as service providers offer plans and promotions that change regularly and can contain complex terms and conditions. The IT Department monitors and periodically evaluates alternative service providers.
At this time, Verizon has kept up with competitors regarding price reductions and feature additions. Staff is not aware of any material change in cost or performance from an alternative vendor that would offset the significant effort and cost of switching service providers. The terms of the current state contract with Verizon allow the City to terminate service at any time without penalty.
DISCUSSION:
Verizon has provided acceptable service with few problems. The IT Department recommends the award of cellular phone services under the State of Illinois cooperative contract to Verizon for the period through October 2, 2026. This state contract has been extended until October 2, 2026, while a new solicitation is being conducted.
Staff has identified an approved cooperative contract, State of Illinois Contract CMS793372P, through Cellco Partnership Dba Verizon Wireless, for the procurement of Cellular Phone Services.
The term of the procurement is from date of award through October 2, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP #: N/A
Cellular phone services are expensed to the account number listed below. The requested award totals $84,500 for 2025, which is favorable to the remaining budget of $121,464.08 for this expense. In 2026, the requested award totals $253,500, which is favorable to the budgeted amount of $348,000, assuming a full year of spending will reflect $338,000.
|
Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
16101100-542415 |
General Fund |
$647,399.00 |