CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approve the award of Option Year One of Cooperative Procurement 21-344, Mobile Broadband Data Services, to Verizon Wireless for an amount not to exceed $133,000 and for a one-year term
body
DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
SUBMITTED BY: Jacqueline Nguyen, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
In October of 2021 the City Council awarded Cooperative Procurement 21-344, Mobile Broadband Data Services, to Verizon Wireless for a period of one year. This award is for the first of two option years to extend those services.
Mobile broadband data services provide wireless data connections that enable enhanced productivity through the use of laptop computers when working in the field, and through networking various mobile technology systems.
Many City departments make use of these network services through many applications and systems. Some examples include the Police and Fire Departments using computer-aided dispatch applications with automatic vehicle location information, the Department of Public Works using job management applications, and the Water and Electric Utilities using remote monitoring applications. The use of mobile broadband data services continues to grow, for example, the uploading of video from Police Department in-car camera systems, and the use of LTE interworking in the Public Safety LMR radio network.
The City procures cellular phone services using the State of Illinois cooperative contract with Verizon Wireless. The contracted services include several options for data service including unlimited plans and lower-cost limited plans with features to pool data usage.
The cellular voice and data service provider markets are very competitive. Service providers offer plans and promotions that change regularly and can contain complex terms and conditions. The Information Technology (IT) department monitors and periodically evaluates alternative service providers.
DISCUSSION:
Verizo...
Click here for full text