CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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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
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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:
Verizon, the current mobile broadband data services vendor, has provided excellent service with minimal problems and has been responsive in troubleshooting any service problems that were identified. The Information Technology (IT) Department requests the award of the first of two option years. The term of the option year will be one year from October 3, 2022, through October 2, 2023, with one more option year remaining.
To Information Technology (IT) Department continues to monitor and evaluate alternatives to Verizon for any cost savings and/or performance gains. At this time, the IT Department 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, CMS793372P, allow the City to terminate service at any time without penalty. At the time of this procurement, Verizon and the State of Illinois were in negotiations over a new, updated contract.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Mobile broadband data charges are expensed to the account listed below. A total of $132,922 was budgeted in 2022 for which $106,047.49 has been expended. There are sufficient funds remaining to cover the 2022 portion of the contract. Staff has submitted a total of $145,000 as part of the 2023 Budget requests which are currently in review. Pending Council approval, the 2023 portion is projected to be within budget
|
Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget |
2023 Proposed |
|
16101100-542415 |
General Fund |
$518,739 |
$593,399 |