TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Bruce Moe, Finance Director
Leilani Flores Emnace, Information Systems Manager
Gwen Eng, Purchasing Manager
SUBJECT:Title
One-Year Contract with Verizon California, Inc. to Provide Telecommunications Services Including Integrated Services Digital Network, Digital Signal 1 and CentraNet Telecommunications Services with an Estimated Annual Value of $49,729 (Finance Director Moe).
APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
a) Waive formal bidding per Municipal Code Section 2.36.140 (waivers) and
b) Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year contract with Verizon California, Inc. to provide Integrated Services Digital Network, Digital Signal 1 and CentraNet telecommunications services with an estimated value of $49,729.
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The current annual cost to the City for these services is approximately $49,729 and these new agreements will result in an $80 annual decrease due to a small tariff change.
DISCUSSION:
Verizon is offering the City a one-year contract, which will replace the current agreement, which is about to expire. These new agreements cover Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Signal 1 (DS1) and CentraNet telecommunications services.
The ISDN agreement covers service for incoming calls as well as the Direct Inward Dial (DID) bank of phone numbers (e.g., 310-802-xxxx) the City utilizes. The DS1 agreement allows for public safety staff to communicate, using their mobile data computers, directly to South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority (RCC) and the Sheriff's Data Network. Lastly, the CentraNet agreement covers a bank of phone numbers used to channel all outgoing calls and provides the caller's exact location for emergency 911 responses. In addition, several lines are used to provide fire and phone service at several park facilities including Sand Dune Park. A total of 104 outgoing lines are included.
While Verizon is the traditional local telephone carrier for most of Manhattan Beach (a small portion along northern boundary of the City is served by another carrier), telephone service is now available from a variety of carriers and resellers. However, any change from the established carrier for this vital function will require extensive analysis and evaluation before considering an alternative to a proven service provider. Until such analysis is accomplished, staff believes it is in the City's best interest to enter into a new one-year agreement with Verizon.
While this is a low priority, it is staff's intention to review service providers during the coming year and determine if there are more suitable, cost effective solutions for this vital service (including Internet-based solutions). In the interim, this agreement will provide the City with continued stable and reliable service for the phone lines, while also locking in lower rates than those the City will receive without such agreement. Without the benefit of an agreement, the annual costs would be over $80,000.
The rates under this plan are provided by Verizon to agencies willing to commit to a one-year term. Because this pricing plan was not formally bid, staff is requesting the City Council waive formal bidding per Municipal Code Section 2.36.140 (waivers). Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a new one-year contract with Verizon for Integrated Services Digital Network, Digital Signal 1 and CentraNet telecommunications services.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
a) Waive formal bidding per Municipal Code Section 2.36.140 (waivers) and
b) Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year contract with Verizon California, Inc. to provide Integrated Services Digital Network, Digital Signal 1 and CentraNet telecommunications services with an estimated value of $49,729.
Attachment:
1. Agreement with Verizon California - CentraNet and ISDN-PRI Services