TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution to participate in the Western States Contracting Alliance Participating Addenda with Sprint Solutions (State of California Master Service Agreement #7-10-70-15), Verizon Wireless (State of California Master Service Agreement #7-10-70-16), and AT&T Mobility (State of California Master Service Agreement #7-11-70-17); and authorize City Manager to execute agreements with Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T to provide cellular broadband services and modems in an aggregate annual amount not to exceed $482,000 for a period of three years. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Technology and Innovation is responsible for administering cellular broadband modem service for the City of Long Beach's mobile workforce. City building inspectors were the first to use broadband modems to access inspection data using laptop computers in the field. Other City departments with similar field requirements have since benefited from the use of this technology. The Police and Fire Departments upgraded their mobile data computer system to ruggedized laptop computers and tablets to enable more of staff's work to be completed in the field. By using cellular data modems, staff are able to remotely access the City's network allowing them to write reports, research computerized records, retrieve investigative database information and photographs, and access other City-related applications from the field.
Currently, the City has over 820 cellular data modems deployed, of which approximately 70 percent are used by Public Safety departments. As bandwidth capabilities continue to improve, the use of cellular data technology will continue to grow, enabling the use of more City applications from the field. For example, staff is also using this technology to enable remote video surveillance cameras to connect to the City network.
The State of California Department of General Services has executed Participating Addendum No. 7-10-70-15 with Sprint Solutions, Addendum No. 7-11-70-17 with AT&T Mobility, and Addendum No. 7-10-70-16 with Verizon Wireless under the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) cooperating purchase agreement for wireless products and services. City departments are currently using services provided by these three vendors under these agreements.
Section 1802 of the City Charter permits the City to participate in joint and cooperative purchasing agreements by adoption of a Resolution of the City Council authorizing purchases under contracts entered into by other governmental agencies, such as the WSCA agreement. The proposed Resolution allows purchases under the WSCA agreement for as long as it is in effect, and the City's participation may be terminated at any time with 30 days prior written notice.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell October 28, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The existing agreement for these services will expire on February 1, 2015. City Council action is requested on November 18, 2014 to allow the City to continue to use this technology and avoid service disruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total aggregate expenditures for this service will not exceed $482,000 annually. Sufficient funds have been budgeted in the General Services Fund (IS 385) and in the Technology and Innovation Department (TI) to support the cellular broadband services.
Costs for cellular broadband services are recovered from client departments and are budgeted through the annual Technology and Innovation (TI) Department MOU. There is no local job impact associated with this request.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE CELLULAR BROADBAND SERVICES AND MODEMS THROUGH THE CONTRACTS BETWEEN SPRINT/NEXTEL, VERIZON AND AT&T WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRIS WILDING
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER