TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 32020 with Sprint Solutions, Inc. and Contract No. 33427 with Verizon Wireless, for providing cellular phone, Blackberry and data services, and to increase the annual aggregate amount by $150,000 for a revised annual aggregate amount not to exceed $775,000; and
Increase appropriations in the General Services Fund (IS 385) in the Technology and Innovation Department (TI) by $150,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Technology and Innovation Department is responsible for administering cellular phone and data services for City departments. For many years, the City has used cellular devices as tools to enhance customer service and improve employee productivity and efficiency.
Currently, the City uses four vendors for cellular phone and data services: Verizon Wireless (Verizon), Sprint Solutions, lnc. (Sprint), T-Mobile USA, and AT&T Mobility (AT&T). All four providers meet our operational and customer service requirements.
Since 2006, the City has participated in a cooperative purchase agreement for cellular phone and data services under a Master Price Agreement with the State of California under the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA). The state agreement offers lower rates based on aggregate volumes and sets price caps on services and equipment. At that time, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into agreements for wireless and data service totaling $625,000 in aggregate across the various vendors. Subsequent agreements have revised the contract authority for specific vendors while maintaining the annual aggregate total.
In 2010, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 10-0151 to participate in the WSCA Participating Addendum with Sprint Nextel, as they are extended or renewed, and, concurrently, authorized execution of a new agreement with Sprint Nextel, in an annual amount not to exceed $445,000, to provide cellular telephone and blackberry services. Most recently, on March 18, 2014, the City Council authorized the adoption of Resolution No. 14-0032 to participate in the WSCA Participating Addendum, State of California Master Service Agreement with Verizon Wireless, as they are extended or renewed, and concurrently, authorized execution of an agreement with Verizon Wireless, in an annual amount not to exceed $250,000, to provide cellular phone and data services.
Demand for cellular and data services by City operations has increased significantly in recent years. As a result, the current level of contract authority for these services is insufficient to the City’s needs. Additionally, the City is preparing to enter into a contract with Digital EMS Solutions, Inc., to provide a new Electronic Patient Care Reporting System (ePCRS) solution. The system relies heavily on wireless and cellular technology. An essential component to this project will be the acquisition of over 100 mobile devices that will utilize cellular data services to intake patient information while responding to emergency calls. These additional demands necessitate the amendments to increase the Sprint and Verizon contracts by an annual aggregate amount of $150,000, for a revised annual aggregate amount not to exceed $775,000.
The cellular services budget appropriation limit has been reached and will need to be increased by $150,000 to accommodate these additional devices.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on June 26, 2017 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on July 3, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on July 18, 2017, to ensure that the necessary appropriations are in place, as we continue to provide support to the Long Beach Fire Department’s systems.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total annual expenditures for wireless and cellular technology with Sprint and Verizon Wireless will not exceed an aggregate $775,000 per year. Due to the additional annual expenditures, an appropriation increase of $150,000 in the General Services Fund (IS 385) in the Technology and Innovation Department (TI) is requested. Costs for cellular phones and data services are passed to client departments via the Technology and Innovation Department interdepartmental memorandum of understanding (MOU). Client departments will request additional appropriation to offset the costs of this service at a later date, as needed. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
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Respectfully Submitted,
BRYAN M. SASTOKAS
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER