To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MIKE COOK, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH NC COMMUNICATIONS FOR LOW VOLTAGE CABLING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS/DATA CENTER SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $34,999, FOR THE TERM SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 TO SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NC Communications will complete on-call services on an as-needed basis for low voltage fiber optic and copper cabling installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance services in support of various city operations including, but not limited to the maintenance and expansion of data networks, voice networks, data centers, telecommunication spaces, and infrastructure. NC Communications is a local business with state-of-the-art equipment, comes highly recommended by its customers, and is the same company leveraged by our telecommunications service providers for complex and urgent services such as fiber optic cable splicing and repair.
BACKGROUND
The Information Technology Department has historically received cabling services from various sources including Public Works staff, contractors, and from resources within the Information Technology Department. The resulting infrastructure contains a variety of differing cabling systems, standards, coloring, and numbering which is frequently undocumented and difficult to troubleshoot and maintain. Incorrectly installed or insufficiently documented cabling infrastructure can lead to extended service interruptions which can impact the entire City, including critical life safety operations.
In recent months, a combination of increased work load and retirements within the Public Works and Information Technology Departments has led to significantly increased lead times for low voltage cabling work, often delaying projects which depend on new cabling infrastructure, by several months.
With the City proposing numerous, large-scale projects reliant upon low voltage cabling infrastructure (public WiFi, Municipal Broadband, etc.) staff recommends contracting with NC Communications to improve the quality of the cabling infrastructure and reduce turnaround times for the completion of critical cabling projects.
COORDINATION
Information Technology staff coordinated directly with NC Communications and the Public Works Department to structure and scope the project services agreement. The Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the Agreement is available in the Information Technology Department’s FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. The total not to exceed cost of the Agreement is $34,999.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - NC Communications
• Insurance - NC Communications