CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of an Agreement with BCS Consultants for Phase II Public Wi-Fi Expansion Project (Commerce Connect) Utilizing the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) Cooperative Purchasing Program Meeting Date: July 28, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution:
Approving an agreement with BCS Consultants for a not-to-exceed amount of $604,800 for the Phase II Public Wi-Fi Expansion Project (Commerce Connect) utilizing the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) cooperative purchasing program.
Authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and any documents necessary to implement the project, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Adopting a Resolution appropriating $756,000 from the Project Management Fund to support the costs for Phase II of the project.
Authorizing up to 15% ($90,700) of the cost for contingencies for unforeseen conditions.
Authorizing up to 10% ($60,500) of the cost for Management and Inspection Services, pursuant to the City’s On-Call professional consulting services agreements.
Authorizing the implementation of a sponsorship and/or advertising program on the Commerce Connect public Wi-Fi landing page to help offset ongoing operating costs, with the specific program administered by the City Manager or designee.
BACKGROUND:
Access to reliable digital connectivity has become increasingly essential for residents to access services, complete educational and employment-related tasks, and support day-to-day activities. As technology continues to evolve, communities across the country are working to expand public access to wireless internet in order to address the digital divide that can disproportionately affect seniors, low-income households, and other underserved populations. By providing reliable internet connectivity in certain community spaces, the City can improve access to information and services and encourage greater community engagement.
As part of the effort in bridging the digital divide in the City of Commerce, the City previously implemented Phase I (interior coverage) of its Public Wi-Fi initiative going live with Commerce Connect at six City facilities: City Hall, Brenda Villa Aquatic Center, Senior Center, Teen Center, Bristow Park, and Bandini Park (to go live by the end of the month). Building on that investment, the City is now ready to begin the implementation of Phase II (exterior coverage) at the same locations. The expanded outdoor wireless coverage would improve public access while establishing a standardized wireless infrastructure capable of supporting future technology initiatives. The project is intended to provide residents and visitors with reliable outdoor internet connectivity while improving the City’s technology infrastructure.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed agreement with BCS Consultants provides a comprehensive, turnkey solution for the design, installation, configuration, testing, and implementation of the City’s Phase II Public Wi-Fi Expansion Project. Rather than simply purchasing wireless equipment, the City is procuring a complete network infrastructure solution that will be fully installed, configured, tested, and placed into operation by the contractor. This approach ensures that all network components are professionally engineered, installed, integrated, and tested as a complete enterprise wireless system.
The scope of work includes:
Engineering and design of each wireless network;
Installation of communications infrastructure;
Structured cabling and mounting hardware;
Enterprise network gateways;
Managed network switches;
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems;
Installation and configuration of 76 enterprise-grade wireless access points throughout the six project locations; Coordination and installation of internet service;
Network configuration, security programming, and system integration; Coverage testing, performance validation, and system commissioning; Project management and implementation oversight.
Once complete, the project will provide seamless outdoor wireless coverage across the parks and community facilities. The wireless network will be centrally managed by the City's Information Technology Division and will remain segregated from the City's internal business network through security controls. This design protects City systems while providing reliable public internet access. The network infrastructure is also designed to complement the City’s long-term fiber optic initiative. As fiber infrastructure becomes available, the City may be able to transition network connectivity from commercial internet services to the City’s fiber network, potentially reducing ongoing operating costs while providing greater bandwidth and capacity for future technology initiatives.
Staff evaluated available procurement options and determined that utilizing the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) cooperative purchasing program provides the most efficient procurement method. The CMAS contract was competitively solicited and awarded by the State of California, allowing local agencies to leverage pre-negotiated pricing while satisfying the City's purchasing requirements and avoiding duplication of the formal competitive bidding process.
Following project completion, BCS will also provide recurring maintenance, monitoring, technical support, and internet connectivity services for each project location to help ensure long-term system reliability and performance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the proposed agreement will authorize the implementation of the Phase II Public Wi-Fi Project (Commerce Connect) at the aforementioned City facilities and parks. The total one-time cost of the project is $604,800, which includes equipment, materials, installation, network configuration, testing, and implementation of the complete wireless infrastructure. The estimated one-time costs are summarized below:
Estimated Project Cost
$604,800
Contingencies (15%)
90,700
Management and Inspections (10%)
60,500
Total
$756,000
While Veterans Park is currently closed, the proposed agreement includes the equipment and installation necessary to support future deployment at that location. Including Veterans Park as part of the initial agreement allows the City to complete the project under a single contract and avoids the need for staff to return to the City Council for a future contract amendment or additional appropriations when the park reopens.
If approved, the City Council will authorize a one-time appropriation of $756,000 from the City’s Project Management Fund, an assigned fund balance designated for one-time expenditures, to support the implementation of phase II. The agreement is being procured through the CMAS, allowing the City to utilize competitively established cooperative pricing while expediting project delivery.
In addition to the initial installation, the project includes recurring maintenance, technical support, and internet service totaling approximately $5,099 per month – approximately $61,200 annually, subject to future adjustments in service rates. These ongoing costs will be incorporated into future annual operating budgets, as applicable.
To help offset these ongoing costs, the City Council may authorize the implementation of a sponsorship or advertising program on the public Wi-Fi landing page as part of this action. If approved, staff will incorporate the City Council’s direction into the implementation of the Commerce Connect public Wi-Fi network.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Disapprove recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
Recommended by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Professional Services Agreement with BCS Consultants
State of California Department of General Services CMAS Cooperative Purchasing Contract BCS Consultants Proposal
Resolution
1