Administrative
Report
H.7., File # 22-3760 Meeting Date: 3/1/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CHRISTOPHER BENSON, INFORMATION TECH DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA CALNET 3 CONTRACT INDIVIDUAL CASE BASIS
LETTER WITH VERIZON BUSINESS GROUP FOR A DATA CIRCUIT TRANSPORT SPEED INCREASE FROM 50MBPS TO 250MBPS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT PURPOSES FOR AN ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED MONTHLY AMOUNT OF $286.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Currently, Public Safety mobile data computers securely access the City’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems (RMS) through Verizon Wireless and over a point-to-point 50Mbps data circuit. Although sufficient for the current CAD/RMS system, more bandwidth is needed for the new CAD/RMS system. The upgrade to 250Mbps will enable faster access to a wider variety of network services and provide for increased functionality and efficiencies for public safety mobile users. Application behavior has also changed in that updates take place more frequently and use significantly larger amounts of bandwidth, which can affect performance and wait times in a mission critical environment.
The CALNET 3 (CALNET) Individual Case Basis (ICB) letter and pricing, which requires written approval by CALNET, is used for a service that is unique because of issues such as complexity, facility availability, special construction or other service provisioning requirements. Verizon Business Group (Verizon) stated that our requested service upgrade meets these requirements.
The data circuit pricing also includes the cost of Verizon Private IP services which enables the City to extend private ethernet networks into the Verizon Wireless data network.
The original July 18, 2017 Verizon Master Agreement (governing agreement) is active on a month-tomonth status following the initial July 18, 2017 to July 17, 2020 service term. The CALNET Authorization to Order Form, executed in 2014 and required to order CALNET services, is still valid.
BACKGROUND
From 2002 to 2006 the Police Department operated its mobile data computers on a Motorola private radio network at a speed less than 19.2 kilobits per second. The system included infrastructure components (Radio Network Controller and Radio Base Station) and subscriber components (Radio Modems). The data transfer rate of this system was about the same as a dial-up modem with a home computer. Police vehicle computer access was limited to five to twenty miles outside the City boundaries depending on the surrounding topography. The data had to be routed through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s network and required the assistance of L.A. County network technicians to
H.7., File # 22-3760 Meeting Date: 3/1/2022
Angeles County Sheriff’s network and required the assistance of L.A. County network technicians to add or delete units.
From 2006 to 2008 mobile data computers were installed into Fire Department and Police Department vehicles. The IT Department then migrated the Police and Fire department’s data systems to a private point-to-point T1 communication line between the City’s network and Verizon Wireless. The increased communication throughput from 19.2 kilobits per second to 1.5 Megabits per second allowed firefighters and officers to access maps, photos, the City intranet and other files that provided for greater effectiveness in the field.
In 2010, the service was upgraded to 9.44 Mbps. This service allowed public safety staff to travel throughout Southern California (or wherever there is a Verizon Wireless signal), and retain access to the City’s CAD and RMS as well as state and federal databases. This has been very important when the two Departments have responded to mutual aid requests for fires, other disasters and civil disorder events. It is also important to police units serving warrants in other jurisdictions. This access, however, became limited in what it could support in terms of available bandwidth.
To accommodate more bandwidth consuming applications, the service was upgraded to 50Mbps in July, 2017. The need for more bandwidth to support public safety applications is reflective of the increasing reliance on and leverage of technology by public safety. The new 250Mbps circuit will meet the current bandwidth requirements of the City’s new CAD/RMS system and allow for the use of future bandwidth heavy applications.
COORDINATION
The data circuit speed upgrade was coordinated between IT staff and Verizon. The CALNET ICB letter was approved as to form by the City Attorney’s office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The added cost for the faster data circuit is $286/month and will be funded from the Information Technology Internal Service Fund. Estimated taxes and management fees are included in the monthly cost and could vary slightly. Circuit pricing has come down substantially since the 50Mbps implementation in July, 2017.
Existing 50Mbps Data Circuit Proposed 250Mbps Data Circuit Circuit Access $1,620.90 Circuit Access $1,797.06
Port Transport (50Mbps) 777.98 Port Transport (250) 865.31 Admin Fee 40.00 Admin Fee 40.00
Taxes 308.19 Estimated Taxes 339.80
Total Monthly $2,756.07 Estimated Tot Monthly $3,042.17 APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Verizon ICB Letter and Quote for Services
CALNET Authorization to Order Form
H.7., File # 22-3760 Meeting Date: 3/1/2022
CALNET Special Terms and Conditions (ICB - Section P)
Verizon Master Service Order Form to U.S. Services Agreement Verizon Certificate of Insurance through June 30, 2022