Administrative
Report
H.20., File # 22-4683 Meeting Date: 9/6/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: SUSAN ANDERSON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION FOR
THE PROVISION, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ADVANCED NETWORK (DATA)
SERVICES FOR THE LIBRARY PUBLIC ACCESS NETWORK FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $58,264 AND THE TERM SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 TO JULY 1, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting the approval of a four (4) year agreement with Columbia Telecommunications Corporation (CTC) to continue the provision and maintenance of Advanced Network (Data) Services for the Library public access network, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $58,264 with expected reimbursements that will lower the total amount by an estimated $43,968, resulting in a total estimated four (4) year net cost to the City of $14,296.
The proposed Agreement provides the 1GB high speed Internet connection to both Wi-Fi and PC users on the Library public access network. The connection will serve both the Main and North Branch libraries. The Internet connection must be dedicated to public access functions and will not serve any other City operations.
BACKGROUND
The California State Library and the Corporation for Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) have been working together to bring high-speed broadband to all of California’s public libraries by connecting them to the California Research & Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity 3,800- mile fiber-optic-based network designed to meet the unique requirements of over 20 million users, including the vast majority of K-20 students together with educators, researchers, and others working in California’s vital public-serving institutions. This network is operated by CENIC, a non-profit California corporation that connects and advances education and research statewide by providing the world-class network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. As part of this initiative, the Redondo Beach Public Library connected to CalREN in 2016.
CTC has been contracted by the California State Library to create the contracts with participating libraries for the services that deliver high-speed broadband to libraries and enable them to use the CalREN network. This Agreement terminates any prior agreements entered into between any entity that previously served as the Broadband Administrator and the Library for the purpose of participating in the CENIC E-Rate Consortium or receiving series pursuant to that program.
Through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, CENIC obtains quotes for services from
H.20., File # 22-4683 Meeting Date: 9/6/2022
Through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, CENIC obtains quotes for services from telecommunication providers on behalf of participating libraries. These quotes are presented to libraries for their review. Prices on high-volume purchases like these are often lower than the state negotiated CALNET 3 rates and represent a significant savings for the City.
CENIC will bill CTC, and CTC will bill the Library for actual costs of circuits charged by network service providers, including taxes and surcharges and without markup. The City is eligible to receive reimbursement pending the approval of CENIC’s Library consortium E-rate application by the FCC’s E-rate contractor. As such, not all applicable E-rate and California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) discounts will be reflected on the invoices. E-rate is the commonly used name for the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access.
After the E-rate application for any given year is approved, the network service provider will coordinate with CENIC to provide appropriate credits and such credits will be passed from CENIC to CTC and from CTC to the Library. Such credits are typically issued sometime during the fiscal year after the year in which the circuits are installed and services are first provided. In subsequent years, credits continue to be issued in the fiscal year following the prior service year.
By connecting to CalREN, Redondo Beach Public Library has seen its bandwidth increase from an average of 150 Megabits per second (Mbps) to an average of 1 Gbps. With this increase in bandwidth, the Library can potentially provide enhanced access to information and the increasing number of cloud-based services available to the general public.
COORDINATION
The Library Department coordinated with CTC to structure this Agreement. The Agreement was reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the agreement’s total annual cost of $14,566 is available in the Library Department’s operating budget. The City expects to receive an E-rate discount, estimated at $10,992 each year, 6 months after the beginning of each service period, reducing the annual net cost to the City to $3,574.
On a monthly basis, the E-rate discount reduces the City’s net cost to approximately $298 per month.
The agreement’s total four-year not to exceed amount before the discount/rebate is $58,264 and after the reimbursement is only $14,296.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agreement with Columbia Telecommunications Corporation for Advanced Network (DATA) Services