April 4, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: April 4, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager, Community
Services
Christopher Larsen, Administrative Librarian
Subject:
Sole-Source Agreement with Columbia Technology
Corporation (CTC)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of high-speed Internet service is included in the approved FY 2022-2023 library budget in an amount not
to exceed $10,000 and will be included annually through June 30, 2025 (10545055 400401 29A14). After a rebate,
the total cost will not exceed $1,000 annually.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
April 16, 2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Library is seeking approval of an agreement
between the Richmond Public Library and Columbia
Technology Corporation as the aggregator for CENIC
Broadband.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source agreement between Columbia
Technology Corporation (CTC) and the Richmond Public
Library in an amount not to exceed $10,000 annually, for the period of March 2022 to June 30, 2025, for an
aggregate amount not exceed $30,000, to provide high-
speed internet access for the Richmond Public Library – Community Services, Library Division (LaShonda
White/Christopher Larsen 510-620-5524).
AGENDA
REPORT
April 4, 2023
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Public Library maintains a one gigabyte high-speed internet connection for use by Library patrons through participation in a California State Library consortium (consortium) which connects libraries to the fiber-optic-based California Research and Education Network (CalREN). CalREN is operated and maintained by the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) and is a multi-tiered, advanced network-services fabric serving over 20 million users across California, including the vast majority of K-20 students together with educators, researchers, and individuals at other vital public-serving institutions, like libraries. More information about CENIC can be found at https://cenic.org/about.
When first contracted in 2015, and when the contract for service was renewed in 2020, the Califa Group was the designated aggregator, managing billing and E-rate participation and reimbursement (Attachment 1). In 2021, the California State Library appointed Columbia Telecommunications Corporation d/b/a CTC Technology and Energy (CTC) to assume the rights and responsibilities of aggregator. The Richmond Public Library, in order to continue participation in the consortium, is seeking approval for an agreement which will designate CTC as the new aggregator for the remainder of the term of the original contract with Califa, expiring June 30, 2025 (Attachment 2). CTC is in good standing with the California Secretary of State and is certified to conduct business in California (Attachment 3).
The consortium also facilitates participation in the Federal Communications Commission E-Rate program and California Teleconnect Fund to reimburse a significant portion of the cost of connection. While the present annual cost of the CENIC connection is $8,780.04 plus taxes, surcharges, and fees, not to exceed $10,000, the E- rated annual cost is $878.04 (Attachment 4). The City will submit payment for the full amount and subsequently receive reimbursement through the E-Rate program. City staff encourages the City Council to approve the sole-source contract with CTC to allow for continued service to Richmond Library patrons (Attachment 5).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original 2020 Califa Contract
Attachment 2 – CTC Contract
Attachment 3 – Certificate of Status
Attachment 3 – CENIC quote
Attachment 4 – CTC Sole Source