FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Chief Information Officer
SUBJECT: CITYWIDE WIRELESS BROADBAND NETWORK AGREEMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution approving a Master Services Agreement and an Order for Services with SmartWAVE Technologies, LLC for the implementation of Phase I of the Citywide wireless communications network.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2016, Santa Maria has been building towards establishing itself as the leading Smart City, Safe City in the region. A key component to realizing this goal is creating a communications network that offers anytime, anywhere connectivity to the internet. In the second quarter of 2020, the City completed and operationalized approximately 15 miles of a fiber network creating a redundant fiber ring connecting the City's two datacenters and providing high-speed network connectivity to five additional City facilities, including the Landfill, Transit Center, Bus Yard, Fire Station 1, and the Prell Reservoir communications tower. In March/April of this year, the City expanded the fiber network to include Edward's Community Center and Fire Station 6. At the August 16, 2022, City Council Meeting, a project to extend the fiber network to the Wastewater Treatment Plant was approved, and there are plans to incorporate other City facilities into the fiber network in the coming year.
The continued buildout of the fiber ring across the City is a major foundational step in achieving the Smart City, Safe City vision; however, another key component to realizing this goal is to provide wireless access to the fiber network. This Citywide wireless broadband initiative will extend network connectivity to mobile devices within range of a wireless signal significantly improving staff's ability to perform their duties from anywhere in the City both indoors and out in the field. In addition, a ubiquitous outdoor wireless network will enable other smart city capabilities such as intelligent traffic signal control, traffic and security cameras, intelligent metering, automated asset tracking, onboard Wi-Fi for bus riders, internet access for residents and visitors while visiting City parks and recreation facilities, network connectivity for City vehicles, and many others.
DISCUSSION:
In late 2021 and early 2022, the Information Technology Division undertook an initiative to evaluate various technologies that would provide a cost-effective, easy -to -manage, Citywide wireless network solution. After reviewing the available technologies, IT staff determined that Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) technology would best fulfill Santa Maria's
requirements of signal strength, coverage area, transmission speed, cost-effective implementation, number of devices to manage, and ease of ongoing support..
In May 2022, the Division released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for CBRS Equipment, Installation, and Support. The City received seven qualified responses and ranked them according to several criteria including how well the proposed solution would meet the City's objectives, how the proposed solution would integrate into the City's existing infrastructure, quality, and applicability of three reference customers, detailed project plan and methodology, proposer's history and long-term viability, and cost of the proposed solution.
After initial review and scoring, two proposers were asked to perform on -site visits to answer follow-up questions and tour the City and proposed CBRS locations for the first phase of the project. The two finalists then submitted the best and final proposals. At the conclusion of the evaluation, SmartWAVE Technologies was selected as the winning proposer.
This project is expected to be implemented in phases. Phase I of the project will install CBRS network equipment in the datacenter at the Betteravia Police Department and install CBRS radio equipment on the Betteravia communication tower and the Cook Street communication tower. The total cost for Phase I including the equipment, installation, and three years of software licensing and support is $203,635. Subsequent phases and locations will be identified after the initial locations are operational and actual signal coverage is verified.
Alternatives:
Several alternative wireless technologies exist that would require many more installed devices to provide the same wireless coverage as the selected CBRS technology. This would result in higher cost of implementation, higher life -cycle replacement costs, higher ongoing support costs, and more potential points of failure in the network.
Another alternative is to postpone, delay, or cancel this Citywide wireless initiative which, in turn, would negatively impact the Smart City, Safe City initiative.
Fiscal Considerations:
$203,635 for equipment, installation, and 3 years of software licensing and support, as approved in the current year capital budget.
Impact to the Community:
This project supports the Smart City, Safe City initiative by providing the foundation for any time, anywhere access to broadband. It improves City staff efficiency by delivering ubiquitous access to the City's network and internet, and enables enhanced automation of City services. Finally, it takes a significant step toward closing the digital divide in Santa Maria by providing internet access to residents while visiting City facilities. •
MARECIC
Chie/rn ma .n Officer
2 JASON STILWELL
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MASTER SERVICES
AGREEMENT AND AN ORDER FOR SERVICES WITH SMARTWAVE
TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE I OF THE CITYWIDE
WIRELESS SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
WHEREAS, the City has an ongoing initiative to become the leading Smart City, Safe City in the region; and
WHEREAS, broadband availability and connectivity is a key foundational component to delivering Smart City, Safe City products and services; and WHEREAS, the City has invested heavily in recent years in building out its fiber optic network; and
WHEREAS, a cost-effective wireless technology is an essential and complementary technology to wired networks in delivering Smart City, Safe City products and services; and WHEREAS, the City posted a Request For Proposals (RFP) for Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) Equipment, Installation, and Support, and received and evaluated proposals from seven qualified respondents; and
WHEREAS, SmartWAVE Technologies is the selected provider for CBRS and related technologies; and
WHEREAS, the City and SmartWAVE Technologies desire to enter into a Master Services Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Phase I of the project will be initiated using a Service Order and will install CBRS network equipment in the datacenter at the Betteravia Police Department, and install CBRS radio equipment on the Betteravia communication tower and the Cook Street communication tower; and
WHEREAS, the total cost for Phase I including the equipment, installation, and three years of software licensing and support is $203,635.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria that:
1) The City Council authorizes and directs the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Master Services Agreement with SmartWAVE Technologies, LLC and the Service Order for Phase I of the CBRS initiative; and
2) The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult
with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 20th day of September 2022.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
2 APPROVED A ,I FORM:
I
r
City Attorney
A • PROVED AS TO CONTENT:
epartment Director
City Manager