Item No: 5L.
Meeting Date: August
13, 2012
From: Mike
Thornton, Purchasing Manager for
Stan Carter,
Director Information Technology
Subject: Purchase
request by the Communications Division of the Information Technology Department
to Ronco Communications, Inc. for fiber network hardware and services.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff
recommends award of Invitation to Bid (ITB) 120321 to Ronco Communications,
Inc. and approval of purchase request 44725 by the Communications division for
the purchase of fiber network hardware and related services for a total amount
of $141,688.84.
Analysis:
The
Utility will use these network switches to provide advanced network services
for its customers. The Utility will be able to offer various tiers of
service to its customers and better manage the network. Of the larger
switches, one will be deployed in Leesburg as a main switch and one in Tavares
as a remote switch. Those two switches will be initially connected by two
different fiber routes, providing a new level of reliability to the Utility’s
external network. A third large switch will be initially configured and held
as a spare, with plans to eventually deploy it in the greater Clermont
area. Upon deployment of that third switch, a physical triangle of fiber
connections between the three larger switches will be established, creating a
highly survivable network for the Utility’s customers throughout most of Lake
County. Several of the intermediate sized switches will be deployed at
the premises of larger customers, and the smallest switches will be placed over
time in other customer sites. The switches are highly programmable, which
will enable the Utility to create new products for its customers through which
additional revenues will be generated. Those new product developments
will probably not occur for some time, but will be possible as a result of
deploying this equipment throughout the network.
The
order will also include: (i) services from the manufacturer to support
the initial configuration of the switches; (ii) ongoing warranty &
maintenance services from the manufacturer; and (iii) training services
from the manufacturer.
Procurement Analysis:
On
July 3, 2012 the Purchasing Division issued ITB 120321 requesting interested
and qualified vendors to submit bid responses for network hardware manufactured
by Ciena Networks. The ITB was posted
on-line and directly e-mailed to three companies capable of providing the
requested items. On July 16, 2012 two
bid responses were received and are summarized here.
The
Purchasing Division has received each bid response and determined Ronco
Communications, Inc. to be the firm submitting the lowest cost bid and is
deemed responsive and responsible.
|
Item
Description |
Ronco
Communications, Inc. Tampa,
Florida |
Carahsoft
Technology Group Reston,
Virginia |
|
Hardware
& Switches |
$123,059.83 |
$127,365.89 |
|
Training
& Services |
$22,274.17 |
$13,047.20 |
|
Total Bid Amount |
$145,334.00* |
$150,113.09 |
*
The Utility has elected to defer some training services valued at $3,645.16 to
a later date. The training services
would not be of any benefit until the network equipment is installed and
on-line for several months. Removal of
the selected training services results in the purchase request cost of
$141,688.84.
Options:
1. Approve the bid award and purchase request to
Ronco Communications, Inc.; or
2. Such alternative action as the Commission may
deem appropriate
Fiscal Impact:
Funds
for this purchase are budgeted and available in the Communications Utility.
Submission Date and Time: 8/9/2012 3:01 PM____
|
Department: _IT/Communications Utility_ Prepared
by: _Mike Thornton__________ Attachments: Yes____ No ___X__ Advertised: ____Not Required __X___ Dates: Posted on-line________________ Attorney
Review : Yes___ No ____ _________________________________ Revised 6/10/04 |
Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance Dept. __________________ Deputy
C.M. ___________________ Submitted
by: City Manager ___________________
|
Account
No. _045-5099-539.xxxx 045-5023-539xxxx Project
No. ________________ WF No. ___________________ Budget ______________________ Available
_____________________ |