SR-101-003-04-05 (2)
CM:ISD:DY:mwise\Sysdev\DavidY\Wpdocs\Verizon.doc
Council Meeting: 3/6/01 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a
Two-Year Agreement with Verizon Wireless for Cellular Telephone
Service.
Introduction
This report recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a two-year agreement with Verizon Wireless for cellular telephone service.
Background
The Information Systems Division (ISD) administers the maintenance, service and
departmental billing of the City’s 180 cellular phones. Since the inception of cellular
phone service in the City, service has been provided by Verizon Wireless (previously
Air Touch and PacTel Cellular), who was selected through a competitive RFP process.
Service and support continue to meet City standards and requirements.
Discussion
Verizon has offered the City a two-year, discounted (up to 50%) service contract at
their Southern California Government Account rates, which are superior to those
offered the general public and competitive with other wireless providers. Many of the
City’s cellular phones are assigned to public safety staff and feature phone numbers
that have been widely published. Switching wireless carriers would entail changing
phone numbers on all of the City’s cellular phones, which could conceivably disrupt
vital communications.
Therefore, the combination of discounted pricing, static phone numbers and no service
disruption meets the City’s requirements.
Budget/Financial Impact
This is a two-year services contract that will not exceed $100,000 per fiscal year.
Funds for the first year are budgeted in departmental utilities-telephone accounts
(object # 522210) in the City's FY 2000/01 budget. Provisions for subsequent years
will be included in future City budget requests to fulfill contract payment obligations.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a two year agreement with Verizon Wireless for cellular phone service.
Prepared by: Jory Wolf, Chief Information Officer
David Yeskel, Systems Analyst