COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Information Services Department

 

DATE:

March 9, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 28, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Chris Flatmoe, CIO/Director of Information Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with SBC for Long Distance Telephone Service

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

    A. Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with SBC for long distance telephone service from March 28, 2006 through March 27, 2009 with the option to extend the Agreement for two additional one- year terms with the total fiscal obligation not to exceed $650,000.

    B. Authorizing the Chief Information Officer to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed $25,000 and to extend the Agreement for the optional two one- year extensions if in the best interest of the County.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

This Agreement contributes to this goal by enabling County employees to access long distance service efficiently and at reduced cost. Additionally, an ISD departmental goal is to streamline the invoice, remittance, and reconciliation process while maintaining high levels of quality long distance service.

 

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of user satisfaction with Information Technology availability necessary to perform job functions rated as good or better

93%

95%

 

BACKGROUND:

The County spends approximately $216,000 annually on long distance service. Since the early 1990’s, San Mateo County’s long distance telephone service has been billed on a month- to- month basis. The County decided to explore opportunities to minimize its long distance services expenses while keeping high levels of service in place. On August 18, 2005, a Request for Proposal was released for long distance services.

 

DISCUSSION:

SBC California was selected to provide long distance services to the County. SBC’s pricing structure, billing procedures, and experience in working with local government agencies made them the choice of the selection committee. Authorizing this Agreement gives the County an opportunity to reduce its monthly long distance service expenses and automate the long distance billing process. Monthly long distance bills are expected to drop from the current $18,000 per month to $10,000. SBC will provide its billing documents to the County in an electronic format compatible with the County’s billing system. This enhancement will save many hours of labor in preparing long distance billing information for County Departments. Establishing a not to exceed amount for this Agreement was done by using actual usage figures for the past six months, calculating service charges based on the proposed long distance rates then adding a reasonable amount for potential expanded usage, taxes and fees.

A waiver was approved by the County Manager to extend this Agreement for the optional two one-year extensions if in the best interest of the County and to accept the equal benefits language used in the SBC Agreement, which differs from the standard language in County Agreements. SBC is compliant with the County’s Equal Benefits Ordinance 2.93 and Jury Selection Ordinance 2.94. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is from March 28, 2006 through March 27, 2009 with the option of two one-year extensions. The total obligation under this Agreement is not to exceed $650,000. Funding for long distance telephone service is included in the ISD FY2005-06 budget and will be requested in future years’ budgets.

 

Exhibit A

Request for Proposal Matrix

1.

General Description of RFP

Long Distance Telephone Services

2.

List key evaluation criteria

1. Technical resources. 2. Cost efficiency.

3.

Where advertised

San Mateo Times, Aug. 27, 2005

4.

In addition to any advertisement, list others to whom RFP was sent

    1. AT&T

    2. Big Red Wire

    3. Broadwing Communications

    4. Future Telecom

    5. MCI Government Markets

    6. SBC California

    7. Sprint Long Distance Services

    8. Verizon Enterprise Solutions

5.

Total number sent to prospective proposers

Eight

6.

Number of proposals received

Four

7.

Who evaluated the proposals

Robert Heavey, Project Manager/Deputy Director

Michael Castellano, Telephone Services Supervisor

Bonnie Columbell, Telephone Services Analyst

Leslie Lemke, Advisory Systems Engineer

Penni Pavis, Advisory Systems Engineer

David Yamani, Advisory Systems Engineer

Maryanne Carboni, Administrative Assistant

8.

In alphabetical order, names of proposers (or finalists, if applicable) and location

AT &T

3103 North First Street, 2nd Floor

San Jose, CA 95134

MCI Government Markets

11080 White Rock Road, Suite 100G

Sacramento, CA 95670

SBC California

1550 Leigh Avenue

San Jose, CA 95125

Verizon Enterprise Solutions

2849 Ficus Street

Pomona, CA 91766