To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marc Shorr, Information Technology Director
Report Title: Purchase Order with AT&T Corp. for Mobility Equipment and Accessories
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Chief Information Officer, to execute a purchase order, with AT&T Corporation in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the purchase of mobility equipment and accessories, for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost for mobility equipment and accessories will be charged to user departments through the Department of Information Technology’s bill process. (100% User Departments)
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Information Technology’s (DOIT) Telecommunications Division staff handles purchasing of all AT&T mobility equipment and accessories for most County departments, with a few exceptions. All mobility devices purchased from AT&T come with AT&T FirstNet. FirstNet is a nationwide public safety broadband network specifically developed and operated by AT&T under a contract with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), an independent authority established by Congress.
AT&T FirstNet offers a comprehensive suite of services and features tailored specifically for governmental agencies, particularly those involved in public safety and emergency response. Some of the key features of AT&T FirstNet to the County are:
• Priority Access: County FirstNet users get priority access to the network, ensuring that they can communicate even during high-traffic situations, such as emergencies and large public events.
• Preemption: FirstNet can preempt non-public safety users, giving County first responders and executive staff the highest priority on the network.
• FirstNet Core: A dedicated network core that separates public safety traffic from commercial traffic, providing a more secure and reliable communication environment for County users.
• Band 14 Spectrum: FirstNet uses a dedicated frequency (Band 14) for public safety, offering enhanced coverage to County users, especially in rural and remote areas.
• Deployable Units (FirstNet COWs - Cell on Wheels): FirstNet provides portable cell sites call COWs (Cell on Wheels) and other deployable solutions to enhance coverage during disasters and large events at no additional cost to the County.
• Interoperability: FirstNet ensures that different public safety agencies can communicate seamlessly with each other, improving coordination during multi-agency responses.
• Voice, Data, and Messaging: AT&T FirstNet offers County users comprehensive services that include voice calls, text messaging, and high-speed data.
• Resilient Network Infrastructure: FirstNet is built with a focus on resilience, ensuring that the network remains operational during natural disasters, power outages, and other crises.
• Secure Communications: Advanced encryption and security measures to protect sensitive communications.
• Cybersecurity: Ongoing monitoring and protection against cyber threats.
• Flexible Pricing: Competitive pricing plans designed to meet the budget constraints of governmental agencies.
While the County purchases mobility equipment and accessories from other carriers who also offer robust public safety communication solutions, the unique mandate, dedicated infrastructure, and exclusive features of AT&T FirstNet make it a first-in-class solution for the County and its users. For these reasons and purpose, AT&T FirstNet is considered a Sole Source provider. The contract is subject to the NASPO ValuePoint Master Agreement Terms and Conditions, including a limitation of liability on behalf of AT&T, and Participating Addendum #PA-2022-WDV-AT&T.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Choosing not to use AT&T FirstNet for purchasing mobility equipment and accessories can lead to reduced communication effectiveness, lower reliability and security, potential coverage gaps, and higher costs. For public safety and emergency response agencies, these factors are critical, as effective communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring public safety during emergencies and disasters.