Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Emergency Communications Department to sign a National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPA) ValuePoint Participating Addendum from Master Agreement #MA152 with Verizon Wireless to issue purchase orders to Verizon Wireless for a mobile hotspot and public safety Emergency Messaging Gateway for Short Messaging (SMS) Service messaging directly from the systems computer aided dispatch system for an estimated monthly cost of $100 for the mobile hotspot and no cost for the Emergency Messaging Gateway.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Emergency Communications Department to sign a National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPA) ValuePoint Participating Addendum from Master Agreement #MA152 with Verizon Wireless to issue purchase orders to Verizon Wireless for a mobile hotspot and public safety Emergency Messaging Gateway for Short Messaging (SMS) Service messaging directly from the systems computer aided dispatch system for an estimated monthly cost of $100 for the mobile hotspot and no cost for the Emergency Messaging Gateway.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Emergency Communications Department is a consolidated Public Safety Answering Point for 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls as well as a radio dispatch facility serving 28 law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical response agencies throughout Monterey County.
The Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch system allows dispatchers to send SMS text messages directly to public safety personnel’s cell phones. There are various 3rd party exchanges that can be used as the Emergency Messaging Gateway to distribute these messages. Currently, the Department uses AT&T’s FirstNet as the exchange. FirstNet has been inconsistent with multiple malfunctions so the Department intends to move to the Verizon solution through this NASPA ValuePoint Agreement.
The Department is required to purchase an mobile hotspot through Verizon to enroll in this service and that mobile hotspot enrollment is purchased through this NASPA ValuePoint Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved Agreement as to form. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this agreement as to fiscal provisions. Contracts/Purchasing has reviewed and approved this Agreement.
FINANCING:
There is no cost for the Verizon Emergency Messaging Gateway; Verizon provides this as a free public safety service. The estimated cost for the mobile hotspot is approximately $100 per month and this mobile hotspot is required to receive the free Emergency Messaging Gateway service. The Department has sufficient funds in 028-1520-8507-EME004 in the FY2024/25 Adopted Budget to cover this cost and will request funding for future budget years through the annual budget approval process.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement will allow the Department to distribute critical messages to public safety responders in the field through SMS text messages.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: John Vaught, Finance Manager II, x8883
Approved by: Lee Ann Magoski, Director of Emergency Communications Department, x8880
Attachments:
Agreement
Board Report