Title
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee, to execute a non-standard Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC., by its Manager, Charter Communications, Incorporated, to build, deploy, operate, and maintain broadband services to unserved and underserved areas in Monterey County, set forth in Request for Proposal (RFP) Number 10819, in the amount of $1,610,000 for the term of July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024; and
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer the option to execute up to two (2) additional amendments to this Agreement, each extending the term by one year, where the additional costs per year do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total contract amount, subject to County Counsel review, and provided that the terms and conditions of the agreement remain substantially the same.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee, to execute a non-standard Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC., by its Manager, Charter Communications, Incorporated, to build, deploy, operate, and maintain broadband services to unserved and underserved areas in Monterey County, set forth in Request for Proposal (RFP) Number 10819, in the amount of $1,610,000 for the term of July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024; and
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer the option to execute up to two (2) additional amendments to this Agreement, each extending the term by one year, where the additional costs per year do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total contract amount, subject to County Counsel review, and provided that the terms and conditions of the agreement remain substantially the same.
SUMMARY:
The Information Technology Department (ITD) solicited a Request for Proposal, Broadband Deployment, Operations and Services (RFP #10819) utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds in the amount of $1.935 million allocated to ITD. Spectrum Pacific West, LLC was awarded a portion of the funds to build, deploy, operate, and maintain broadband services to unserved and underserved areas in Monterey County.
DISCUSSION:
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding a stimulus package designed to facilitate the United States’ recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of this package is allocated to expand broadband access addressing the digital divide throughout the nation.
In June 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved $1.935 million in ARPA funds for FY 21-22 for broadband development. On September 23, 2021, the Information Technology Department released a Request for Proposal #10819, Broadband Deployment, Operations and Services requesting strategic solutions to build, deploy, operate, and maintain broadband services to unserved and underserved areas in Monterey County.
Spectrum Pacific West submitted a proposal and has agreed to expand broadband services in the San Lucas, San Ardo, Strawberry Canyon, Prunedale North and South Salinas areas, which will serve over five hundred sixty-eight unserved and underserved households.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the non-standard Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded with ARPA funds. The funds have been included in the FY22-23 Approved Budget for the Information Technology Department, ITD 1930, Appropriations Unit INF002. Transactions relating to future fiscal years will be included in each respective Recommended Budget based upon the anticipated utilization of the services.
In addition, on June 21, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Cruzio Internet to build, deploy, operate and maintain broadband services in the amount of $320,333 also funded by ARPA. The proposed agreement with Spectrum and the previously approved agreement with Cruzio Internet is a combined total of $1,930,333 for broadband development services to be funded with the approved $1,935,000 in ARPA funds. ITD will return to the Budget Committee and the Board of Supervisors with an augmentation request if additional funding is needed.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The pandemic has underscored the critical utility of broadband infrastructure. From the homework gap and workforce adaptation to essential healthcare services and e-commerce, broadband is now the keystone to our nation’s response to the global pandemic and imperative to building resilient and future-ready communities. The lack of reliable broadband is a major economic barrier and a leading driver of socioeconomic inequality.
The Board’s approval of the recommended agreement will address the digital divide, lack of internet access that disproportionately effects unserved and underserved Monterey County residents. The County’s goal is to ensure that every resident in Monterey County, regardless of their circumstances, could access broadband. The ability to do so will pay dividends far beyond the current crisis we find ourselves in. The collaboration and partnerships on expanding broadband access will close the digital divide throughout Monterey County.
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Sandra Shaffer, Management Analyst III, 759-6957
Approved by:
______________________________ Date: ___________
Eric A. Chatham, Chief Information Officer, 759-6920
Attachments:
Spectrum Agreement
Exhibit A
Exhibit B