BOARD MEETING DATE: May 2, 2003
AGENDA NO. 9
Execute Contract to Purchase Telecommunication Services
SYNOPSIS:
On January 10, 2003, AQMD released an RFP to select a vendor(s) capable of providing telecommunication services to AQMD in the most cost-effective manner, and if possible, to consolidate all telephone company-related services to a single telecommunications provider. These telecommunication services included local, long distance, and toll-free services; leased circuits; ISDN PRI/BRI T1 lines; calling cards; internet access; wireless voice and data; enhanced billing and reporting; and phone switch maintenance. This action is to issue three-year purchase orders to selected vendors to provide telecommunication services to AQMD. Funds for this purchase are included in the FY 2002-03 Budget.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, April 11, 2003, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the purchase of telecommunication services required by AQMD from the following vendors for a three-year period:
- A contract with AT&T for local, long distance, toll free, air monitoring/telemetry, dedicated Long Beach T1, and wireless connectivity services.
- A contract with Norstan for phone switch maintenance services.
- A contract with Sprint for calling card services.
- A contract with Verizon Enterprise Sales for Internet services.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
On January 10, 2003, the AQMD released RFP #P2003-19 for Telecommunication Services. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit and identify vendors capable of providing high quality and reliable telecommunication services to the AQMD in the most cost-effective manner, and if possible, to consolidate all telephone company related services to a single telecommunications provider. The overall goal is to reduce current expenses for voice and data communication services, optimize the use of the AQMD's current voice communication network, and provide the AQMD with the necessary flexibility to take full advantage of new telecommunications technologies as they evolve. Telecommunication services solicited under this RFP will include local telephone service, long distance telephone service, toll-free telephone service, air monitoring telemetry network frame relay circuits, calling card services, dedicated T1 link to Long Beach, internet access, phone switch maintenance, and wireless connectivity.
Outreach
In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, public notices advertising the RFP and inviting bids were published in the following publications:
|
1. |
Antelope Valley Press |
11. |
Inland Valley |
22. |
Rafu Shimpo |
|
2. |
Black Voice News |
Daily Bulletin |
23. |
San Bernardino Sun |
|
|
3. |
California, State of, Contracts |
12. |
Korea Central Daily |
24. |
Signal, The |
|
Register |
13 |
Los Angeles Daily News |
(includes Santa Clarita, |
||
|
4. |
Chicano, El |
14. |
Los Angeles Sentinel |
Newhall, and Saugus) |
|
|
5. |
Chinese Daily News |
15. |
Los Angeles Times |
25. |
Voz, La, Publications |
|
6. |
Desert Sun |
16. |
Opinion, La |
26. |
Wave Community |
|
(Coachella Valley) |
17. |
Orange County Register |
Newspapers |
||
|
7. |
Eastern Group Publications |
18. |
Philippine News |
(includes Southwest Topics |
|
|
8. |
Excelsior, The |
19. |
Precinct Reporter |
Wave, Angeles Mesa Wave, |
|
|
9. |
Informador, El |
20. |
Prensa Hispana, La |
|
|
|
10. |
Inland Empire |
21. |
Press Enterprise | ||
|
Hispanic News |
(Riverside County) |
Additionally, potential bidders were notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA Directory of Certified Firms, the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; and AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP was mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon, or http://www.aqmd.gov/busjob/ ] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.
Bid Evaluation
Thirty-nine copies of the RFP were mailed out and thirty-nine vendors attended the mandatory bidders conference held on January 31, 2003. Nine bids were received in response to the RFP when final bidding closed at 1:00 p.m. on February 28, 2003. Of the nine bids, one was from a disabled veteran-owned business enterprise, none were from women-owned or from certified minority-owned businesses, and two were from non-certified MBE minority-owned business enterprises.
Attachment 1 reflects the evaluation of the proposals and the respective ratings for contract bids. The evaluation committee rated AT&T the highest for local, long distance, toll free, air monitoring/telemetry, dedicated Long Beach T1, and wireless connectivity services; Norstan the highest for phone switch maintenance services; Sprint the highest for calling card services; and Verizon Enterprise Sales the highest for internet services. Therefore, staff recommends AT&T, Norstan, Sprint, and Verizon Enterprise Sales for the purchase of identified telecommunication services. The recommended contract awards were determined to be the most advantageous for AQMD based on the overall RFP evaluation criteria, considering both cost and technical capabilities. In particular, consideration of basic service requirements (specifically, overall experience, technical expertise, and resources necessary to quickly identify and resolve problems at all levels) out-weighed potentially lower up-front costs in the evaluation for local, long-distance and toll-free calling. Because these services are mission-critical to AQMD, for both day-to-day and emergency operations, the selected contractor must have a proven track record. In addition, as noted in the RFP, minimizing the number of contractors is a desired goal; therefore, it is more advantageous to have local, long-distance, and toll-free calling services with the same provider.
Panel Composition
The panel consisted of a consultant from Computer Training and Consulting and four staff from Information Management: a Systems Analyst, a Telecommunications Analyst, and two Telecommunications Technicians II. Of these five panelists, four are male and one is female; one is Asian-Indian, two are Asian-Pacific Islander, one is Caucasian, and one is Hispanic-American.
Resource Impacts
Funds of $836,400 were budgeted for FY 2002-03 under the Communications Account. Funding for subsequent years will be budgeted appropriately.
Attachment(s)
Attachment 1 - Summary of Evaluation of Respondents to RFP #P2003-19
| 1-A: | Category 1 – | Local Telephone Service |
| 1-B: | Category 2 – | Long Distance Telephone Service |
| 1-C: | Category 3 – | Toll Free Telephone Service |
| 1-D: | Category 4 – | Air Monitoring Telemetry Network Frame Relay Circuits |
| 1-E: | Category 5 – | Calling Cards |
| 1-F: | Category 6 – | Dedicated T1 Link to Long Beach |
| 1-G: | Category 7 – | Internet Access (Fractional T3 with Guaranteed Bandwidth) |
| 1-H: | Category 8 – | Meridian Phone Switch Maintenance |
| 1-I: | Category 9 – | Wireless Connectivity |
ATTACHMENT 1
Summary of Evaluation of Respondents to RFP #P2003-19
1-A: Category 1 – Local Telephone Service
Four proposals meeting the stated criteria were received in response to Category 1 (Local Telephone Service) of this RFP. They were from AT&T, Technology Integration Group (TIG), Verizon Enterprise Sales (Verizon), and WorldCom Government Markets (WorldCom).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||
|
AT&T |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Panel Average |
50 |
30 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||
|
AT&T |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$15,407 |
$26,012 |
$36,078 |
$67,632 |
|
Panel Average |
50 |
29.6 |
21.4 |
11.4 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||
|
AT&T |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
59.6 |
71.4 |
56.4 |
1-B: Category 2 – Long Distance Telephone Service
Three proposals meeting the stated criteria were received in response to Category 2 (Long Distance Telephone Service) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), AT&T, and Sprint.
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$42,385 |
$51,249 |
$50,789 |
|
Panel Average |
50 |
41.4 |
41.7 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | ||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 | |
|
Total |
82 |
91.4 |
86.7 |
1-C: Category 3 – Toll Free Telephone Service
Three proposals meeting the stated criteria were received in response to Category 3 (Toll Free Telephone Service) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), AT&T, and Sprint.
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$17,269 |
$22,276 |
$23,736 |
|
Panel Average |
50 |
38.8 |
36.4 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | ||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 | |
|
Total |
82 |
88.8 |
81.4 |
1-D: Category 4 – Air Monitoring Telemetry Network Frame Relay Circuits
Five proposals meeting the stated criteria were received in response to Category 4 (Air Monitoring Telemetry Network Frame Relay Circuits) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), AT&T, Sprint, Technology Integration Group (TIG), and Telepacific Communications (Telepacific).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
45 |
45 |
35 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$112,248 |
$73,512 |
$171,984 |
$156,318 |
$176,520 |
|
Panel Average |
32.7 |
50 |
21.4 |
23.5 |
20.8 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | ||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Total |
64.7 |
100 |
66.4 |
68.5 |
55.8 |
1-E: Category 5 – Calling Cards
Eight proposals were received in response to Category 5 (Calling Cards) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), AT&T, Qwest, Sprint, Technology Integration Group (TIG), Telepacific Communications (Telepacific), Verizon Enterprise Sales (Verizon), and WorldCom Government Markets (WorldCom).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Qwest |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
35 |
45 |
45 |
35 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Qwest |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$2,616 |
$2,847 |
$1,737 |
$594 |
$1,755 |
$1,524 |
$1,656 |
$1,527 |
|
Panel Average |
11.3 |
10.4 |
17.1 |
50 |
16.9 |
19.5 |
17.9 |
19.4 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Qwest |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Total |
43.3 |
60.4 |
52.1 |
95 |
61.9 |
54.5 |
67.9 |
64.4 |
1-F: Category 6 – Dedicated T1 Link to Long Beach
Six proposals were received in response to Category 6 (Dedicated T1 Link to Long Beach) of this RFP. They were from AT&T, Sprint, Technology Integration Group (TIG), Telepacific Communications (Telepacific), Verizon Enterprise Sales (Verizon), and WorldCom Government Markets (WorldCom).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Panel Average |
50 |
45 |
45 |
35 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$6,000 |
$17,060 |
$14,400 |
$9,756 |
$9,654 |
$17,496 |
|
Panel Average |
50 |
17.6 |
20.8 |
30.8 |
31.1 |
17.1 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||||
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Telepacific |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Total |
100 |
62.6 |
65.8 |
65.8 |
81.1 |
62.1 |
1-G: Category 7 – Internet Access (Fractional T3 with Guaranteed Bandwidth)
Six proposals meeting the stated criteria were received in response to Category 7 (Internet Access) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), AT&T, Sprint, Technology Integration Group (TIG), Verizon Enterprise Sales (Verizon), and WorldCom Government Markets (WorldCom).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
45 |
45 |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$64,392 |
$58,176 |
$56,640 |
$60,393 |
$42,993 |
$55,973 |
|
Panel Average |
33.4 |
37 |
38 |
35.6 |
50 |
38.4 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |||||
|
Angel |
AT&T |
Sprint |
TIG |
Verizon |
WorldCom |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures Points (Maximum = 10) |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures Points (Maximum = 10) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors Points (Maximum = 7) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Total |
65.4 |
87 |
83 |
80.6 |
100 |
83.4 |
1-H: Category 8 – Meridian Phone Switch Maintenance
Three proposals were received in response to Category 8 (Phone Switch Maintenance) of this RFP. They were from Angel Telecom Inc. (Angel), Norstan, and Verizon Enterprise Sales (Verizon).
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
Norstan |
Verizon |
|
|
Panel Average |
22 |
50 |
50 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | |||
|
Angel |
Norstan |
Verizon |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$87,800 |
$37,440 |
$92,205 |
|
Panel Average |
21.3 |
50 |
20.3 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | ||
|
Angel |
Norstan |
Verizon |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
10 |
0 | |
|
Total |
53.3 |
100 |
70.3 |
1-I: Category 9 – Wireless Connectivity
Two proposals were received in response to Category 9 (Wireless Connectivity) of this RFP. They were from AT&T and Sprint.
Standard Services Criteria (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Panel Average |
50 |
45 |
Cost (50 points maximum)
|
Proposer | ||
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
(Actual $ Amount per Year) |
$7,503 |
$7,885 |
|
Panel Average |
50 |
47.6 |
Additional Points (15 points maximum)
|
Criteria |
Proposer | |
|
AT&T |
Sprint |
|
|
Small Business or Small Business Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
|
DVBE or DVBE Joint Ventures |
0 |
0 |
|
Use of DVBE or Small Business Subcontractors |
0 |
0 |
|
Panel Average |
0 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
92.6 |
/ / /