DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: CityWide
SUBJECT:
Television Broadcasting Equipment
SUMMARY:
This action authorizes a contract with Two Way Communications, LLC to provide the Information Technology Services and Government and Public Affairs Departments with a one-time purchase of television broadcasting equipment to be utilized for video production applications through the Government and Public Affairs Department. The television broadcasting equipment will support a Low Power Television (LPTV) station (frequency), KTDF channel 23, that will allow over-the-air broadcasting to an area that includes approximately 1,960,277 citizens for a total cost of $81,785.00. Appropriations for this purchase are available from the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) funding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the bid submitted by Two Way Communications, LLC for the purchase of television broadcasting equipment to support a Low Power Television (LPTV) station for a total cost of $81,785.00. On September 17, 2015, Ordinance 2015-09-17-0779 was approved by City Council for the purchase of the Low Power Television (LPTV) Station. The purchase of the TV station was the initial phase of the project that will allow the City to broadcast Government Access content over-the-air. The Government and Public Affairs Department is now requesting to purchase the equipment necessary to broadcast its content over the air.
ISSUE:
The purchase of the Low Power Television (LPTV) station was the initial phase of the project that will allow the City to broadcast Government Access content over-the-air. The second phase of this project is to procure television broadcasting equipment that will be used in conjunction with the Low Power Television (LPTV) station.
This contract is within the scope of the SBEDA Program. However, due to the type of commodities/services being procured and value of the contract, no SBEDA tool was applied.
There were no bids submitted from local vendors for this contract; therefore, the Local Preference Program was not applied.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to non-professional service contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this action not be approved, the City would be unable to initiate the use of the Low Power Television (LPTV) Station to broadcast governmental content. This may result in a loss of Public, Education, and Government (PEG) funding that was appropriated for this initiative. Furthermore, San Antonio residents will only be able to view City Council meetings and City government produced content through a paid cable subscription or paid internet service.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for this purchase is $81,785.00. Appropriations for this purchase are available from the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the one-time purchase of television broadcasting equipment through a contract with Two Way Communications, LLC in the amount of $81,785.00.
This contract was procured by means of low bid and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.