DEPARTMENT: Information Technology Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Craig Hopkins, Chief Information Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
AT&T Corp E-rate contract for Pre-K 4 SA and San Antonio Public Library
SUMMARY:
The E-rate program began in 1997 to help make internet access for eligible schools and libraries affordable. The program is funded through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The procurement process for E-rate vendors is different from the City procurement process and the timeframe to execute E-rate specific contracts is before July 1st.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The E-rate solicitation and award process requires that a listing for services and equipment be published on USAC's website for 28 days. The posting (FCC Form 470) is publicly advertised and open to any vendor to submit a proposal. Once the 28 days have concluded, all submitted proposals can then be reviewed and scored by the E-rate evaluation panel. The Staff panel consists of 3-5 E-rate Team members that review the proposals and score based on cost of eligible items (highest weighted factor), prior experience with service and meets service needs. After scoring the proposals, the vendors are then notified via Letter of Intent to award them a contract based on their proposals. The Letters of Intent are placeholders, until contracts with the awarded vendors are drafted, reviewed and executed. The contract execution must occur before the E-rate year starts on July 1 so charges for these services are eligible for E-rate reimbursement.
The two City departments that are eligible for E-rate reimbursements are Pre-K 4 SA and the San Antonio Public Library. In order to be eligible for E-rate reimbursements, a specific evaluation and award process must be adhered to.
The term of the AT&T Corp. contract is for 36 months, and the cost over the life of the contract is $736,8...
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