Submitted By: Lorinda Tritt
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Presentation By: Mel Poole
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Department: Ocala Fiber Network
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve agreement with Uptown Services, LLC for consulting services for Ocala Fiber Network business plan and strategies in the amount of $100,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Request for Proposal Released to Public: 9/12/2023; Selection Committee Meeting 12/5/2023
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BACKGROUND:
Ocala Fiber Network (OFN) has a present need for consulting services to evaluate OFN’s business plan strategies and assess growth and viability in residential and commercial development. In addition to evaluating OFN’s business plan, the consultant would be asked to review current and proposed consumer service offerings and compare pricing structures against those of major internet service providers. Evaluation will also include the feasibility of OFN’s current business practices, the provision of cost estimates for capital improvements, as well as a 10-year estimation of operational and maintenance expenses.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On September 12, 2023, the City of Ocala issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: OFN/230765 for the provision of the desired consulting services. The solicitation closed on October 27, 2023, with three (3) proposals being received from: (1) Uptown Services, LLC, (2) Magellan Advisors, LLC, and (3) Columbia Telecommunications Corporation. The City’s Selection Committee met on December 5, 2023, to score and rank the submitted proposals and independent scoring was issued on a weighted scale as follows:
Uptown Services, LLC received the highest ranking with a score of 92.8 out of a possible 100. The agreement with Uptown Services, LLC will commence upon full execution and shall terminate automatically upon completion of the scope of work.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The expenditure associated with Uptown Services, LLC. Is available and will be paid from budget account #490-031-290-539-53-31010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These services were procured in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny