Submitted By: Shantel Bynes
presenter
Presentation By: Mel Poole
end
Department: Ocala Fiber Network
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Approve award of a five-year contract to OTI Fiber, LLC, d/b/a Opticaltel, to provide dark fiber connections for Ocala Fiber Network in the aggregate amount of $181,440
end
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
On January 7, 2025, City Council approved a five-year contract awarded to Ocala Fiber Network (OFN) by the School Board of Marion County for the provision of network services to remote schools beginning July 1, 2025.
OFN has leased dark fiber connections from OTI Fiber, LLC d/b/a Opticaltel (“Opticaltel”) since 2017. OFN’s most recent contract with Opticaltel is set to expire on June 30, 2025.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Maintaining a lease agreement for dark fiber connections is critical to allow OFN to deliver essential network services to Romeo Elementary, Dunnellon Elementary, Dunnellon Middle, and Dunnellon High Schools. OFN and Opticaltel now wish to continue their relationship under a renewed five (5) year agreement to provide the same services, at a discounted monthly rate of $3,024. This will result in an overall cost savings of $13,608.
The anticipated contract value over the initial term is $181,440. Expenditures under this agreement with Opticaltel will be tracked under Munis Contract No. OFN/250490.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The expenditure associated with Opticaltel will be paid from:
Fiscal Year 2025 $9,072 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
Fiscal Year 2026 $36,288 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
Fiscal Year 2027 3 $36,288 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
Fiscal Year 2028 $36,288 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
Fiscal Year 2029 $36,288 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
Fiscal Year 2030 $27,216 490-031-290-539-53-34050 Fiber for Resale
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
Telecommunications services provided by an entity whose rates are determined and controlled by a public services commission are exempt from competition under Procurement Policy No. PRO-070. The Contracting Officer has reviewed this Agreement in compliance with City 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