Submitted By: Shantel Bynes
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Presentation By: Kenneth Jamerson
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Department: Ocala Fiber Network
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve contract award to Morse Communications, Inc., for monitoring and support services related to the upgrade of the City's phone system in the amount of $821,983
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
RFP released to public: June 27, 2024; Selection Committee meeting: September 3, 2024
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala's phone system was last upgraded in 2018. However, technological advancements since then will make the current phone system hardware obsolete by 2028. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) project aims to upgrade the current phone system to a virtual environment and update the software to the latest versions. This upgrade will include migrating the existing Alcatel-Lucent appliance servers, associated telephony database, and licensing infrastructure from physical machines to a virtual deployment. These advancements are necessary to ensure compliance with the Federal Communication Commission's Ray Baum's Act.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On June 27, 2024, the City of Ocala issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: OFN/240581 for the provision of services related to the VOIP Project. The solicitation closed on August 7, 2024, with two proposals received. Crystal Communications, Inc. was disqualified as non-responsive. The City's Selection Committee met on September 3, 2024, to evaluate and score the proposal received from Morse Communications, Inc. ("Morse"), The committee found that Morse is qualified to provide the required services at the best value for the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The expenditure is included in the approved budget and will be paid from account #490-031-298-539-69-65010
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These services were procured in compliance with the City's Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed an...
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