To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Purchase of Fiber Optic Fusion Splicer Equipment from Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. in the Amount of Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($12,739.77) end
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the purchase of one (1) Fujikura 100S Fusion Splicer Kit with CT50 from Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. in the amount of Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($12,739.77); and
2. Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all agreements, amendments and other documents necessary to complete the purchase of the fiber optic fusion splicer equipment from Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc., after review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Information Technology Division of the County Administrative Office with one (1) certified electronic copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 5006 - Improve communications infrastructure (e.g., broadband)
DISCUSSION:
The Information Technology Division of the Humboldt County Administrative Office is responsible for supporting the communications and network infrastructure used by County of Humboldt departments and facilities. Fiber optic cabling is an increasingly important component of this infrastructure as it provides reliable, high bandwidth connectivity between County of Humboldt facilities and network equipment.
Installation, repair and extension of fiber optic infrastructure requires specialized equipment to join individual strands of fiber optic cable. This process, known as fusion splicing, uses precision equipment to align and permanently join fiber strands while minimizing signal loss.
Currently, the Information Technology Division does not own a fiber optic fusion splicer. As a result, work requiring fiber optic cable installation or termination must be subcontracted to outside vendors. Reliance on contractors can increase the cost of relatively routine fiber projects and can delay completion of work based on contractor availability.
Purchasing a fusion splicer will allow trained Information Technology staff to install, terminate, repair and maintain fiber optic cabling using County of Humboldt resources. Having this capability in-house will allow staff to respond more quickly to fiber-related infrastructure needs, reduce reliance on outside contractors and provide greater flexibility when completing network installations, facility projects, repairs and emergency restoration work.
The Information Technology Division obtained three (3) price quotes regarding the provision of the needed fiber optic fusion splicer equipment. The attached quote from Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. was the lowest estimate received, for one (1) Fujikura 100S Fusion Splicer Kit with CT50. The quoted cost of the above-referenced equipment is Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-Five Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents ($11,555.35), with One Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Four Dollars and Forty-Two Cents ($1,184.42) in applicable sales tax, for a total purchase price of Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($12,739.77). Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. has indicated an estimated 10-week lead time for arrival of the equipment.
Acquiring this fiber optic fusion splicer equipment represents an investment in the County of Humboldt's internal technical capabilities. Such equipment can be used for future fiber projects throughout County of Humboldt facilities and is expected to reduce the need to contract for fiber termination and splicing services on a project by project basis.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Information Technology (3550-118)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (3500-118) |
FY 26-27 Adopted |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$12,739.77 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$12,739.77 |
|
Funding Sources (3550-118) |
FY 26-27 Adopted |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$12,739.77 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$12,739.77 |
As noted above, the quoted cost of the needed fiber optic fusion splicer equipment Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($12,739.77). Funding for the purchase is available within the Information Technology Division's adopted fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels. Existing Information Technology Division staff will use the equipment to perform fiber optic installation, termination, maintenance and repair work. Providing staff with the appropriate equipment will allow the Information Technology Division to complete more fiber optic work using internal resources and reduce staff time associated with coordinating and scheduling outside contractors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the purchase of fiber optic fusion splicer equipment from Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would require the Information Technology Division to continue to rely on outside contractors for fiber optic cable installation, termination and repair work. Continued reliance on contractors may result in higher project costs, scheduling delays and reduced flexibility when responding to planned and emergency fiber infrastructure needs.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cable & Wireless Technologies, Inc. Estimate E15789 for Fujikura 100S Fusion Splicer Kit with CT50
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None