To: Board of Supervisors
From: Libraries
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement between Humboldt County Library and AT&T
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize AT&T to provide dedicated internet and ethernet access to the Ferndale, Kim Yerton Memorial, and Willow Creek library branches;
2. Approve and authorize the Library Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the agreement with AT&T; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return two fully executed original copies of the attached E-rate Rider and Authorization to Order (ATO) to the Library for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Library Fund (1500), Federal Communication Commission (FCC)’s Schools and Libraries (E-rate) program.
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Library seeks to continue receiving public telecommunications services at the Ferndale, Kim Yerton Memorial, and Willow Creek library branches through AT&T using California’s CALNETNextGen contracts. The existing CALNET3 contract with AT&T expires Dec. 31, 2021, and a new agreement is needed to extend these services until all branches have been successfully connected to the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) network, which is being used at all other county library branches for public telecommunications services.
The contract with AT&T (Attachment A) will extend CALNET3 services at these three branches until Jun. 30, 2025. Throughout the duration of this contract, staff will work with vendors to prepare the branches to transition to CENIC.
The Humboldt County Library currently receives an 80% discount via reimbursement on T1 Dedicated Transport data services to support the legacy infrastructure at the three branches mentioned above and connects them to the main library in Eureka.
The E-rate program was founded by the FCC and managed by the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) to assist schools and libraries with obtaining internet access and telecommunications services at an affordable rate. Eligible schools and libraries receive discounts between 20% and 90% based on the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced lunch at the district level.
Since Mar. 2015, the Humboldt County Library system has received services through CALNET3. The approval of the agreement before your Board today allows for the continuation of existing services at the Ferndale, Kim Yerton Memorial, and Willow Creek branches until each branch can be transitioned to CENIC.
Ensuring the Ferndale, Kim Yerton Memorial, and Willow Creek branches stay connected to the internet has never been more important. With the ongoing disruptions caused by COVID-19, public libraries serve as critical gateways to information. Libraries give people without internet access at home the ability to access remote learning as well as other essential services that help close the digital divide, including but not limited to, applying for jobs and unemployment online, attending telemedicine visits, and scheduling vaccine appointments. As reliance upon public libraries to provide broadband telecommunications services for their community increases, it becomes essential to have universal connectivity in libraries across the county and country.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is from fiscal year 2021-22 through Jun. 30, 2025, with three optional extensions. CALNET contracts are treated as month-to-month agreements which enables Humboldt County Library to end service at a branch without incurring early termination fees.
The annual total pre-discount amount for services is $19,125 with taxes and InterLATA (long distance data transport fees) included. Costs will decrease as each library branch transitions to CENIC.
The Library will receive discounts of 80% for monthly recurring costs through the E-rate program each year (approximately $15,372 annually). Funding for this service has been included in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget for 1500-621. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure providing community-appropriate levels of service, managing our resources to ensure sustainability of services, and seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County’s needs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
EdTechnologyFunds, Inc.: Humboldt County Library’s Current E-rate Consultants
Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC)
Califa Group
Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could decide to discontinue telecommunications services for the public at library locations. However, this is not recommended as telecommunications provide a vital role for libraries.
ATTACHMENTS:
A) CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
Authorization to order (ATO)
E-Rate Rider
Invitation for Bid Business Request (BAFO)
Invitation for Bid Part I General Instructions
General Provisions for Electronic Vendors Application of Qualifications
State of California Department of Technology Statewide Tech Procedure (Standard Agreement Tech 213)
Attachment I List of Contractors Responsibilities Document Attached to This Agreement
Standard Agreement Amendment 1
Standard Agreement Amendment 2
Standard Agreement Amendment 04
Standard Agreement Amendment 05
Standard Agreement Amendment 06
Department of Technology Non-State Entity (NESPA Form)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-12
Meeting of: March 17, 2015
File No.: 15-264