Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation is to authorize the Directors of the Department of Public Safety and Technology to enter into contract with Gudenkauf Corporation in the amount of $101,240.62 to install fiber optic cabling for the Next Generation 9-1-1 Call Taking Enhancement at the designated locations. This fiber will run from (Fairwood Avenue Diverse Route) 1250 Fairwood to E. Sycamore St and (City of Columbus DoT fiber extension to 911 Call Center) 410 S. High St. to 373 S. High St. It is necessary to connect the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to the City of Columbus' 911 Call Center due to the consolidation of Franklin County PSAPs. In the transition from legacy (old analog copper lines), whereby local exchange carriers (telephone companies) provided Enhanced 9-1-1 systems to IP based, locally managed Next Generation 9-1-1 networks, the role of the local government has greatly expanded beyond just answering the calls.
A next generation network requires local government to procure a 9-1-1 service provider to manage the intake, routing, distribution, and delivery of calls placed to 9-1-1 from any device. However, the local government must provide a robust, redundant fiber optic network that meets NENA i3 standards, often called an Emergency Services Intranet (ESINET). In ORC 128.03 (F), the legislature provided a mechanism for local governments to waive competitive bidding for not only the premise equipment at a PSAP, but also for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of a network (ESINET) to support a 9-1-1 system.
It is critical that the local government, who now becomes the provider, has the flexibility to select the provider that best fits the needs of their network configuration and existing fiber design. Piecing together different fiber, network, and hardware providers creates the potential for an inconsistent delivery of critical 9-1-1 calls. Bidding this fiber out will cost Franklin County additional funds from their general...
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