Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes ongoing, non-competitive purchases over $75,000 by the City of Madison from MUFN-C. The purpose of the non-competitive selection for purchases over $75,000 is to allow for flexibility in the planning and development of the City's fiber network through collaborative fiber builds with MUFN-C and its members. Total purchases under this agreement will not exceed $250,000 per year for 5 years (through December 31, 2031).
An example of the type of project that will fall under this agreement is happening this year. The Northside Fiber Ring is being built out by MUFN-C, and it will benefit the City of Madison and the Water Utility. As such, the Water Utility will contribute $90,000 to the project from the Water Utility Facility Improvements capital program (#10440), and IT will contribute $90,000 from the Fiber Network capital program (#17404).
Future fiber projects that the City may benefit from and therefore need to contribute to will be included in future agency capital budgets. No additional appropriation is required.
Title
Authorizing ongoing noncompetitive purchases over $75,000 from Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network Consortium, Unincorporated Association (MUFN-C) or its members.
Body
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network Consortium, Unincorporated Association (MUFN-C) is a local collaborative fiber-optic network serving education, health, government, libraries, non-profit, and other anchor institutions in the Dane County Area by providing middle-mile fiber infrastructure which unifies and augments existing telecom resources to facilitate enhanced Internet, point-to-point connectivity, and application sharing; and
WHEREAS, under the MUFN-C Articles of Association, the City of Madison is one of the initial flagship member organizations of MUFN-C and as such, has an appointed standing seat on the MUFN-C Oversight Committee. MUFN-C members financially collaborate on fiber builds to reduce costs for members and to increase fiber expansion on the MUFN network; and
WHEREAS, under RES-13-00042 (Legistar File No. 28545), which resolution authorized the City to enter into the MUFN-C Articles of Association, the Council authorized the City to “enter into fiber lease and other agreements with MUFN-C or any of its members for use of City fiber or other services consistent with the purpose of the Association”; and
WHEREAS, the City does work with MUFN-C and its members on collaborative fiber builds, which projects provide benefits to the City, MUFN-C and its members in a cost effective and efficient manner by connecting City facilities and services including public safety, transportation and water infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, MGO 4.26(2) requires goods to be purchased using a competitive process approved by the Finance Director, and under the Finance Director’s Purchasing Guidelines, Common Council approval is required to purchase goods or services of $75,000 or more without a competitive (RFP) process; and
WHEREAS, to allow for flexibility in the planning and development of the City’s fiber network by allowing collaborative fiber builds with MUFN-C and its members which may exceed $75,000 in costs to the City and will not exceed $250,000 per year, in combination with the approval previously provided by RES-13-00042, it is necessary for the Council to authorize such non-competitive expenditures, subject to budget authority and will be good for five years, ending on December 31, 2031; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that that the Common Council hereby authorizes ongoing, collaborative builds with MUFN-C and its members under the MUFN-C Articles of Association, as previously authorized by RES-13-00042, for up to $250,000 per year through December 31, 2031, without a competitive bidding process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Finance Director or designee is authorized to execute contracts with MUFN-C and its members for these purposes, subject to budgetary authorization and in a form approved by the City Attorney.