Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): US Ignite Inc.
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Personal Services Agreement
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a personal services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with US Ignite Inc. in the amount of $55,000 for broadband plan evaluation and development for Universal Services for the period of December 10, 2024 - December 9, 2025, Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Personal Services Agreement.
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Background and Discussion:
Harris County Universal Services’ Office of Broadband will contract US Ignite to evaluate the existing broadband plan and develop an updated plan over the course of one year. Phase one will include:
• Evaluate and analyze the 2020 master plan’s goals and objectives compared to those outlined in the later-developed strategy documents.
• Compare the master plan with leading county or state broadband plans to identify best practices and potential gaps.
• Evaluate the objectives and their alignment with the County’s updated vision for broadband access, infrastructure, affordability, governance, and innovation.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Assess the plan’s adaptability to changes in technology and policy and its resilience to unforeseen challenges.
• Check for consistency in priorities, such as focusing on access and affordability for marginalized groups and positioning for federal and state funding.
Based on the evaluation and analysis in phase one, phase two will consist of developing a comprehensive implementation plan, pursuing funding opportunities to support the implementation plan, pilot projects, community engagement and education, monitoring and evaluation, and based on the success of pilot programs, the scaling up of the programs across the county.
Expected Impact:
Evaluating and developing the County’s Broadband Plan aims to ensure the plan is updated to changes in technology, policy, and the County’s vision for broadband. The County will receive a comprehensive plan for implementing changes and improvements to the County’s broadband infrastructure.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
X Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Broadband Plan Evaluation and Development Harris County Universal Services |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1000 - General Fund |
$50000 |
$5000 |
$55000 |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$50000 |
$5000 |
$55000 |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
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- |
Anticipated Court Date: 12/10/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Ryan Salmon (Broadband Planning Analyst, Universal Services), Jose Camacho (Senior Buyer- Purchasing)
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Agreement