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Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment IV to Agreement 4555 with NEO Fiber, Inc., doing business as Neo Connect, for as-needed, ongoing staffing assistance and consulting services in support of broadband connectivity in the County, revising the scope of work to include additional tasks, increasing the compensation amount by $189,118 for a not-to-exceed amount of $350,000, and extending the term of the Agreement by three (3) years for a revised expiration date of January 29, 2026; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute any further documents determined necessary related to Agreement 4555, including amendments which do not increase the not-to-exceed amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: American Rescue Plan Act / Transient Occupancy Tax funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On April 25, 2017 (File No. 17-0442, Item No. 5), the Board awarded Request for Proposals (RFP) 17-918-031 to NEO Fiber, Inc. (Neo Connect) to perform a Broadband Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study for the County and authorized the Purchasing Agent to negotiate and execute an agreement with a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000 for this project, with funding provided through the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant and General Fund. Agreement 248 was subsequently executed on September 20, 2017.
Beginning on January 23, 2018 (File No. 18-0077, Item No. 37), and concluding on December 17, 2019 (File No. 19-1821, Item No. 55), and as part of the Broadband Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study, the Board received several presentations from Neo Connect and staff regarding planning efforts, financial analysis and options related to implementing a broadband strategy in the County, and projected capital costs and funding alternatives of implementing County-wid...
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