The Superintendent recommended the awarding of contract for wide-area-network services to low bid respondent Comcast Business Communications of Norcross, GA in the monthly amount $14,260, $171,120 total per year.

Our contract with Windstream for wide-area-network services expires June 30th, 2018. A new contract for services is required.

An RFP was posted, and two vendors responded, Windstream and Comcast.

Vendor	1-gig cost (16 sites)	2/2.5-gig cost (1 site)	10-gig cost (1 site)	Total monthly cost
Windstream	$890.00	$1,000.00	$1,600.00	$16,840.00
Comcast	$650.00	$710.00	$3,150.00	$14,260.00

Low bid respondent Comcast met the terms of the RFP and has done similar business with other districts and companies with a good reputation. They are not adversely listed on sam.gov.

Yearly cost for services will be $171,120. E-rate funding is being sought, and if awarded is expected to cover 80% of the costs ($136,896), leaving the district to cover the remaining 20% ($34,224) per year.

E-rate funding for wide-area-network services is routine and approval is expected, but is not guaranteed. We have received e-rate funding approval for the last two contracts, 10+ years. E-rate funding decisions are usually received within the first quarter of the fiscal year and are retroactively applied to the start of the fiscal year if applicable.

$171,120 per year out of the general fund. If awarded, e-rate funding would be in the form of a yearly rebate sent to district, with an anticipated amount of 80% of total ($136,896) leaving district final out-of-pocket expenditure at 20% ($34,224).