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Title:
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Approval of a Professional Service Agreement with Blackboard Connect, Inc. (Formerly the NTI Group) for the Connect CTY System.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: January 10, 2011 Item Number: C-3
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Approval of a Professional Service Agreement with
Blackboard Connect, Inc. (Formerly the NTI Group) for the Connect CTY System.
Contact Person/Dept.: Ron Iizuka Phone Number: (310) 253-6258
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification : Meetings and Agendas – City Council (01/05/11)
Department Approval:
Don Pedersen (12/30/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (01/04/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (01/05/11)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (01/05/11)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a professional services agreement with
Blackboard Inc (formerly the NTI Group) for subscription to Blackboard Connect
(formerly CTY Connect Services) for emergency notification services
BACKGROUND:
In July of 2007 the City entered into an agreement with the NTI Group to provide the
City with a mechanism to reach members of the community, many local
governments, schools and businesses using an “auto dial” system to provide
community messages or alerts to pre-arranged numbers and e-mail addresses. This
system is also known as a “reverse 911” system.
During the past few years that we had the opportunity to use the service we have
had a very positive response from the community. It has allowed City departments to
send out very important messages to the community alerting them of an incident that
could impact their lives.
Blackboard Inc. has provided the City with a platform in which the community has a
direct line to important information regarding any emergency or incident that may
occur in the City. Blackboard Inc. has provided all the services that were agreed to
in the past contract. The City has developed a positive working relationship with the
company and their representatives who work directly with City staff.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
During the first three years of this contract the City has benefited greatly from the
services provided by implementing this program for the community. It has been a
useful tool in the planning and management of emergency preparedness and allows
the community to have almost instant information regarding any type of an incident
that could take place.
The system is simple to operate and has been used by several city departments for
items ranging from emergencies, community alerts, or internal notification to city
personnel of emergency mobilization plans.
Culver City Municipal Code Section 3.07.085.A exempts professional services from
the formal competitive bidding requirement, provided competitive quotations are
obtained whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. Under the
circumstances and given the cost reduction that is being offered, staff believes, and
the City Manager concurs, it is in the best interest of the City to maintain the existing
relationship with Blackboard Connect, Inc.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Sufficient funds are available in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year
2010/2011 for this agreement. The recurring cost has been $33,080 each year for
the term of the agreement.
During the review of this current agreement that expired June 30, 2010, Blackboard
Connect agreed to lower the base cost per household from $2.19 to $1.91. This will
allow the new agreement to be lowered by 12.8%. The cost of the new agreement is
$30,560 plus a support fee of $957.13 for a total of $31,517.13. This will be a costs
savings of $1,562.87 per year compared with the price structure of the prior
agreement. Staff has confirmed with Blackboard Connect that the prices quotes are
valid until the proposed expiration of the agreement (June 30, 2014).
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
1. Approve a professional services agreement with Blackboard Connect to provide
the City with emergency notification system in an amount not to exceed $32,000
annually and for a term expiring on June 30, 2014; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.