Staff members read aloud competing proposals for telecommunications services, new phone systems and radio/consultant work, showing wide variance in one‑time and recurring costs and multiple option packages from vendors.
The public bid read included vendors such as Telenco of Augusta, Verizon, Dialpad, EliteMind Technologies, Digital Agent, Brand Telecom, Ahoy Telecom, Average Networks, Ambit Bridging Communications, Proof Solutions, Converge NetMakes and Motorola Solutions. Staff said some proposals break costs into one‑time implementation fees and recurring monthly charges, which makes direct comparisons more complex.
Why it matters: the county is seeking a replacement for its existing phone/telecommunications system and is also soliciting consultant work for radio or system needs assessments. Multiple vendors provided tiered pricing for needs assessments, design/specification work, procurement assistance and implementation, meaning procurement staff will need to evaluate both price and scope.
Staff noted specific examples: Telenco of Augusta listed a one‑time charge of $8,404.67 and recurring annual costs of $10,008.95; Verizon’s one‑time cost was read as $62,005.80 with monthly fees around $6,057; Dialpad’s one‑time cost was read as $36,005.40 with an annual recurring cost of $59,008.83. Motorola Solutions submitted a needs assessment price of $24,009.22, design/spec payment of $38,002.54, and an implementation line of $40,001.45.
A staff member observed, "we're having a lot of problems with our current system, and and we've had 4 6 years," noting technology changes and service issues as context for the procurement. The staff reader cautioned that some vendors included sales tax or multiple pricing options that are not directly comparable without normalization and asked procurement personnel to "go through and make sure we got everything covered."
Discussion vs. decision: the meeting record shows only the reading of bids and a staff recommendation to review and compare proposals. No award or vendor selection was recorded in the transcript.
Next steps: procurement staff will need to normalize one‑time and recurring costs, compare scope and service levels across proposals, and prepare recommendations for the governing body before any contract award.