Board approves E‑rate contracts for internet transport and UPS battery replacements

The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District board voted March 5 to award a contract to AT&T for district Ethernet (data transport) services and to approve a procurement agreement with CDW Government for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery replacements, both under the federal E‑rate program.

Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Officer Todd Rivera told the board the AT&T contract covers Ethernet services (internet transport) and that the district’s E‑rate funding would pay about 60% of the annual cost. Rivera told the board the full annual service cost is approximately $67,654, of which E‑rate would cover about $40,592.74, leaving the district with an estimated $27,061 annual local share.

Rivera described the CDW Government bid as a Category 2 equipment procurement for UPS battery replacements. He said the total list price for all items on the proposal would be approximately $39,795 and the district has roughly $12,834.63 remaining in its five‑year Category 2 E‑rate funding bucket to apply toward purchases.

Both items were subject to the district’s public bid process required by E‑rate rules. Rivera told the board AT&T was the only bidder on the Ethernet contract; the CDW item provides set pricing for battery replacements the district may purchase as needed.

The board approved motions to award and ratify both contracts. Trustees responded with brief discussion about the district’s E‑rate funding history and noted that the district’s E‑rate coverage had fallen from a previous 70/30 share to about 60/40 because free‑and‑reduced lunch counts declined after the district implemented universal meals.

Ending: Rivera said the district will apply remaining Category 2 funds where appropriate and continue to use the E‑rate process for telecommunications and infrastructure purchases.