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Danbury Board of Awards approves $1.6 million in Career Academy technology and related city IT purchases
Summary
The Danbury City Board of Awards on March 26 unanimously approved multiple procurements for the Danbury Career Academy — including a $1.319 million AV contract and a $193,809 Mitel phone system — plus several related IT and fire‑department purchases; many items are expected to receive state reimbursement.
The Danbury City Board of Awards voted unanimously March 26 to approve a package of technology and equipment contracts for the Danbury Career Academy and related city IT needs, including a $1,319,231.89 sealed‑bid award for classroom AV equipment. Dan Petrovich, assistant city engineer, presented the solicitations and motions for the academy purchases and related items.
The largest single award was bid number O1242506 to RNB Enterprises for $1,319,231.89 to procure and install classroom AV equipment for the Danbury Career Academy. "We held a scope review with RNB and our design professionals, and they committed to complete the work," Petrovich said, and the board approved the contract by voice vote. The assistant city engineer said the city expects to receive 80% reimbursement from the state for eligible items.
Petrovich also moved to approve digital display panels from R and B Enterprises for $35,124.68 to be installed in corridors and common areas, and to purchase 25 Apple iMac computers for $36,125 under Board of Education contract pricing. The sole‑source justification for the Apple purchase was supported by a letter from Dr. Cara Quinn Casimiro, the school superintendent, which said the district's digital‑arts program relies on that platform. "We anticipate receiving 8% reimbursement" for the iMac purchase, Petrovich said.
The board approved a sole‑source award to Total Communications for a Mitel voice‑over‑IP phone system at the Career Academy at a quoted $193,809.66; staff said the Mitel equipment must be compatible with existing district systems. The board also approved a $15,610.96 purchase of digital arts cameras from R and B Enterprises.
Separately, the board approved technology‑services items, including annual maintenance for the fire department's First Due management system (invoice $40,682.25) and a change order to the city's IT support contract with Computer Integrated Services (CIS) that adds $52,380 for an additional 540 hours at $97/hour to support a network upgrade project. Frank Gentile, director of technology services, described the extension as necessary to continue the network upgrade through April and possibly into June.
All motions on these items carried by unanimous voice vote. Several of the procurements were processed as purchase orders under existing cooperative or state contract authority and included sole‑source justifications where staff said compatibility or state approvals applied.
The board recorded no debate opposing the awards; members who spoke during votes included Robin Edwards, deputy corporation counsel, who repeatedly voiced support. The procurements will be charged to the Danbury Career Academy fund codes identified in the requisitions, and several items noted anticipated state reimbursement percentages in the project descriptions.
Next steps: staff will finalize purchase orders and process state reimbursement paperwork where applicable; the board did not request additional study or amendments to the approved contracts.
