Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Technology Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes RFPs for WAN fiber and core‑switch upgrades; trustees discuss backup power costs
Summary
Trustees authorized use of PCC §20118.2 competitive negotiation for two E‑rate technology projects — WAN fiber (project 25‑525) and districtwide core‑switch upgrades (project 25‑526) — and discussed UPS purpose, run time and a $16 million estimate for multi‑hour battery backup.
District staff asked the board to authorize procurement under Public Contract Code section 20118.2 so staff can use a request‑for‑proposal (RFP) and competitive negotiation instead of a low‑bid process for two E‑rate technology projects: wide area network fiber services (project 25‑525) and districtwide core‑switch upgrades (project 25‑526).
Staff said the RFP approach permits evaluation beyond low cost — including vendor financing, reliability, warranties, support logistics and availability — and that any selected proposal would be brought back to the board for approval. The board voted to authorize staff to proceed with both RFPs.
Trustees also discussed uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and resilience planning with technology staff. Matt Stockton explained that UPS units are batteries intended to allow equipment to shut down safely and protect costly equipment during outages; run time from UPS units is typically short (about an hour or less) and sustained multi‑day power requires generators or large battery‑backup systems. One trustee cited a prior analysis showing a roughly $16,000,000 estimate to provide about four hours of battery backup at Santa Maria High School when evaluated alongside rooftop solar options.
The board moved, seconded and approved both authorizations by roll call.
