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Q&A
Clarification on the procurement process for Big Apple Connect
0:24:14
·
4 min
Council Member Gutiérrez seeks clarification on the procurement process for the Big Apple Connect program, particularly regarding the RFP process and vendor selection. OTI officials provide details on the actual process used.
- OTI clarifies that the process was not a traditional RFP, but rather a 'mini-bid' among existing vendors
- The mini-bid was conducted under existing telecom enterprise agreements
- Only three providers (Altice, Spectrum, and Verizon) were eligible to participate due to existing contracts
- Officials explain that this process is similar to other procurement methods used for specific scenarios, such as MWBE contracting
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:24:14
Okay.
0:24:16
Okay.
0:24:17
Now I do want to ask some questions on Big Apple Connect, but just a few.
0:24:22
Okay?
0:24:24
Because I because, you know, we did have that hearing a couple years ago, and and, obviously, this was, like, when it was first announced.
0:24:30
My first question is related to the RFP process and procurement.
0:24:35
So in September 22, you testified that OTI had received proposals under Big Apple Connect throughout through an RFP and shared that there would be follow-up on whether bulk purchasing options were included.
0:24:47
We've asked we have repeatedly asked for that RFP and then obviously since the rollout of of the plan.
0:24:56
Has an RFP been provided to this committee to your knowledge?
Brett Sikoff
0:25:02
I don't know exactly what was provided to the committee, but what I can tell you is there wasn't a what we would consider an RFP in parlance of franchises.
0:25:10
Like an RFP would go out broadly to interested parties for generally for a nonexclusive franchise for some sort of service that they can provide.
0:25:19
In this case it was more like a mini bid that was sent out to parties, to entities that can provide the services that were being requested.
0:25:28
In this case it was going to be broadband, basic cable TV and some other, you know, requirements related to that.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:25:34
But it is referred to as an RFP or is
Brett Sikoff
0:25:37
it I would ask deputy commissioner.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:25:41
So the question is because in September 22, the day of the hearing, think was the same day that the announcement was made about Big Apple Connect and so it was surprising to us at the council, was surprising to me as chair of this committee and so we had asked for how did you decide on these two providers and I think you know you said oh you know we wanted these these four services, three four services.
0:26:01
But what you also shared, Bret, is that you would share kind of what that RFP looked like.
0:26:06
To my knowledge, it has not been shared with the committee.
0:26:08
And so that is the question.
0:26:11
If it exists, and when can we have it?
Brett Sikoff
0:26:13
It certainly exists and I believe we did share this several years ago so we can double check and confirm but I believe we did share it with the committee.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:26:21
Okay.
0:26:22
Okay.
0:26:22
But it exists?
0:26:23
It definitely And then you just said what because it it was not an RFP that was made public at the time or can you just give me a little bit of that what you just shared?
0:26:37
Just Chantal come on.
0:26:41
Morning.
0:26:42
What do you got for me?
Chantal Senatus
0:26:43
So the way our telecom enterprise agreements are framed, when that original RFP went out we we essentially wanted the ability to have multiple providers who have contracts with the city so that we can create competition there and maximize the cost of the minimize the cost of the city.
0:27:02
So there's a mechanism where essentially we create a mini bid between our existing vendors who have those telecom enterprise agreements and essentially that is the competition that is laid out and that's where the request for proposals are issued in that context.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:27:20
And did you all besides Altice and Spectrum because those are the two that are designated, can you share I don't need the names but how many other providers participated or submitted this request for proposals?
Chantal Senatus
0:27:33
We I think we only have one other provider that has a telecom enterprise agreement, and that's Verizon.
0:27:37
I'm happy to share it.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:27:38
There was only one other one.
0:27:39
Verizon.
0:27:43
And so I guess would you define would you define it as an open RFP process then since
Chantal Senatus
0:27:49
I wouldn't describe it as an open RFP process.
0:27:52
It's really more of a mini bid between existing contractors.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:27:58
Have you has OTI put out an existing mini bid in other instances?
Chantal Senatus
0:28:02
There are processes that encourage mini bids like say for instance when you have minority and women owned businesses and we have new provisions that mocks put out a couple of years ago that essentially allow us to procure directly with MWBEs, we also engage in a mini bid there like to the extent that there are multiple MWBEs that perform the same sort of work, we essentially send out like mini solicitations to them all.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:28:30
Okay.