The City of Billings utilizes a Nortel/Avaya centralized telephone system which includes service to the Public Works Belknap and the Billings Operations Center (BOC) remote sites.  The Information Technology Division (IT) recently upgraded the City Hall main phone system and the remote systems at the Airport, MET, and Communications Center.  The proposed upgrades at the PW-Belknap and the BOC sites will update systems that are currently 15+ years old to have the same modern functionality as other remote sites and ensure manufacturer support.

Staff reviewed several options before upgrading the main City Hall phone system and the remote systems at the Communications Center, MET, and Airport.  The proposed upgrades at the PW-Belknap and BOC sites are part of a roadmap to bring the overall City's telephone system to a modern and vendor supported state.  Given this, no other alternatives were considered for the PW-Belknap and BOC remote locations.  The City Council may accept the recommendation and authorize upgrading these systems or it may reject the recommendation and identify its preferred action.

The City Telephone System upgrades for the PW-Belknap & BOC sites will be funded out of the FY2012 IT Centralized Telephone Budget.  The purchase of $ 53,057.82 ($ 22,539.74 at BOC & $30,518.08 at PW-Belknap) will be made through an existing State of Montana contract with Black Box Networking Services for telephone system upgrades and services.  The City is allowed to purchase many items and services from State contracts because the State's competitive bidding/selection process complies with the State law that applies to the State and local governments.  The proposed upgrades are part of the approved FY2012 Technology Replacement Program and the Fy2012 Centralized Telephone Budget.

Staff recommends that Council approve the purchase of the telephone system upgrades at the PW-Belknap and BOC sites from Black Box Network Services at a total cost of $53,057.82.