The City currently has a managed Wi-Fi system that provides Wi-Fi for staff, guests, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and Council chambers.  The Wi-Fi system is seven years old and needs replacement to provide reliable Wi-Fi services to the EOC, to support 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz network coverage simultaneously, to meet current security needs, to provide greater visibility as to who is on our wireless network, to increase the available bandwidth via Wi-Fi for data intensive applications, and to improve the network management capabilities.
 
The Extreme Wireless solution is being purchased from High Point Networks through an existing State of Montana contract (AR-1470).  The wireless upgrade was approved in the FY 2016 Technology Replacement Plan and is budgeted for in the Information Technology FY 2016 budget.

City Council may:

• Approve purchasing the Extreme Wireless Wi-Fi solution, or
• Disapprove the purchase.  Information Technology would have to reassess the options for meeting the organization's technology needs and recommend any viable solutions.

The FY 2016 Technology Replacement Plan (TRP) and the Information Technology budget includes $ 80,000 to purchase a new managed wireless solution.  The new wireless solution, quoted at $ 75,342, is within budget and will be funded 100% from the Information Technology budget.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve purchasing a new wireless managed solution from High Point Networks and Extreme Wireless for the quoted price of $75,342.