Staff recommends that the City Council reject the sole bid and allow staff to rebid at a later date.

For the past 20+ years the Airport's entire computer network system has been connected to the City's network via a direct link to the Information Technology (IT) Department at City Hall through a DragonWave point-to-point wireless system that sends data back and forth from the Airport to the network servers at the IT Department.  Unfortunately, no hardwired, in ground line existed between the two locations; therefore, this wireless alternative was the only option for a connection.  Although it has worked well and served its purpose, at times this wireless service can be unreliable or extremely slow, especially when inclement weather such as heavy rain or snow is experienced.

At the end of 2018, Public Works-Engineering, IT, and the Airport were informed that the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) was planning to begin a construction project along North 27th Street, from 1st Avenue South to the roundabout in front of the Airport.  These improvements included repaving North 27th Street, installing all new light poles, traffic signals, crosswalk improvements, and trenching or boring all new conduit with fiber optic lines.  When City staff heard that conduit and fiber were being installed along the entire route, discussions started to take place with the MDT to potentially add an extra fiber line to connect the Airport and IT.  After negotiating with the MDT, an additional fiber line was included into this project and the work was completed in December of 2020.  Subsequently, the Airport is hiring a contractor to finish installing the remaining conduit and fiber optic lines, boring beneath the roadways from the roundabout into the Terminal Building so that there is a reliable, secure, and fast hardwired connection between the two locations, thereby eliminating the wireless connection.  Additionally, extra spare fiber will be pulled so that enough fiber strands are available to replace the existing fiber connection for the Access Control gates on the east side of the Airport.  The existing fiber run for the gates was apparently damaged during the construction of the roundabout and the Airport has experienced intermittent issues with this line since then.

This project was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on January 22, 29, and February 5, 2021, and posted on the City and Airport's Websites.  On February 9, 2021, the following bid was received:
 

CONTRACTOR	BID
Yellowstone Electric	$146,355.00

        
This was significantly over the Engineer's estimate of $125,000.  Staff would like to reject the sole bid, review the scope of the project, and rebid at a later date.

City Council may:

• Approve the award of the Airport's Conduit and Fiber Optic Installation Project to Yellowstone Electric for $146,355.00; or
• Reject the sole bid, and allow staff to rebid the project.

The sole bid for this project is $146,355.00.  If project is rejected there will be no Fiscal Impact until the project is rebid.