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2000-23461 RESO RESOLUTION NO. 2000-23461 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO THE POWERS DELEGATED TO HIM IN CHAPTER II, ARTICLE VI OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "PROCUREMENT", IS AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE AND CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA PREQUALIFIED CONTRACT VENDORS FOR THE DESIGN, PROCUREMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AT MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER, ENCOMPASSING VOICE, DATA, VIDEO, IMAGING AND RF RADIO SERVICES. WHEREAS, pursuant to Request for Proposal No. 106-85/90 for Providing Voice and Data Telecommunications Services at the City of Miami Beach Convention Center (the RFP), the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution No. 86-18703, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Agreement between the City and the successful proposer, Future Telecommunications, Inc. (the Agreement); and WHEREAS, National Data is the successor in interest to this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the initial term of the Agreement commenced on February 10, 1986, and ended on February 9,1991; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 89-19806, the Mayor and City Commission extended the Agreement for two additional years, until February 9, 1994; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution Nos. 94-21029 and 94-21263, respectively, the Agreement was again extended and presently continues on a month-to-month basis; and WHEREAS, the City's original rationale in extending the National Data Agreement on a month-to-month basis was to allow it to either (i) negotiate with National Data for the acquisition of the voice and data telecommunications equipment at MBCC, pursuant to the City's option to purchase same in the Agreement, or, in the event that the City chose not to exercise said option to purchase, (ii) to allow the Administration time to issue a new Request for Proposals for providing telecommunications services at MBCC, while maintaining the National Data owned telecommunications system in place, and not disrupting telecommunications operations at MBCC; and WHEREAS, the City has since determined that it will not exercise its option to purchase National Data's telecommunications equipment at MBCC and, additionally, the cabling as well; the City has, in fact, since 1994, subsequently issued numerous Request for Proposals to replace the existing wiring and telephone system at MBCC, but, to date, no action has been taken with regard to said RFP's, and National Data continues at MBCC on the aforestated month-to-month extension; and WHEREAS, it has recently come to the Administration's attention that the current telecommunications system at MBCC may be inadequate and may no longer be able to satisfactorily supply the required services; particularly with regard to connections to exhibitors for high speed data and internet access; and WHEREAS, this alleged deficiency in the system, and consequently in service, may compromise the City's position with regard to its ability to obtain future "high-tech" exhibitors such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Micro Systems and other companies which comprise the leading edge in the industry and provide lucrative opportunities for future business meetings at MBCC; and WHEREAS, previously, pursuant to the Mayor and City Commission's directive at their July 21, 1999 meeting, the Administration retained the services of a consultant to conduct an independent audit of the MBCC telecommunications wiring and switch; and WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Management Services was contacted and the City met with them on August 4, 1999, whereupon they were requested to provide the City with a proposal for an on-site audit to be conducted by the Telecommunications Infrastructure Projects Services (TIPS) State consultants and State contracted vendors; the City received a proposal from the TIPS office on August 12, 1999, and authorized the TIPS consultant to conduct said audit; and WHEREAS, on August 25, 1999, the on-site audit was conducted by TIPS and a written document outlining the cabling test results and other findings was submitted to the Administration on September 4, 1999; and WHEREAS, in summary, the auditors presented the following findings in their report: 1) The cabling system was observed to be non-compliant with Category 3 and Category 5 nationally recognized ANSI/EIA/TIA standards, which specify the minimum requirements for a telecommunications system including voice, data and video components; 2) Currently, the type of cabling system is adequate only for voice systems and limited data systems; 3) Due to the existence of water in the MBCC hall, floor boxes and conduits, the present cable is not rated nor designed to withstand these wet conditions and the wiring is not water-resistant; 4) The existing telephone switch lags far behind the current software, and contains hardware that has already been discontinued, since it derives from 1986 technology; 5) The value of the existing switch is minimal and the market for this equipment on the secondary market has declined; 2 6) The purchase of a new telephone switch was recommended by the audit as well as the relocation of the switch to the upper levels for protection from the current ground water problems or any future storm flooding that might occur; 7) New technology, as stipulated in the audit, would offer advantages such as redundancy, faster processors, expendability for wireless companion phones, new series of phones, enhanced Nortel applications, digital circuits, high speed data capabilities and new hospitality billing packages; and WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on October 20, 1999, the Mayor and City Commission awarded a contract to TIPS for the design of a new telecommunications infrastructure and switch for MBCC; and WHEREAS, pursuant to contract negotiations with TIPS, the Administration was informed that the TIPS section was established by the State to assist Suncom users in the design, procurement, implementation and installation of telecommunications systems encompassing voice, data, video, imaging and RF radio services, by providing users with a single point of contact, lower costs, faster contract services, and, most of all, compliance with Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, the Administration was also informed that the TIPS section service includes a provision that users must deal exclusively with State of Florida contract vendors, which have been prequalified by the State through a rigorous Invitation to Bid process and specifications; and WHEREAS, at this time, the Administration would recommend that the Mayor and City Commission authorize it to proceed with the TIPS contract for the design, procurement, implementation and installation of a new telecommunications system at MBCC, with the further proviso that the Administration utilize and negotiate with the State prequalified vendors in the South Florida area, due to the quality of the companies represented, pricing advantages, and the strict ITP specifications these companies have met; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-369 of the Miami Beach Code, the purchase of commodities, materials, supplies or other items on a continuing basis from Miami-Dade County or State or Federal general services administration bid lists, may be approved by the City Manager without any action by the City Commission, even thought the total cost of such commodities, materials, supplies or other items may exceed $10,000 over a one year period; and WHEREAS, the Administration has successfully used State prequalified contractors in the recent past for telecommunications system wiring at the Police Department, various Parks and Recreations facilities, Old City Hall, and numerous Fire Stations; and WHEREAS, the Administration estimates that the anticipated cost of a new telecommunications system at MBCC would be approximately $750,000, with monies for this expenditure already approved and allocated under the Capital Projects Plan for MBCC. 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Mayor and City Commission herein authorize the City Manager, pursuant to the powers delegated to him in Chapter II, Article VI of the Miami Beach City Code, entitled "Procurement", is authorized to negotiate and contract with the State of Florida prequalified contract vendors for the design, procurement, implementation and installation of a new telecommunications system at Miami Beach Convention Center, encompassing voice, data, video, imaging and RF radio services. PASSED and ADOPTED this12thday of January ,2000. 111 MAYOR JiT I, )M6 Pa.!.Llv-- C TY CLERK RJA\l:w F:IA TTOIAGURIRESOS\TIPSAGR I.RES APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION 1fc ~1!r- C Affornav V~~CJ 4 After Action January 12, 2000 City of Miami Beach R7F Commission Memorandum No. 47-00 A Resolution Authorizing the Administration and City Attorney's Office to Take the Following Actions with Regard to the Existing Telecommunications System at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC): 1) Terminate the Current Agreement between the City and National Data and Communications, Inc. (National Data), the City's Current Telecommunications Vendor at MBCC; Said Agreement's Initial Term and Option Term Having Expired and Currently Proceeding Under a Month-to-Month Extension, Pursuant to Resolution No. 94-21263; 2) Concurrent with the Termination of the Aforestated Agreement with National Data, the Administration and SMG, as the City's Manager and Agent at MBCC, are Authorized to Negotiate a Smooth Transition Period to Ensure that the Present Telecommunications Services at MBCC Remain uninterrupted and that any Potential Disruption as to Current and Future Exhibitors at MBCC is Minimized; 3) SMG is Authorized to Contract Directly with an Interim Service Providers(s)/Vendor(s) for Telecommunications Services at MBCC, Said Services Including, But Not Limited to, Wire Telephone Service, Wireless Telephone Service, and Connections for High Speed Data and Internet Access; Said Interim Services for the Period Following Termination of the National Data Agreement, through the Installation of a New Permanent Telecommunications System; 4) The City Manager, Pursuant to the Powers Delegated to Him in Chapter II, Article VI of the Miami Beach City Code, Entitled "Procurement", is Authorized to Negotiate and Contract with the State of Florida Prequalified Contract Vendors for the Design, Procurement, Implementation and Installation of a New Telecommunications System at MBCC, Encompassing Voice, Data, Video, Imaging and RF Radio Services; and 5) Further the Administration and City Attorney's Office are Authorized to Take Any and All Related Actions to Facilitate the Transition from National Data, to an Interim Supplier/Vendor, and, Finally, Toward the Installation of a New Permanent Telecommunications System at MBCC. Administration Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution. (Information Technology) ACTION: Prior to hearing this item, Mr. Alhadeff, on behalf of National Data Communications, requested that parts 1,2,3 and 5 of the resolution be deferred until January 26th Commission Meeting because his client is out of town. Mr. Alhadeff also stated that his client supports the awarding of a contract to the State for the reasons stated in item 4 of the resolution. Resolution No. 2000-23461 adopted as amended: Item #4 of the resolution negotiating and contacting with the State of Florida approved. The remainder of the resolution is deferred to the January 26th Commission meeting. Motion made by Commissioner Bower; seconded by Commissioner Garcia; voice vote: 6-0; absent: Commissioner Liebman. Kay Randall to handle. Judy Hoanshelt to place on the Commission agenda. Handout: 1. Letter and different correspondence from E. Richard Alhadeff to Mayor Kasdin and Members of the City Commission, dated January 10, 2000, RE: National Data and Communications of Florida LLC 2. Letter from E. Richard Alhadeffto Mayor Kasdin, January 6, 2000, RE: Bid No. 65-98/99 Telecommunications Cable and Wiring and Bid No. 69-98/99 Telephone System requesting this item be deferred until the next Commission meeting. 27 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 http:\\cI.mlaml-beach.n.ua COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. H-,-e><.::> TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and Members of the City Commission Lawrence A. Levy %' City Manager DATE: January 12, 2000 FROM: SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION AND CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE EXISTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AT THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER (MBCC): 1) TO TERMINATE THE CURRENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND NATIONAL DATA AND COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (NATIONAL DATA), THE CITY'S CURRENT TELECOMMUNICA TIONS VENDOR AT MBCC; SAID AGREEMENT'S INITIAL TERM AND OPTION TERM HAVING EXPIRED AND CURRENTLY PROCEEDING UNDER A MONTH- TO- MONTH EXTENSION, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 94-21263; 2) CONCURRENT WITH THE TERMINATION OF THE AFORESTATED AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL DATA, THE ADMINISTRATION AND SMG, AS THE CITY'S MANAGER AND AGENT AT MBCC, ARE AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE A SMOOTH TRANSITION PERIOD TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT MBCC REMAIN UNINTERRUPTED AND THAT ANY POTENTIAL DISRUPTION AS TO CURRENT AND FUTURE EXHIBITORS AT MBCC IS MINIMIZED; 3) SMG IS AUTHORIZED TO CONTRACT DffiECTLY WITH AN INTERIM SERVICE PROVIDER(S)/VENDOR(S) FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT MBCC, SAID SERVICES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WIRE TELEPHONE SERVICE, WIRELESS TELEPHONE SERVICE, AND CONNECTIONS FOR HIGH SPEED DATA AND INTERNET ACCESS; SAID INTERIM SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF THE NATIONAL DATA AGREEMENT, THROUGH THE INSTALLA TION OF A NEW PERMANENT TELECOMMUNICA TIONS SYSTEM; 4) THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO THE POWERS DELEGATED TO HIM IN CHAPTER II, ARTICLE VI OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "PROCUREMENT", IS AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE AND CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA PRE-QUALIFIED CONTRACT VENDORS FOR THE DESIGN, PROCUREMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AT MBCC, ENCOMPASSING AGENDA ITEM 12..1 F DATE (- (2-00 VOICE, DATA, VIDEO, IMAGING AND RF RADIO SERVICES; AND 5) FURTHER THE ADMINISTRATION AND CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE ANY AND ALL RELATED ACTIONS TO FACILITATE THE TRANSITION FROM NATIONAL DATA, TO AN INTERIM SUPPLIERlVENDOR, AND, FINALLY, TOWARD THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW PERMANENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AT MBCC. ADMINISTRA TION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution. ANALYSIS The Capital Project Plan for the Miami Beach Convention Center contains telecommunications cabling and systems upgrades which were approved by the Commission for Fiscal Year 1998/99. Subsequently, in June, 1999, two Invitations to Bid were issued in order to replace the existing wiring and telephone system owned by the current telecommunications vendor, National Data Communications, Inc.: 1. Invitation to Bid #65-98/99 for cabling and wiring of the telecommunications systems 2. Invitation to Bid #69-98/99 for a new telephone systems to serve the exhibition hall and meeting room areas of both the Miami Beach Convention Center and Jackie Gleason Theater. The City received numerous proposals for each Bid and the City Administration recommended to the Commission that Bid #65-98/99 be awarded to the lowest bidder, DVC Technologies, while all responses to Bid #69-98/99 be rejected as they did not meet the minimum requirements. The Commission deferred both items at their July 21, 1999, meeting and asked the City Administration to hire a consultant to conduct an independent audit of the Convention Center wiring and switch. The Florida Department of Management Services was contacted and the City met with them on August 4, 1999, whereupon they were requested to provide the City with a proposal for an on-site audit to be conducted by the Telecommunications Infrastructure Project Services (TIPS) State consultants and State contracted vendors. The City received a proposal from the TIPS office on August 12, 1999 and authorized the TIPS consultants to conduct the following tasks: 1. Review the previous study on the telecommunications infrastructure wiring. Test a random number of cables to verifY the test conclusions. 2. Determine if the existing cabling system is appropriate for the present and future Convention Center requirements. 3. Review the Invitation to Bid and determine if the Bid is appropriate for the present and future Convention Center requirements. Provide recommendations referencing the Invitation to Bid. 4. Review the existing telephone PBX switch and determine ifit is Y2K compliant. In addition, the City requested a proposal for Design and Project Services for a new telecommunications infrastructure system at the Miami Beach Convention Center. On August 25, 1999, the on-site audit was conducted and a written document outlining the cabling test results and other findings was submitted to the City on September 4, 1999. The State auditors' examined several areas with the following findings: Wiring - Evaluation of the existing wiring at the Miami Beach Convention Center that is owned by National Data Communications, Inc. As part of this evaluation process, the State auditors reviewed the previous Florida Intranet Group, Inc. study and test results, dated October 27, 1997, and contracted by the City. Two TIPS Project Managers reviewed the present cabling system on site and tested a random number of cables. The cabling system was observed to be non-compliant with Category 3 and Category 5 nationally recognized ANSVEIAffIA standards. These standards specify the minimum requirements for a telecommunication system including voice, data and video components. Currently, the type of cabling system in the Convention Center is adequate for voice systems and limited data systems. However, due to the existence of water within the Convention Center hall floor boxes and conduits, the present cable is not rated or designed to withstand these wet conditions and the wiring is not water resistant. Therefore, the current cabling needs to be replaced because it is not designed for the building conditions. Requirements for Wiring - Reviewing present and future Convention Center telecommunications requirements as discussed in the SMG. This report establishes a well-rounded scope of services for the Convention Center cabling system. Basically, the Convention Center user requirements range from standard voice, modem and fax access to high-speed Internet access and high-speed remote network connections. Local area networks and video services are a necessity in today's business and education convention-based markets. These requirements establish the need for standards-based telecommunications systems with greater bandwidth capabilities. Existing Specifications - Reviewing the technical portion of the Miami Beach Convention Center Invitation To Bid #65-98/99, for replacement of the telecommunication cabling and wiring system utilizing Category 5 copper and fiber cabling and determination of whether the Bid is appropriate for present and future needs. According to the evaluation, the Invitation to Bid was based on the existing cabling system layout and neglected to resolve a number of the existing compliance issues. These issues include: 1. Cabling suitable for the conditions 2. Cable length in excess of standards 3. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) considerations 4. Closet space requirements 5. A registered engineer should provide electrical engineering documents for the new communication system, per Florida Statutes 471, as well as specific design documents per the Florida Board of Professional Engineers #61GI5-33.005 6. The contractors installing data and video communications wiring should be licensed by the Electrical Contractor's Licensing Board per the requirements of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Due to these deficiencies, the Invitation to Bid was not awarded at the City Commission meeting on September 22, 1999. It was further recommended that a new Bid be issued after a new design was prepared. Telephone Switch - Evaluation of the existing telephone switch at the Miami Beach Convention Center that is owned by National Data Communications, Inc. The present Convention Center Telephone Switch, the Nortel SL-l NT, Version XII, is from a product line that was introduced in 1986 and that was replaced in 1990 by the Meridian I product line. A random representative selection of the facility's telecommunications infrastructure including spaces pathways and cabling was conducted by the State of Florida Contract Vendor through Sprint for the Nortel Telephone Switch. In addition, they focused on the condition of the Telephone Switch, Y2K compliance and suitability for deploying future telecommunications services. The Telephone Switch was inventoried by both Sprint engineers and technicians who pulled basic system reports and by J.C. Balsera, the State of Florida Telecommunications consultant who participated in the site visit. It was determined that the SL-l NT, Release 14, Telephone Switch was Y2K ready. However, it lags far behind the current software Release 24, and contains hardware that has already been discontinued since it derives from 1986 technology. The value of the existing switch is minimal and the market for this equipment on the secondary market has declined. The purchase of a new Telephone Switch is recommended by the audit as well as the relocation of the Switch to the upper levels for protection from the current ground water problems or any future storm flooding that might occur. The relocation will allow for new wiring to be installed in a central location in order to shorten runs and reduce the cost of new wire. New technology, as stipulated in the audit, will offer advantages such as redundancy, faster processors, expendability for wireless companion phones, new series of phones, enhanced Nortel applications, digital circuits, high speed data capabilities and new hospitality billing packages. Contract Awarded for Design The City of Miami Beach Commission awarded a contract for the Design of a new telecommunications infrastructure and switch for the Miami Beach Convention Center to TIPS as specified in Commission Memorandum 753-99, dated October 20, 1999. Contract Negotiations and Specifications The City Administration contacted TIPS to engage in contract negotiations and was informed that the TIPS Section was established to assist SUNCOM users in the design, procurement, implementation and installation of telecommunications systems encompassing voice, data, video, imaging and RF radio services. The TIPS Section can provide the City of Miami Beach with a single point of contact, lower cost, faster contract services, and most of all, compliance with Florida Statutes. The City Administration would like to inform the Members of the City Commission that the TIPS Section service includes dealing exclusively with the State of Florida Contract Vendors. These vendors have been pre-qualified by the State through a rigorous Invitation to Bid (ITB) process and specifications. The City Administration agrees with utilizing the State vendors because of the quality of the companies represented, pricing advantage and the strict ITB specifications the companies have met. The South Florida State pre-qualified vendors are: Telecommunication Infrastructure Wiring & Connectivity 1. Universal Cabling Systems, Inc. 2. Telecomm Engineering Consultants, Inc. 3. Commercial Communications Systems, Inc. 4. Mastec Network Services 5. Miami Business Telephone Telecommunications Equipment-Private Automatic Branch Exchange (Switch) 1. Lucent Technologies, Inc. 2. Siemens Information & Communications Network 3. Sprint The design service is based on a percentage of the total project cost. Professional Engineering Design services utilizing a TIPS professional Engineer and certified registered cable designer are computed based on five percent (5%) of the total project cost including cost of additive alternates. For a project without any ACAD building drawings, the additional hourly costs may be required to draft building floor plans. This will be reviewed and determined based on the plans available from the City. It is expected that the design will take approximately two to three months. The City and SMG concurred that the anticipated cost of a new telecommunications infrastructure would be approximately $750,000.00 as experienced recently in similar facilities. Based on this estimate, the projected TIPS fee would be $37,500.00. The City has therefore issued a standing order in that amount to cover this fee. The TIPS design would include parameters set forth by SMG and be compliant with the standards set by ANSI/EIAfTIA, Florida Statute including those setdown by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Board of Professional Engineers regulations, Electrical Contractor's Licensing Board, and City compliance requirements, as well as compliance with ADA requirements. In addition, the design will accommodate new switch requirements and the relocation of the new switch to the upper levels of the Convention Center facility in order to provide protection from current ground water problems and allow for new wiring in a central location to shorten runs and reduce cost of new wire. Once the design is complete, the City will issue an Invitation to Bid to the State of Florida Contract Vendors for the Telecommunications Infrastructure and Switch. The City will propose to the City Commission the approval of a contract utilizing the TIPS Section as project manager in conjunction with the City Administration to assist with procurement, implementation and installation services and secure additional funding for these services. Historically, this is the preferred avenue to choose because of limited City personnel and the intricacies involved in the design and installation of a secure additional funding for these services. Historically, this is the preferred avenue to choose because of limited City personnel and the intricacies involved in the design and installation of a telecommunication system of this magnitude. The TIPS Section will adhere to deadlines mutually agreed upon to ensure the completion of this project on time. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the Administration and City Attorney's Office to take the following actions with regard to the telecommunications system at the Miami Beach Convention Center: 1. Terminate the current Agreement between the City and National Data and Communications, Inc. (National Data), the City's current telecommunications vendor at MBCC; said Agreement's initial term and option term having expired and currently proceeding under a month-to-month extension, pursuant to Resolution No_ 94-21263; 2. Concurrent with the termination of the aforestated Agreement with National Data, the Administration and SMG, as the City's manager and agent at MBCC, are authorized to negotiate a smooth transition period, to ensure that the present telecommunications services at MBCC remain uninterrupted and that any potential disruption as to current and future exhibitors at MBCC is minimized; 3. SMG is authorized to contract directly with an interim service provider(s)/vendor(s) for telecommunications services at MBCC, said services including, but not limited to, wire telephone service, wireless telephone service, and connections for high speed data and internet access; said interim services for the period following termination of the National Data Agreement, through the installation of a new permanent telecommunications system by the City; 4) The City Manager, pursuant to the powers delegated to him in Chapter II, Article VI of the Miami Beach City Code, entitled "Procurement", is authorized to negotiate and contract with the State of Florida PRE-QUALIFIED contract vendors for the design, procurement, implementation and installation of a new telecommunications system at MBCC, encompassing voice, data, video, imaging and RF radio services; and 5) Further the Administration and City Attorney's Office are authorized to take any and all related actions to facilitate the transition from National Data, to an interim supplier/vendor, and, finally, toward the installation of a new permanent telecommunications system at MBCC. ~ LAL/MDBIRA/RPIMKR Attachments ~ CITY OF MIAMI BEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMlVIISSION l\'IE MORAND UIH s . - -..: 1.::) \,;J c::: r=i (""') ......., , - TO: LA WRENCE A. LEVY CITY MANAGER ';::::: :::::. ..... ~ -1 ." , . -' -0 -' .- ; SIMON CRUZ COMMISSIONE - FROM: <J ~ ~ .r:- ~-. DATE: ~. - ~ ~ DECEMBER 17, 1999 RE: CONVENTION CENTER It has come to my attention that, during last week's Bank Administration Institute conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the City suffered gross embarrassment due to the inability of the current telecommunications vendor to satisfactorily supply connections to exhibitors for high speed data and internet. This failure on the part of this vendor not only embarrassed us in the eyes of this very high impact client, but also affected such major exhibitors as l\'licrosoft, Hewlett Packard, Sun Microsystems, and other high tech companies which comprise the leading edge in the industry and provide lucrative opportunities for future business meetings here in l\'liami beach. It is my understanding that this vendor remains at the facility on a month to month contract, with such arrangement being in place for nearly sil: years. The city's inability to move forward with an acceptable alternative to the current status on this concession has created this situation. Not only has this caused possible loss of revenues to the city, but is has also compromised services provided to our convention center users. It is imperative that we move forward as quickly as possible to provide both short term and long term answers for this grave problem. I would request that the Administration place this item for discussion on the Commission Agenda for January~2000, and that it immediately take steps, along with Sl\'IG, in putting forth an expedient solution. SC/ml ,q <t GCJ &0?>