It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the award of a contract to the following firms for technology cabling needs  required by the Information Technology Department and other departments: Structured Cabling Solutions, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as the primary vendor; 4 Best Business Corp., the second lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as the secondary vendor; and Unitec, Inc., the third lowest responsive, and responsible bidder, as the tertiary vendor.

The purpose of the ITB is to establish a contract, by means of sealed bids, with qualified bidders to furnish and install technology cabling required for the City's data, video, and voice infrastructure, often referred to as structured cabling.  The services are required for maintenance and repair of the existing infrastructure, as well as new installations and enhancements relating to capital projects or renovations, including GO Bond projects.

The City’s current contract for cabling services, pursuant to ITB 2015-203-AK, was extended on a month-to-month basis before its expiration on January 14, 2021.  This ITB was issued to establish a replacement contract for the required services. The City is seeking to establish these services for a three (3) year term period, with two (2) one (1) year options to renew.

The ITB was issued on March 15, 2021, with bid opening date of April 22, 2021. 128 prospective bidders accessed the advertised solicitation. The notices resulted in the receipt of six (6) responses from: 4 Best Business Corp., draftPros, LLC, Miami Business Telephones, Corp., Structured Cabling Solutions, Inc., Tropical Communications, Inc., and Unitec, Inc. A tabulation of bids received is included in Attachment A.

The ITB stated that the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s) meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB would be recommended for award. Staff has verified that the three (3) lowest responsive and responsible bidders, Structured Cabling Solutions, 4 Best Business Corp., and Unitec, comply with the requirements of the ITB.

Staff performed a pricing analysis to determine the cost-effectiveness of the bids received. Overall, the line item prices offered by Structured Cabling Solutions are more cost-effective, in varying degrees depending on the needs of each specific situation, than the pricing pursuant to the current contract. Additionally, the pricing offered by the secondary and tertiary recommended bidders are also more cost-effective than the current contract.

Structured Cabling Solutions

Structured Cabling Solutions was founded in 1999 and is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) infrastructure Systems Integrator. The company is headquartered in Miami, FL, with branch locations throughout Central Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.   Structured Cabling is the incumbent and has provided structured cabling services to the City since 2015. The Information Technology, Police, and Property Management Departments have all provided positive feedback for the performance of Structured Cabling under the current contract.

4 Best Business

4BB Corp has been serving commercial and federal clients since 2003, providing IT professional services, staffing, project consulting, and ground services to private businesses and government agencies. The firm’s goal is to provide enterprise-level practices and solutions to all sectors. Its experience has allowed the company to build and develop the infrastructure needed to keep prices affordable and clients satisfied.  4BB Corp is one of the City’s vendors for temporary staffing services under contract No. 20-055-01.  References received from other agencies that have utilized the cabling services from the firm are positive.

Unitec

Unitec is an established South Florida telecommunications construction firm. The company provides the necessary construction required on projects for small and large businesses alike, as well as multi-dwelling projects. Whether the project relates to storm damage control or high-speed communication, Unitec covers the gamut of telecommunications construction at every level. References received from other agencies that have utilized the cabling services from the firm are positive.

Not applicable.

Over the last several years, the expenditures for the services for general operational needs (e.g., repairs, maintenance, re-cabling, etc.), primarily as managed by the IT Department, have averaged approximately $200,000. However, the services are also needed for specific projects, including capital and GO Bond projects, and would be funded out of each project's budget. 

I recommend that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida approve the award of a contract to furnish and install structured cabling required for the City's telecommunications infrastructure needs to the following firms: Structured Cabling Solutions, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as the primary vendor; 4 Best Business Corp., the second lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as the secondary vendor; and Unitec, Inc., the third lowest responsive, and responsible bidder, as the tertiary vendor.