Staff Recommendation

Approve decision to sign a three-year contract with NuVox Communications to provide internet service

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MPC?s current internet service provider (XXpansion Networks ? formerly Esper) has become unreliable over the past few months causing periods where email and web are inaccessible; the quality of service is not expected to improve. XXpansion has been serving Knox County, Register of Deeds, and KGIS as well as MPC; all of which are planning to change or have changed service providers. PBA is also in the process of changing and will likely choose the company providing Internet at all Knox County Schools locations, Educational Network Associates (ENA). Knox County selected ENA as well through a recent bid process. KGIS and Register of Deeds are planning to change their providers in the near future. Staff from MPC and these agencies have been collaborating on the selection of a new provider in an attempt to attain the best possible price and service contract.

MPC technical staff has researched the options and recommends NuVox Communications as the cheapest and best alternative at approximately $450 per month based on a three year contract with a six month guaranty period. Currently MPC is spending about $150 for service from XXpansion and Bell South. Our current budget estimated $290 month for internet provider service, so NuXox would be about $2,000 more than budgeted for this current fiscal year.

Below is a list of the local government pending choices:

Knox County ENA $600+ mo
PBA ENA $600+ mo
Register of Deeds Bell South $560 mo
KGIS NuVox Comm. $450 mo
MPC NuVox Comm $450 mo

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Disposition Summary

Approve decision to sign a three-year contract with NuVox Communications to provide internet service