Laserfiche WebLink
<br />cc +fA-ndOf~ 3/d/os <br />~escheloIr <br /> <br />March 31,2003 <br /> <br />telecom, inc. <br /> <br />Mayor Stephanie Klinzing and City Council Members <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Stephanie Klinzing and City Council Members: <br /> <br />This letter is to document the discrepancies in the RFP process for the IP-based communications <br />system requirements proposed by the City of Elk River. Eschelon Telecom, Inc. went through the <br />bidding process in good faith, meeting the technical and company specifications contained in the RFP <br />delivered by Bob Pearson at the City of Elk River. The discrepancy occurred in the areas of price and <br />technical functionality. <br /> <br />As an organization that has worked with many cities, Eschelon Telecom, Inc. understands the need to <br />conserve finances. It has become even more evident with the current state of the economy and war <br />with Iraq. We have gained our understanding by working and maintaining cities such as City of <br />Bloomington, City of Savage, City of Eden Prairie and City of Brooklyn Center. With this in mind, it came <br />as a large surprise that the City of Elk River was planning to implement a system that did not meet the <br />public RFP specifications and was substantially more in price. <br /> <br />As we looked at the content of the RFP, there was a need for the City of Elk River to be a leader in <br />technology. The need for technology was not to be on the bleeding edge, but to put in a system that <br />would allow the functions as defined in the RFP. Some of these functions induded simple station <br />moves, increased functionality not accomplished with digital technology and support for fixed/mobile <br />teleworker applications. Having participated in the bidding process as well as attending the pre-bid <br />meeting, these requirements were made evident when a question had been asked by one of the <br />bidders about the possible use of digital telephones. Bob Pearson responded to this inquiry by stating <br />that digital telephones would not be accepted, only IP and analog telephones. With this in mind, <br />Eschelon Telecom, Inc. does not see the reasoning behind the City of Elk River going with a system <br />that does not meet the requirements stated in the RFP at a higher cost. <br /> <br />All of the bidders that participated in the process could have met the requirements of the city in regards <br />to the service needed. However, Eschelon Telecom, Inc. believes that it stands alone with it's service <br />level guarantees and city experience. If the city has decided to change the technical specifications in <br />the RFP by which it is judging all vendors, then Eschelon would like the opportunity to propose a <br />solution based on them. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />--------- <br /> <br />Frank Millo <br />BTS Sales Manager <br />Eschelon Telecom, Inc. <br /> <br />r' <br /> <br />6160 Golden Hills Drive · Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416 · Telephone: 763-745-8000 · Facsimile: 763-553-2724 <br /> <br />voice data internet <br />