20140519Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:GRACE SEAMAN
DATE:MAY 16,2014
RE:IDAHO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE CONTRACT
EXTENSION WITH HAMILTON TELECOMMUNICATIONS;
CASE NO.GNR-T-lO-05.
BACKGROUND
On September 22,2010,the Commission authorized the Idaho Telephone Relay Service
(TRS)Administrator,Bob Dunbar,to enter into a three-year contract with Hamilton
Telecommunications as the service provider tbr the relay service in Idaho.The Commission
approved-agreement included an initial three-year contract with the option for three one-year
extensions.See Order No.32069.The three-year contract expired on December 1,2013 and
was renewed for 12 months at a higher rate of$l .99 per conversation minute for both the
traditional and captioned telephone service.See August 6,2013 letter to Robert Dunbar.
The TRS Administrator is responsible for evaluating and making recommendations for
the Commission pursuant to Idaho Code §61-1303(1)(b).On May 6,the Administrator received
a letter from Hamilton giving notice of its desire to let the current Idaho Relay Service
Agreement automatically renew for an additional 12 month period pursuant to Section 3.0 of the
contract.The current contract expires on November 30.2014.With this renewal,1-lamilton
proposes to maintain the current rate ofS 1.99 per conversation minute.The TRS Administrator
recommends extending the contract for an additional year based on the high level of satisfaction
with the TRS services provided by Hamilton at a competitive rate.
DECISION MEMORANDUM -I -MAY 16,2014
STAFF ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed Hamilton’s proposal and the Administrator’s recommendation.The
contract extension becomes effective on December 1,2014 and expires on November 30,2015.
Staff believes 1-lamilton provides quality service to Idaho relay users and supports the
Administrator’s recommendation to enter into a second one-year contract extension at the current
rate of $1.99 per conversation minute for traditional relay and CapTel service.Staff,therefore,
recommends that the Commission authorize the TRS Administrator to allow the current contract
to automatically renew for a one-year period at the current rate.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission agree?
CuU
Grace Seaman
udmemos/2()14 Contract Extension dee memo
DECISION MEMORANDUM -2-MAY 16,2014