20160617Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:GRACE SEAMAN
DATE:JUNE 17,2016
RE:2016 IDAHO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL SERVICE AWARD AND CONTRACT;CASE NO.
GNR-T-16-06.
BACKGROUND
The Idaho Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)was established in 1992 pursuant to
Title IV of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA),and 47 C.F.R.64.601(7).The ADA
provision established the requirements to provide access for a communications-impaired person
to send and receive messages to and from a non-communications-impaired person.The Idaho
legislature authorized the Commission to appoint a TRS Administrator to coordinate TRS
services in Idaho Code §61-1301.Idaho Code §61-1303 outlines the responsibilities of the
TRS Administrator.These responsibiLities include:(1)consult with and receive
recommendations from the advisory committee,or a representative thereof,appointed by the
commission pursuant to Idaho Code 61-1 306;(2)issue a request for proposals (RFP)to
providers of message relay services requesting responsive proposals to provide such services as
may be necessary for the program;(3)evaluate the responsive proposals and recommend one (1)
or more proposals to the commission for its review and approval;and (4)enter into a contract
with the provider of TRS,which contract and provider have been approved by the commission.
THE 2016 TRS RIP
Hamilton Relay,Inc.fica Hamilton Telephone Company dba Hamilton
Telecommunications (“Hamilton”)is Idaho’s current TRS service provider.Hamilton’s contract
expires on December 1,2016.Consequently,the TRS Administrator,Mr.Bob Dunbar,prepared
DECISION MEMORANDUM -1 -JUNE 17,2016
an REP approved by the Commission.The REP was released on May 2,2016 with a response
due date of June 1,2016.In the REP,sen’ice providers were required to submit costs for a fixed
rate three-year service contract with the option for three one-year extensions.Only one company
responded to the RFP;Hamilton Relay,Inc.
Following the approval of the REP and pursuant to Rule 103.IDAPA 3 1.46.02,a TRS
Advisory Committee (“the Committee”)was formed to assist the Administrator in the
assessment of the REP response.Hamilton’s response and the evaluation is explained in more
detail below.
REP RESPONSE AND EVALUATION
Hamilton’s response contained a fixed 36-month rate of $2.75 per conversation minute
(an increase of 5.46 per minute over the current rate)for basic relay service.Hamilton also
submitted a rate of 52.22 per conversation minute (an increase of 5.07 per minute)for Captioned
Telephone (CapTel)service.Hamilton’s rates include all necessary equipment and personnel to
provide the services outlined in the REP.
Mr.Dunbar reviewed Hamilton’s response and determined that the Company complied
with all requirements stated in the RFP.1-le then presented his evaluation to the Committee
during a conference call on June 14,2016.The Administrator and the Committee members
unanimously agreed that 1-lamilton should be awarded the REP.Thus,Mr.Dunbar submitted a
letter recommending that the Commission award the 2016 RFP to Hamilton.
STAFF ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the REP response analysis and recommendation presented by the
Administrator.Also,upon review of the current TRS fund balance,the proposed rate increases
will not require any adjustments to the 2016 funding.Staff believes Hamilton has provided
excellent service to Idaho relay users.Staff recommends Commission approve the
Administrator’s recommendation to award the 2016 REP service contract to Hamilton at the
proposed rates and direct Mr.Dunbar to begin negotiations to secure a contract with Hamilton
Relay,Inc.effective December 1,2016.
DECISION MEMORANDUM -2-JUNE 17,2016
COMMESSION DECISION
Does the Commission agree?
icC€
Grace Seaman
Udmenios/n rip award
DECISION MEMORANDUM -3 -JUNE 17,2016