County to upgrade Wi-Fi across county facilities with $3.5M contract

NORRISTOWN >> Officials have authorized a $3.58 million contract to revamp internet accessibility in Montgomery County facilities.

The $3,586,121 agreement between the Montgomery County Department of Information and Technology Services and King of Prussia-based ePlus Technologies, Inc. supplied “equipment and installation services” to conduct a “countywide Wi-Fi infrastructure upgrade” of county buildings and facilities. The services were provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program, according to the contract.

The multimillion technology contract was one of more than a dozen others approved during the Oct. 6 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting. Totaling more than $5.3 million, the contracts applied to several county departments including Public Safety, Purchasing and Health and Human Services.

A nearly $600,000 information technology contract was renewed for the fourth time. The $598,210 contract with Crown Castle Fiber, of Warrington, work for “dark fiber connectivity” and internet service provider services across Montgomery County. The initial fiveyear agreement stipulated five optional one-year renewal terms, according to the contract.

A $420,000 agreement between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and Eagleville Hospital, of Eagleville provided a “24-hour screening, assessment, and referral site for Montgomery County individuals in need of substance use treatment.”

The suburban treatment center, located at 100 Eagleville Road, in Eagleville, was the sole respondent to

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a request for proposals, according to the contract. The county health department’s Drug and Alcohol division endorsed the action as the “only responding provider who has met all qualifications.”

Financially, the threeyear term costs $140,000 per year, according to the contract.

Additionally, a $200,000 contract with Johnson, Mirmiran, Thompson Inc., of Hunt Valley, Maryland, offered consulting services so the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety can implement a Geographic Information System.

The protocol, identified through the “National Emergency Number Association” would incorporate “compliant address points, street centerlines (and) best practice documentation” in order to “finalize web tools used for address validations in Montgomery County.”

A request for proposals previously published online netted two responses and 51 views from companies, according to the contract. The county public safety department endorsed the Maryland firm.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 20 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, located at 425 Swede St., in Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. Visit montcopa.org for more information.