OIT Telecommunications
Network Contract Management Services procures computer network-delivered information services, including but not limited to, voice, data, and video cloud services for state and local government. The unit assists DAS in superintending service providers’ contracted services under ORC 125.04. By combining all the service needs of Ohio’s public agencies, Network Contracts lowers or avoids rising costs of telecommunications and cloud computing delivery for governments, schools, libraries, and higher education institutions.
Contact Information
For more information please contact one of the following people:
Telecommunication Service Request (TSR)
Technology Service Request (TSR)- The TSR system is a menu driven, web-based application that allows agencies to request telecommunications services. The system initiates email notification of pending orders to on-line service providers. The service providers supply feedback on-line that facilitates collaboration among vendors.
Miscellaneous Instructions
Procurement
Any agency interested in procuring a new telecommunications service should review the following information to learn how OIT can assist them in this process.
Procurement Methods - OH*IP Procurement NextGen Services
Agencies have the right to buy telecommunications utilities at tariff rates or under OIT contracts. There are advantages to contracted services, as outlined below.
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Tariffed Services
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Contracted Services
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Rates and charges established in tariff and can be changed by service provider with regulatory approval.
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Rates and charges established in contract and expire at the end of the term. Rates are normally ½ of tariff rates. |
Service dependent on tariff language:
- Criteria based on what is important to vendor & regulatory agency
- Credits given for outages
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Service negotiated in contract with a service level agreement:
- Criteria based on what’s important to the customer
- Credits and penalties are based on what is important to the customer and can be negotiated
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| Service compliance managed by filing complaints. |
Service compliance managed by DAS and there are penalties for failure to meet. |
DAS Network Contract Management Services
Following are the responsibilities of the OIT Telecommunications Contract Management team.
| Consult |
Consultation on telecommunications needs and participate in IT planning |
| Technical Expertise |
Provide technical expertise for procurement process to OIT and customers |
| Service Level Agreements |
Develop service level agreements with performance measurements/penalties for contracts |
| Contract Language |
Work with legal counsel in development of contract language |
| Negotiate |
Negotiate contracts with vendors |
| Contract Compliance |
Monitor contract compliance and take appropriate actions upon non-compliance |
| Record |
When possible, maintain a database of all expenditures from each contract |
| Report |
Report all performance measurements |
| Liaison |
Liaison between the vendor and management |
Sample Master Service Agreement (MSA) (.pdf)