Title
Affordable Connectivity Program Outreach Services Contract Award and Citywide Wireless Network Project Intergovernmental Agreement Amendment (Ordinance S-49560)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to contract with Common Sense Media to provide Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) outreach services and amend Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) 154496 with Phoenix Union High School District, its participating public elementary feeder schools and Maricopa County Community Colleges District, to reallocate $1 million from the Phoenix Digital Education Connection Canopy (PHX DECC) project to ACP outreach services. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to receive, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding was available through the City’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received from the federal government and was under the Citywide Wireless Network Project and Partnership with Phoenix Union program.
Report
Summary
Through multiple actions, the City Council has committed resources to bridging the digital divide for Phoenix residents. In 2020, work began on the Phoenix Digital Education Connection Canopy (PHX DECC) to provide home internet access to students in the Phoenix Union High School District and its feeder elementary school districts. Evaluation of the Proof of Concept area is currently underway to determine best practices for expansion.
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been identified as a companion tool for bridging the digital divide for eligible Phoenix residents in areas with broadband service but who lack the financial resources to secure internet service. The ACP provides eligible residents with a monthly $30 discount for internet service with any participating broadband provider and a one-time $100 discount for a laptop or computer. Eligible residents have household incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line or participation in any of the following programs: Federal Public Housing Assistance; Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Programs; Medicaid; Pell Grant; Social Security Income; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. Phoenix is estimated to have nearly 200,000 households that are eligible for but not participating in ACP.
Common Sense Media is dedicated to helping children and youth thrive in an ever-evolving world of media and technology. In 2022, this nonprofit launched a 12-week advertising campaign to raise awareness about the ACP benefits in Maricopa County, which contributed to more than 50,000 new enrollments in Arizona. Common Sense Media was selected through a Sole Source Determination due to its unique qualifications as the only entity to have performed ACP outreach services in Phoenix and have the necessary infrastructure to continue this important work. If approved, the City will contract with Common Sense Media to implement an ACP outreach program to include:
- Conducting a bilingual awareness campaign through traditional and social media outlets;
- Organizing and staffing outreach events and application labs;
- Assisting Phoenix residents submitting an ACP application;
- Staffing a 24-hour/7-day call center to assist individuals completing their own applications;
- Collaborating with City-approved community-based organizations to leverage their connections to eligible Phoenix residents; and
- Report outcomes as required.
Earlier this year, City Council authorized contracting with up to 20 community and education-based organizations as outreach partners to connect their networks to ACP information and application assistance. As part of this overall effort, staff will be working to execute these contracts in the coming months.
The City's IGA with the PHX DECC partners will be amended to reduce the City's commitment by $1 million to fund these ACP outreach services. Through the reallocation of these funds, more Phoenix residents will be connected with internet service more quickly while PHX DECC infrastructure is constructed to serve residents in those areas of the community that do not have reliable broadband service.
Contract Term
If approved, the two-year contract will begin in May 2023 and end in April 2025.
Financial Impact
Total funding for this contract will not exceed $1 million. There is no impact to the General Fund as this funding was available through the City's allocation of ARPA funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
City Council took action on the PHX DECC on May 14, 2020, Dec. 16, 2020, Sept. 15, 2021, June 7, 2022, and July 1, 2022. On Feb. 15, 2023, City Council authorized staff to apply for the FCC ACP Outreach Grant and implement an outreach plan if awarded.
Location
Council Districts: Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Interim Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Community and Economic Development Department.