ITEM________

DATA COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE

PERTINENT FACTS:

At its February 11, 1999 meeting, the Board of Regents approved an upgrade to the University’s data communications infrastructure for an amount not to exceed $3.2 million. The purpose of the upgrade was to provide dedicated 100 Mbps connectivity to all desktops and dorm rooms. The cost estimates for the project were based on using equipment, wiring, closets, and non-plenum wiring similar to what had been used in other projects on campus.

After the Board had approved the project, the University became aware of additional state requirements for wiring closets as well as plenum wiring (which costs 2.5 times non-plenum wiring) that materially affected the cost of the project. In addition, the contractor significantly raised the cost of the second phase of the project based on his experience during the first phase. And finally, a second core switch was added to the project to protect the campus in case one switch goes down. There were other less significant changes; however, all of the above led to a higher cost for the project.

In order to complete the project an additional $900,000 may be required which would be paid from Institutional Reserves. If the Board approves the additional amount, then the project must also be submitted to the Coordinating Board for approval.

RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS:

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve raising the expenditure limit on the data communications infrastructure upgrade project by $900,000.

This item was approved