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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH2M HILL INC WIRELESS CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT 1 WIRELESS CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made as of the /61 day of ~2007, by and between CH2MHILL Inc., a Florida corporation, with its place o~ess at 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, CO 80112 ("CONSULTANT") and Augusta, Georgia, a political subdivision of the State of Georgia, with its place of business at 530 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30911 ("CLIENT"). This contract will operate in accordance with the Firm's response to Augusta, GA RFP #07-101. In case of conflict between the final RFP response and this contract, this contract shall supersede all previous or contemporaneous negotiations, commitments, and writings with respect to matters set forth herein. It may only be modified in writing and must be signed by authorized representatives of both parties. NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES CONSULTANT will perform the Scope of Services set forth in Attachment A. ARTICLE 2. COMPENSATION CLIENT will compensate CONSULTANT as set forth in Attachment B. Work performed under this AGREEMENT may be performed using labor from affiliated companies of CONSULTANT. Such labor will be billed to CLIENT under the same billing terms applicable to CONSULTANT's employees. ARTICLE 3. TERMS OF PAYMENT CLIENT will pay CONSULT ANT as follows: 3.1 Invoices and Time of Payment CONSULTANT will issue monthly invoices pursuant to Attachment B when individual tasks are 100% complete. Invoices are due and payable within thirty (30) days of receipt. 3.2 Interest 3.2.1 CLIENT will be charged interest at the rate of 1-112% per month, or that permitted by law if lesser, on all past-due amounts starting sixty (60) days after receipt ofinvoice. Payments will first be credited to interest and then to principal. 3.2.2 In the event of a disputed billing, only the disputed portion will be withheld from payment, and CLIENT shall pay the undisputed portion. CLIENT will exercise reasonableness in disputing any bill or portion thereof. No interest will accrue on any disputed portion of the billing until mutually resolved. 2 3.2.3 If CLIENT fails to make payment in full within sixty (60) days of the date due for any undisputed billing, CONSULTANT may, after giving 7 days' written notice to CLIENT, suspend services under this AGREEMENT until paid in full, including interest. In the event of suspension of services, CONSULTANT will have no liability to CLIENT for delays or damages caused by CLIENT because of such suspension. ARTICLE 4. OBLIGATIONS OF CONSULTANT 4.1 Standard of Care The standard of care applicable to CONSULTANT's Services will be the degree of sill and diligence normally employed by professional consultants performing the same or similar Services at the time said services are performed. CONSULTANT will reperform any services not meeting this standard without additional compensation. 4.2 Opinions of Cost, Financial Considerations, and Schedules In providing opinions of cost, financial analyses, economic feasibility projections, and schedules for the PROJECT, CONSULTANT has no control over cost or price oflabor and materials; unknown or latent conditions of existing equipment or structures that may affect operation or maintenance costs; competitive bidding procedures and market conditions; time or quality of performance by operating personnel or third parties; and other economic and operational factors that may materially affect the ultimate PROJECT cost or schedule. Therefore, CONSULTANT makes no warranty that CLIENT's actual PROJECT costs, financial aspects, economic feasibility, or schedules will not vary from CONSULTANT's opinions, analyses, projections, or estimates. If CLIENT wishes greater assurance as to any element of PROJECT cost, feasibility, or schedule, CLIENT will employ an independent cost estimator, contractor, or other appropriate advisor 4.3 Record Drawings Record drawings, if required, will be prepared, in part, on the basis of information compiled and furnished by others, and may not always represent the exact location, type of various components, or exact manner in which the PROJECT was finally constructed. CONSULTANT is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information from others that is incorporated into the record drawings. 4.4 Access to CONSULTANT's Accounting Records CONSULTANT will maintain accounting records in accordance will generally accepted accounting principles. These records will be available to CLIENT during CONSULTANT's normal business hours for a period of one (1) year after CONSULTANT's final invoice for examination to the extent required to verify the direct costs (excluding established or standard allowances and rates) incurred hereunder. CLIENT may only audit accounting records applicable to cost-reimbursable type compensation. 3 4.5 CONSUL T ANT's Insurance CONSULTANT will maintain throughout this AGREEMENT the following insurance: (a) Worker's compensation and employer's liability insurance as required by the state of Georgia. (b) Comprehensive automobile and vehicle liability insurance covering claims for injuries to members ofthe public and/or damages to property of others arising from use of motor vehicles, including onsite and offsite operations, and owned, nonowned, or hired vehicles, with $1,000,000 combined single limits. (c) Commercial general liability insurance covering claims for injuries to members of the public or damage to property of others arising out of any covered negligent act or omission of CONSULTANT or of any of its employees, agent, or subcontractors, with $1,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate. (d) Professional liability insurance of $1 ,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate. (e) CLIENT will be named as an additional insured with respect to CONSULTANT's liabilities hereunder in insurance coverages identified in items (b) and (c) and CONSULTANT waives subrogation against CLIENT as to said policies. ARTICLE 5. OBLIGATIONS OF CLIENT 5.1 CLIENT - Furnished Data CLIENT will provide CONSULTANT all data in CLIENT's possession relating to CONSULTANT's services on the PROJECT. CONSULTANT will reasonably rely upon the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of information provided by CLIENT. 5.2 Access to Facilities and Property CLIENT will make its facilities accessible to CONSULTANT as required for CONSULTANT's performance of its services and will provide labor and safety equipment as required by CONSULTANT for such access. CLIENT will perform, at no cost to CONSULTANT, such tests 0 equipment, machinery, pipelines, and other components of CLIENT's facilities as may reasonably be required in connection with CONSULTANT's services. 5.3 Advertisements, Permits, and Access Unless otherwise agreed to in the Scope of Services, CLIENT will obtain, arrange, and pay for all advertisements for bids; permits and licenses required by local, state, or federal authorities; and land easements, rights-of-way, and access necessary for CONSULTANT's services or PROJECT construction. 4 5.4 Timely Review CLIENT will examine CONSULTANT's studies, reports, sketches, drawings, specifications, proposals, and other documents; obtain advice of an attorney, insurance counselor, accountant, auditor, bond and financial advisors, and other consultants as CLIENT deems appropriate; and render in writing decisions required by CLIENT in a timely manner. 5.5 Prompt Review CLIENT will give prompt written notice to CONSULTANT whenever CLIENT observes or becomes aware of any development that affects the scope or timing of CONSUT ANT's Services, or of any defect in the work of CONSULTANT or construction contractors. 5.6 Contractor Indemnification and Claims CLIENT agrees to include the following clause in all contracts to construction contractors, and equipment or materials suppliers: "Contractors, subcontractors, and equipment and material suppliers on the PROJECT, or their sureties, shall maintain no direct action against CONSULTANT, CONSULTANT's officers, employees, affiliated corporations, and subcontractors for any claim arising out of, in connection with, or resulting from the consulting services performed. CLIENT will be the only beneficiary of any undertaking by CONSULTANT." 5.7 CLIENT's Insurance 5.7.1 CLIENT will maintain property insurance on all pre-existing physical facilities associated in any way with the PROJECT. 5.7.2 CLIENT will provide for a waiver of subrogation as to all CLIENT -carried property damage insurance, during construction and thereafter, in favor of CONSULTANT, CONSULTANT's officers, employees, affiliates, and subcontractors. 5.8 Litigation Assistance The Scope of Services does not include costs of CONSUL T ANT for required or requested assistance to support, prepare, document, bring, defend, or assist in litigation undertaken or defended by CLIENT. All such Services required or requested of CONSULTANT by CLIENT, except for suits or claims between the parties to this AGREEMENT, will be reimbursed as mutually agreed. 5.9 Changes CLIENT may make or approve changes within the general Scope of Services in this AGREEMENT. If such changes affect CONSULTANT's cost of or time required for performance of the services, an equitable adjustment will be made through an amendment to this AGREEMENT. 5 ARTICLE 6. GENERAL LEGAL PROVISIONS 6.1 Authorization to Proceed Execution of this AGREEMENT by CLIENT will be authorization for CONSULTANT to proceed with the work, unless otherwise provided for in this AGREEMENT. 6.2 Reuse of PROJECT Documents All reports, drawings, specifications, documents, and other deliverables of CONSULTANT, whether in hard copy or in electronic form, are instruments of service for this PROJECT, whether the PROJECT is completed or not. CLIENT agrees to indemnify CONSULTANT and CONSULTANT's officers, employees, subcontractors, and affiliated corporations from all claims, damages, losses, and costs, including, but not limited to, litigation expenses and attorney's fees arising out of or related to the unauthorized reuse, change or alteration or these PROJECT documents. 6.3 Force Majeure Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party hereto for loss or damage arising out of any delay or failure by such party in performing its obligations hereunder, if such delay or failure was the unavoidable consequence of a natural disaster, exercise of governmental power, strike or other labor disturbance, war, revolution, embargo, insurrection, operation of military forces, or other event or condition beyond the control of such party; provided that such party notifies the other party of its inability to perform and the reasons therefore, with reasonable promptness; and performs its obligations hereunder as soon as circumstances permit. Each of the parties hereto agrees to give notice forthwith to the other upon becoming aware of an Event of Force Majeure such notice to contain details of the circumstances giving rise to the Event of Force Majeure. If a default due to an Event of Force Majeure shall continue for more than three (3) months, the party not in default shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement as a result of an Event of Force Majeure. 6.4 Limitation of Liability 6.4.1 To the maximum extent permitted by law, CONSULTANT's liability for CLIENT's damages will not, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000,000. 6.4.2 This article takes precedence over any conflicting article of this AGREEMENT or any document incorporated into it or referenced by it. 6.4.3 This limitation ofliability will apply whether CONSULTANT's liability arises under breach of contract or warranty; tort; including negligence; strict liability; statutory liability; or any other cause of action, and shall include CONSULTANT's officers, affiliated corporations, employees, and subcontractors. 6 6.5 Termination 6.5.1 This AGREEMENT may be terminated for convenience on sixty (60) days' written notice or for cause if either party fails substantially to perform through no fault of the other and does not commence correction of such nonperformance within fifteen (15) days of written notice and diligently complete the correction thereafter. 6.5.2 On termination, CONSULTANT will be paid for all authorized services performed up to the termination date. 6.6 Suspension, Delay, or Interruption of Work CLIENT may suspend, delay, or interrupt the Services of CONSULTANT for the convenience of CLIENT. In such event, CONSULTANT's contract price and schedule shall be equitably adjusted. 6.7 No Third-Party Beneficiaries This AGREEMENT gives no rights or benefits to anyone other than CLIENT and CONSULTANT and has no third-party beneficiaries. 6.8 Indemnification 6.8.1 CONSULTANT agrees to indemnify CLIENT for any claims, damages, losses, and costs, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees and litigation costs, arising out of claims by third parties for property damage or bodily injury, including death, to the proportionate extent caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of CONSULTANT, CONSULTANT's employees, affiliated corporations, and subcontractors in connections with the PROJECT. 6.8.2 CLIENT agrees to indemnify CONSULTANT from any claims, damages, losses, and costs, including but not limited to, attorney's fees and litigation costs, arising out of claims by third parties for property damage or bodily injury, including death, to the proportionate extent caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of CLIENT, or its employees or contractors in connection with the PROJECT. 6.9 Assignment This is a bilateral personal Services AGREEMENT. Neither party shall have the power to or will assign any of the duties or rights or any claim arising out of or related to this AGREEMENT, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, without the written consent of the other party. Any unauthorized assignment is void and unenforceable. These conditions and the entire AGREEMENT are binding on the heirs, successors, and assigns of the parties hereto. 6.10 Consequential Damages To the maximum extent permitted by law, CONSULTANT and CONSULTANT's affiliated corporations, officers, employees, and subcontractors shall not be liable for CLIENT's special, indirect, or consequential damages, whether such damages arise out of breach of contract or 7 warranty, tort including negligence, strict or statutory liability, or any other cause or action. In order to protect CONSULT ANT against indirect liability or third-party proceedings, CLIENT will indemnify CONSULTANT for any such damages. 6.11 Waiver CLIENT waives all claims against CONSULTANT including those for latent defects, that are not brought within two (2) years of final payment to CONSULTANT. 6.12 Jurisdiction This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. All claims, disputes and other matters in question between CLIENT and CONSULTANT arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be decided in the Superior Court of Richmond County, Georgia. CONSULTANT, by executing this Agreement, specifically consents to venue and jurisdiction in Richmond County, Georgia and waives any right to contest jurisdiction and venue in said Court. 6.13 Severability and Survival 6.13.1 If any of the Provisions contained in this AGREEMENT are held for any reason to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be impaired thereby. 6.13.2 Limitations of liability, indemnities, and other express representations shall survIve termination of this AGREEMENT for any cause. 6.14 CONSULTANT's Deliverables CONSULTANT's deliverables, including record drawings, are limited to the sealed and signed hard copies. Computer-generated drawing files furnished by CONSULT ANT are for CLIENT or others' convenience. Any conclusions or information derived or obtained from these files will be at user's sole risk. 6.15 Dispute Resolution The parties will use their best efforts to resolve amicably any dispute, including use of alternative dispute resolution options. 6.16 Ownership of Work Product and Inventions All of the work product of the CONSULTANT in executing this PROJECT shall remain the property of CONSUL T ANT. CLIENT shall receive a perpetual, royalty-free, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use the deliverables for the purpose for which they were intended. Any invention, patents, copyrights, computer software, or other intellectual property developed during the course of, or as a result of, the PROJECT shall remain the property of the CONSULTANT. The originals to: IT Director Copies to: 530 Greene Street, A-101 Augusta, GA 30911 ATTN: TamekaAllen Title: IT Director Telephone: 706.821.2522 Fax Number: 706.821.2530 City Administrator 530 Greene Street, Room 801 Augusta, GA 30911 A TTN: Fred Russell Title: City Administrator Telephone: 706.821.2400 6.17 Employees During the term of this AGREEMENT and for a period of one year after completion of the PROJECT, neither party shall hire any employee of the other party without the prior written consent of both parties. 6.18 Open Records CONSULTANT acknowledges that this Agreement and certain documentation may be subject to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. S 50-18-70, et seq.) CONSULTANT shall cooperate fully in responding to such request and shall make all records, not exempt, available for inspection and copying as required by law. CONSULTANT shall clearly mark any information provided to CLIENT which the CLIENT contends is Proprietary or Confidential Information. Proprietary or Confidential information of the CONSULTANT is to be protected from public release if at all possible. CONSULTANT shall notify CLIENT immediately of any Open Records request arising out of this contract and shall provide to CLIENT a copy of any response to the same. 6.19 Notices All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be duly given if delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the respective addresses of the parties appearing on page one of this Agreement. Any notice given shall be deemed to have been received on the date, which it is delivered if delivered personally, or, if mailed, on the fifth business day next following the mailing thereof. Either party may change its address for notices by giving notice of such change as required in this Section. IT Assistant Director 530 Greene Street, A-101 Augusta, GA 30911 A TTN: Gary Hewett Title: IT Assistant Director Telephone: 706.821.2525 Fax Number: 706.821.2530 8 9 ARTICLE 7. ATTACHMENTS. SCHEDULES. AND SIGNATURES This AGREEMENT, including its attachments and schedules, constitutes the entire AGREEMENT, supersedes all prior written or oral understandings, and many only be changed by written amendment executed by both parties. The following attachments and schedules are hereby made a part of this AGREEMENT: Attachment A - Scope of Services Attachment B - Compensation Attachment C - Project Specific Terms Attest: IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been read, understood, and signed by duly authorized officials of CH2M HILL, Inc. and the City of Augusta. CH2M HILL, INC. By: ~.. Name: c j;-/~ A-~-e r<; Title: /?--es/ aCC'/?r E?~r-p r,.C?'"-C ,; CITY OF AUGUSTA: By: eJ-L--f< j4ame: Deke Copenhaver.." , .~;7~:'~,'~~~'':.~:~ '.\.~ 14, ~ TItle: Ma 0 ~~" 'llC~l>' 0 A'" ,,~.. -t,;;71-'.: 'I;.. () -'.; /?7~cc-~~.r..r ~~hcM5 By: c ~'~; j'"J ~/::~:: _'::;:";' " (;.~~(,_~._~'~:; ~;b y~ ~ Lena Bonner i"',',,,,; ::<, ,\',';;' , i '~: '?~ \ :~jlf,~:,,~s.;j:-;ii1L;~ 1 Clerk of,Co~missiop. ...,." !f ':.r~ ;;)G~I"!>" i2,.1fi>(l;G N r;:',("" f:'C<e~.A"(,1~ ~ "~~~~ G1U}!lG\t'- ~ -" ~ ?:t~'~~~;~;1-:~;&~~~ Title: 10 11 ATTACHMENT A SCOPE OF SERVICES This attachment is to the AGREEMENT between CH2M HILL, INC. ("CONSULTANT"), and City of Augusta, GA ("CLIENT") for a PROJECT generally described as: advising and providing services to the development, configuration, vendor selection, deployment management and documentation of a wireless network covering a minimum of four (4) square miles. 1.0 Scope of Services CONSULTANT agrees to furnish CLIENT the following specific services: 1. Developing an initial process as it relates to defining the city's initiative on objectives and policy. 2. Developing RFQs and RFPs as necessary for partner and vendor selection. 3. Evaluating the proposed footprint and identifying assets. Assets to include, but are not limited to, existing infrastructure, people, technology options and city programs. This evaluation process should involve focus group discussions with persons associated with local businesses, health care, educational, neighborhood associations and governmental agencies as defined by the Information Technology Department. 4. Evaluating the responses to any RFQ and RFP. 5. Identifying and recommending partners from the RFQ and RFP responses. 6. Developing a proposed budget. 7. Developing a sustainable business model. 8. Evaluating grant applications. 9. Preparing detailed reports on all findings and recommendations as they relate to defined milestones for the wireless broadband initiative. Including a comprehensive report to be presented to the City of Augusta Commission detailing the broadband wireless initiative as defined by the Information Technology Department. 2.0 Schedule In addition to the Scope of Services above, CONSULTANT has provided the following Estimated Level of Effort for the wireless network initiative, as well as a high-level draft schedule for delivering Required Services. CONSULTANT will make reasonable efforts to complete the work within this schedule and will keep CLIENT informed of progress toward that end so that the budget identified in Attachment B or work effort can be adjusted if found necessary. Task Description Estimated Hours 46 27 32 24 28 60 16 26 24 36 16 Total: 335 * The preceding estimate of335 hours to perform the core consulting work does not include travel time to Augusta as required to perform the work. Task 1: Task 2: Task 3: Task 4: Task 5: Task 6: Task 7: Task 8: Task 9: Task 10: Task 11: 12 ATTACHMENT B COMPENSATION Cost Per Task $ 6,648.00 $ 6,093.00 $ 9,593.00 $ 6,473.00 $ 6,473.00 $ 13,748.00 $ $ 9,518.00 $ 4,768.00 $ 9,967.00 $ 13,091.00 $ 86,572.00 Compensation by CLIENT to CONSULTANT will be as follows: 1.0 Cost Reimbursement-Per Diem (Time And Expense) F or services identified in Attachment A, CONSULTANT's fixed cost quote to Augusta is as follows. This quote is all-inclusive of labor, travel and other direct expenses such as report reproduction. Augusta Wireless Consultant 01.01 - Develop Initial Process 01.02 - Evaluate Proposed Footprint/Identify Assets 01.03 - Focus Group Discussions 01.04 - Develop Proposed Budget 01.05 - Develop Business Model 01.06 - Develop RFPs/RFQs 01.07 - Evaluate Grant Applications - * 01.08 - Evaluate RFPIRFQ Responses 01.09 - Finalize Budget/Business Model 01.10 - Prepare Report Travel Total Cost * - No current grant review anticipated 2.0 Budget A budgetary amount of eighty-six thousand, five hundred seventy two dollars ($86,572.00), excluding taxes, is hereby established for the services in Attachment A. CONSULTANT will make reasonable efforts to complete the work within budget and keep CLIENT informed of progress toward that end so that the budget or work effort can be adjusted if found necessary . CONSULTANT is not obligated to incur cost beyond the indicated budget, as may be adjusted, nor is the CLIENT obligated to pay CONSULTANT beyond this limit. 13 14 3.0 Per Diem Rates Per Diem Rates are those hourly or daily rates charges for work performed on the PROJECT by the CONSULTANT's employees of the indicated classifications. These rates are subject to annual calendar year adjustments, which shall not exceed four percent per year; include all allowances for salary, overheads and fees; but do not include allowances for Direct Expenses and outside services. 4.0 Direct Expenses Direct expenses are those necessary costs and charges incurred for the PROJECT including, but not limited to the direct costs of mail, printing, reproduction, special CLIENT approved PROJECT specific insurance, letters of credit, bonds, and equipment and supplies. The costs for transportation using rental vehicles shall not exceed the actual cost of rental of a mid- size, 4-door automobile, plus gasoline at actual cost. Reimbursement of use of personal or CONSULTANT's vehicle when in travel status of PROJECT work shall not exceed the allowable federal rate for mileage. Reimbursement for meals and lodging when in travel status for PROJECT work shall be at the per diem rates in then current Federal Travel Regulations CONUS, Augusta. 15 ATTACHMENT C PROJECT SPECIFIC TERMS CLIENT and CONSULTANT agree that the following provisions, changes and modifications are made a part of the AGREEMENT between CH2M HILL, INC., ("CONSULT ANT") and City of Augusta, GA ("CLIENT") 1.0 Final Payment Upon completion of the Scope of Services, CONSULTANT will notify CLIENT in writing that the Scope of Services is complete and that final payment is due. If the Scope of Services has been completed in accordance with this AGREEMENT, final payment will be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of invoice from CONSULTANT. 2.0 Independent Contractor CONSULTANT is an independent contractor and will maintain complete control of and responsibility for its employees, subcontractor, and agents. CONSULTANT will also be responsible for the means and methods for carrying out the Scope of Services and for the safety of its employees. Nothing contained in this AGREEMENT will create any contractual relationship between CLIENT and CONSULTANT. 3.0 Codes, Laws, and Regulations CONSULTANT will comply with all applicable codes, laws, regulations, standards, and ordinances in force during the term of this AGREEMENT. 4.0 Publicity CONSULTANT will not disclose the nature of its Scope of Services on the PROJECT, or engage in any other publicity or public media disclosures with respect to this PROJECT without prior written consent of CLIENT. 5.0 Taxes and Fees Exemption It is hereby understood and recognized that the CLIENT is exempt from federal excise tax and 911 fees. 6.0 Nondisclosure Agreement To enable CONSULTANT to respond to the solicitation resulting in this AGREEMENT and to conduct activities related to the Statement of Work of this AGREEMENT may be necessary for CLIENT to disclose proprietary or confidential information to CONSULTANT. In that regard, CONSULTANT agrees, for a period of five (5) years from the date of disclosure of information identified as proprietary or confidential by CLIENT, that CONSULTANT will treat the information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose it to third parties unless the information: 16 (a) Was part ofthe public domain when received or becomes part of the public domain through no action or lack of action by the CONSULTANT. (b) Prior to disclosure, was already in CONSULTANT's possession and not subject to an obligation of confidence imposed in another relationship. (c) Subsequent to disclosure, is obtained from a third party who is lawfully in possession of the information and not subject to a contractual relationship to CONSULTANT with respect to the information. 17 ATTACHMENT D FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS CONSULTANT will begin work in CLIENT's community by first working with CLIENT and local CONSULTANT staff to identify the community interest leaders who need to be consulted and engaged in the business model and RFP formulation. These individuals are: o City staff: IT staff, proposed wireless user groups from the organization, Public Information Officers or public relations staff and the Mayor's office staff. o Commissioners: We would want to take the pulse of the commissioners, assure they have good information about the project to use as they describe the project to their constituent audiences, and learn from them who need to be involved in the interview or Focus Group seSSIOns. o Identified Interest Leaders: These may be: individuals identified by the Commissioners, identified business interests, balanced community leadership and other resident user groups. The opening staff coordination and interview process assures that we build a community involvement process that best represents and connects to the interested Augusta community. Interest-Leader Interviews The project team plans to conduct approximately twelve interviews with identified interest leaders to ground the citizen involvement effort in current community interests and expectations. The interview step allows CONSULTANT to assess and unearth political and consumer preferences up front to provide qualitative information for consideration by the technical staff during the RFP design. The interview process is also used to develop a list of recommended citizens to use to seat the focus groups. Community Focus Groups CONSULTANT anticipate holding two to three focus groups; depending on the number and type of stakeholder interests identified during the interest-leaders interview and assessment. Each focus group would be comprised of approximately fifteen (15) participants sharing some common characteristic with regard to their prospective stake in the proposed Wi-Fi system. The focus groups will discuss issues unearthed in the system design - phase and react to sample options and service area information. The Focus Group information will assist the technical staff select final options and attributes of a community wireless system so that the RFP can best reflect the interests and wishes of prospective community users. Focus Group panels might be developed to represent (sample list): small business owners, educational users, public safety professionals, or church and community leaders. 18 Information Assembly and Reporting All interview notes, Focus Group reports and Participant lists and coordination information will be assembled for use by the project team and the client. This data will also be used, in combination with other demographic data, to evaluate the proposed service footprint and potentially propose alternatives. The overall goal is to produce a sustainable business model for the network and adjustments to the footprint may be required to achieve that goal.