Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carlos Bolanos, Sheriff
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Everbridge Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Everbridge Inc. for a Unified Countywide Mass Notification System, extending the term to June 30, 2021 and increasing the amount by $112,000 to an amount not to exceed $640,710.
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BACKGROUND:
The Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) is a Federal Department of Homeland Security funded grant that provides resources for equipment, technology, training, and planning for national high threat urban areas, The Bay Area UASI services a population of over seven million, with a geographical coverage area of 8,800 square miles which includes all of San Mateo County,
The Bay Area UASI has selected Everbridge Inc. as the software service provider for a regional mass notification system that provides interoperability notification services for the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, Monterey, and San Mateo.
The SMC alert system has the capability of sending thousands of simultaneous messages via text, email, and voice which allows emergency managers to communicate information to the public. The system is operated by the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, but is also available to all County departments, cities, towns, and special districts throughout the County at no additional cost. The system replaced the former SMC Alert text and email only system and the stand-alone telephone emergency notification system (TENS). The SMC Alert system went live to the public on August 31, 2015 and currently has more than 85,000 full service public subscribers, 34,000 anonymous public subscribers, and 12,000 first responder and municipal employee subscribers. SMC Alert also provides access to the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).
DISCUSSION:
The ability to rapidly warn and inform the public in times of emergency is a vital function of emergency management that can save lives. The most effective system for notifying the public has changed to a mobile phone and digital format backed up by voice notifications. In major life threating circumstances available notification tools are needed to reach the greatest number of members of the community.
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services has been operating the SMC Alert system for more than a decade, and it has been used on numerous occasions where evacuation or “shelter in place” warnings were needed to protect the wellbeing of the community. More routine messages of general safety, like those of major highway closures allow testing of the system and at the same time help the public to avoid potentially hazardous situations.
Five years ago, the SMC Alert was moved from its legacy software to its current platform operated by Everbridge. This move involved the migration of more than 38,000 records that had been collected over the preceding years. The system has more than doubled in size over the last four years as a result of the outreach efforts of OES and by the increased public interest in having information quickly available directly from the agencies that provide for public safety.
For continuity purposes we would recommend extending the contract with Everbridge. During the course of the next year, regional Everbridge users will examine alternate providers to ensure we meet industry standards and fulfill due diligence to acquire the provider that best suits our need as a county.
This resolution and agreement have been reviewed and approved as to form by County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Amendment Four to the agreement with Everbridge Inc. increases the amount by $112,000 to a revised not to exceed amount of $640,710. This project is grant funded by the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). There is no net county cost.