The District of Columbia Government (District) has signed a three-year contract with Verizon Business under which the company will provide local telecommunications voice, data and voice mail services at more than 200 District offices.
Over 20,000 District employees including police, fire and administrative personnel will receive those services. The new agreement, announced today, continues a long history of serving the evolving communications needs of the District through Verizon and its legacy companies.
“This three-year discount contract represents a new and improved business partnership for the District and Verizon,” said Vivek Kundra, Chief Technology Officer for the District of Columbia. “The Mayor, the Attorney General, Councilmembers Schwartz, Gray, and the entire Council all played critical roles in taking it to final approval. I want to thank everyone involved in this important effort on behalf of the taxpayers and employees of the District.”
According to the District Office of Planning data, at the end of 2006, DCG serves 581,530 residents, and had 26,951 “full-time equivalent” employees in the nation’s capital.
Alex Coleman, senior vice president for Verizon Business’ government and education organization, said: “Our more than 100 years of serving the District of Columbia gives us a unique perspective on its current and future needs. We look forward to working with the District as it begins to implement advanced Internet protocol services that will help improve the experience for customers in the years to come.’’
This innovative contract makes it easier for the District to both buy smarter and to save money. The agreement is projected to save between $6 million and $12 million on basic services and will allow the District to address most of the products and services that it buys from Verizon.
Kundra said: “The contract will help the District contain costs for landline and data services while taking advantage of emerging technologies. Negotiators on both sides worked hard and in good faith to draft the contract.”
The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) identifies and implements technologies that systematically support the business process needs and requirements of District agencies. OCTO also develops and enforces policies and standards for information technology throughout the District government. OCTO’s overall mission is to leverage technology investments to increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability throughout the District.
Posts
