REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Reject the Sole Proposal for Cellular Service Coverage Study (F26-214)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested to reject the sole proposal in response to Request for Proposals (RFP) F26-214 for the Cellular Service Coverage Study Project so that the scope of work can be revised to utilize open-source data and targeted vendor consulting support.
EXISTING POLICY
Pursuant to Section 2.08.140(b) if the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, the City Council may reject bids or proposals received in response to formal competitive bid solicitations. This section further provides that if all bids/proposals are rejected, the City has the discretion to re-advertise.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On February 13, 2025, the City Council approved Cell Coverage Mapping Study Issue ITD 25-01 to commission a report on cell phone coverage in the City of Sunnyvale, examining the service levels provided by all major cell phone carriers in the City and including the ability of carriers to recover cell service in an emergency.
On December 16, 2025, the City issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) F26-214 and received one proposal. After reviewing the proposal and conducting a vendor interview, staff determined that the cost was approximately 10 times the City’s $75,000 budget and that the vendor would not meet the City’s requirements.
Staff recommends rejecting the sole proposal and will consider next steps on completing the Council Priority Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact results from rejecting the proposals. The budget for the study project is appropriated in the General Fund under -Project 837650 - Cell Coverage Mapping.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Reject the sole proposal in response to Request for Proposals (RFP) F26-214 Cellular Service Coverage Study Project.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
_X_ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Battaglia, Purchasing Officer
Reviewed by: Matthew Paulin, Director of Finance
Received by: Kathleen Boutté Foster. Chief Information Officer
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager