Digital Connectivity
$8.7 Million in City Funds
On February 3, 2022, the City Council allocated $6.9 million for Digital Access/ Literacy, referred to here as Digital Connectivity. The City Council designated the Economic and Workforce Development Committee (EWDC) to oversee planning for this category.
On August 26, 2022, the draft Digital Connectivity in Underserved Community Areas RFP was briefed at Audit and Accountability Committee during the Pre‐Solicitation High Profile Briefings section. The RFP was a component of an overall effort to connect 100% of households to reliable internet and serves to meet the immediate needs of many of our unserved and underserved neighbors.
The Digital Connectivity RFP was a joint solicitation between the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. The RFP included 37 total census tracts: 11 in unincorporated Bexar County and 26 within the City boundary. The RFP was released on July 6, 2022, with a due date for responses on October 5, 2022. Of the responses to the solicitation, two vendors were considered for contract, AT&T and Spectrum.
AT&T offered to cover all 26 census tracts identified within incorporated City of San Antonio. Spectrum offered to cover 10 of the 11 census tracts identified in the unincorporated Bexar County. The total amount of these solutions is $53,883,743, of which $39,603,446 (71%) is offered to be covered by both vendors, leaving $14,280,297 to be covered by COSA and Bexar County.
On February 8, 2023, the City Council was provided an update on the COVID‐19 Recovery & Resiliency Plan and ARPA SLFRF Program. At this presentation, the City Council was made aware that $9.4 million was available to be allocated from interest income and program balances from the Recovery & Resiliency Plan, of which $1.8 million was from Digital Inclusion programs. The City Council approved this additional $1.8 million to be added to the Digital Connectivity program, bringing the total allocation for Digital Connectivity to $8.7 million.
On April 6, 2023, the City Council approved a contract with AT&T to provide affordable, quality fiber connectivity to 20,200 households, businesses, and community assets across Council Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Additionally, the project area covers 26 census tracts within incorporated San Antonio.
Request for Proposals
RFP Timeline
- July 6, 2022: Release of RFP for known Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) or other firms to design, build-out and provide improved broadband infrastructure/service in underserved communities.
- Oct. 5, 2022: RFP closes.
- Dec. 19, 2022: RFP evaluation and scoring of responses. ISP’s identified for proposed contract awards.
- March 8, 2023: City Council briefing on recommended contract awards.
- April 6, 2023: City Council approval.
Past Presentations