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RESOLUTION APPROVING AWARD OF NON-COMPETITIVE LEGACY CONTRACT NO. L-10560, INTEGRATED NETWORK SOLUTIONS, TO EQUINIX, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,655,140.00 FOR AN INITIAL THREE-YEAR TERM AND ONE, TWO-YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE COUNTY CODE AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:

Section 1. This Board authorizes the award of a non-competitive legacy contract pursuant to section 2-8.1(b)(2) of the Miami-Dade County Code to Equinix, Inc. in the amount of $3,655,140.00 for an initial three-year term and one, two-year option to renew for Contract No. L-10560, Integrated Network Solutions,�in substantially the form attached hereto and made a part hereof, for the Communications, Information and Technology Department.

Section 2. This Board authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute the agreement and exercise all provisions of the contract, including any cancellation, renewal, or extensions, pursuant to section 2-8.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida and Implementing Order 3-38.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: Recommendation for Approval to Award a Non-competitive Legacy Contract for Internet Access, Colocation, and Managed Router Services (Integrated Network Solutions)

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Summary
Date:
To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor
Subject: Recommendation for Approval to Award a Non-competitive Legacy Contract for Internet Access, Colocation, and Managed Router Services (Integrated Network Solutions)

Summary
This item is for the continued access to a colocation space to house the County�s technology network infrastructure in a hardened, disaster-resilient space offering redundancy and structural protections to safeguard against service interruptions during natural disasters. This ensures fast, secure and reliable access to the internet and communication services for the Communications, Information and Technology Department (CITD) on behalf of County departments and constitutional offices. The current contract provides durable, secure and reliable connections and storage space in downtown Miami to house critical network technology which includes, but is not limited to, servers, storage arrays, backup and the supporting equipment.

The recommended vendor, Equinix, Inc. (Equinix), is one of the seven major internet access points in the U.S. and is the optimal choice to ensure uninterrupted continuity, reliability, and security of the County�s internet and communication services. Relocating the County�s colocation space would require one of two options: disconnecting the internet for an unknown period, disrupting online services that process $1.34 million online payments daily; or purchasing all new equipment to duplicate the current operational environment at the new location, incurring cost prohibitive expenses for the transition, and temporarily disrupting services. Use of any other colocation space will require establishing new network connections and would impact critical operations for departments and agencies. Continuing with the County�s existing colocation space is essential to ensuring data security, low-latency connectivity, and optimal network throughput. As the County continues to expand its reliance on internet access, colocation, and managed router services, the need for a fast, secure and resilient infrastructure with stringent cybersecurity protocols remains paramount.

Recommendation
While the County staff continue to prioritize avoiding legacy contracts where feasible, in this instance, pursuing alternative options would involve significant delays, downtime during transition, and high unbudgeted expenses. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board approve this request for a non-competitive legacy contract pursuant to Section 2-8.1(b)(2) of the Miami-Dade County Code (Code) and approve award of Contract No. L-10560, Integrated Network Solutions, to Equinix in the amount of $3,655,140 for an initial three-year term and one, two-year option to renew (OTR) for CITD. This contract will replace Contract No. L7662-2/32 which was awarded by the Board through Resolution No. R-1120-23 for a two-year term.

Background
The Nap of the Americas (NAP), built in 2001, is one of the largest data centers and the fourth-largest Internet exchange point in the U.S. with the infrastructure to support more than 120 global networks connecting 150 countries. It has an area dedicated to U. S. government entities with strict access control protocols, sits 32 feet above sea level and is designed to withstand Category 5 hurricane-level winds. Additionally, this facility also hosts various carriers or Internet Service Providers (ISPs), many being Tier-1, that exchange internet traffic and provide additional services at the NAP. Tier-1 ISPs are major carriers of internet connectivity and known as the top industry providers that can reach internet networks directly without having to depend on other ISPs for a reliable connection.

In 2004, the County awarded a competitive contract to Terremark North America Inc. (Terremark) for internet access and managed router services at the NAP. Subsequently, Equinix acquired Terremark in May 2017. The County was one of the first tenants to have a significant presence in the NAP and, as a result, was able to develop and build a strong fiber optic network ring and is directly connected underground through two network connections for redundancy. Today, only carriers are allowed to connect directly to the NAP; however, due to the County�s long-standing partnership the two network connections have been grandfathered into the contract at no cost to the County. This direct connection allows Equinix to provide the County with internet service as a managed router service similar to an independent carrier. This service provides the County�s internet connection that is dynamically routed across multiple Tier-1 service providers automatically protecting the County from internet outages should one or more ISP experience problems.

On behalf of the County, Equinix handles tasks such as setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting to keep the network secure and operational, guaranteeing 99.999% internet connection availability, monitored by their Network Operation Center, which intervenes to resolve any connectivity issues promptly. Equinix's robust infrastructure and stringent security measures ensure the protection of critical data, especially during severe weather events. This level of reliability and security is vital for County operations, safeguarding essential services and data integrity. Additionally, Equinix's expertise in optimizing network performance and ensuring secure data transmission, directly benefits the County, reducing latency, creating redundancy and enhancing connectivity for efficient operation.

The continuation of this legacy contract is recommended due to the substantial risks, temporary disruption of services and prohibitive costs associated with relocating the County�s colocation space. Any disruption to internet service would have a severe impact on County operations, including public-facing services such as the County�s website and e-commerce platforms that process an average of $1.34 million in online payments daily. Internet outages would also affect internal connectivity for critical County public safety departments and outside agencies such Miami-Dade Sheriff�s Office (MDSO), Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (MDFR), Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR), and Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, as well as other essential infrastructure sectors including the Supervisor of Elections, Water and Sewer, Seaport, Aviation, and Transportation. Furthermore, such interruptions would compromise the County�s cybersecurity posture by disrupting the Security Operations Center (SOC) and managed security services that provide 24/7 network visibility, anomaly detection, system log analysis, and real-time incident response capabilities.

On December 12, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) during discussion on the current contract directed staff to analyze if the services for internet access, colocation and managed router services can be competitively procured. Extensive research was conducted and confirmed that the incumbent vendor�s level of reliability cannot be matched by other providers, a factor that is critical to serving the operational needs of all County agencies and citizens. A Request for Information (RFI), EVN0007724, Network Access Points, was issued through the County�s Integrated Financial Resources Management System (INFORMS) on March 13, 2024, seeking vendors for Internet Connectivity, Managed Router and Colocation Services. Despite sending out the RFI to 272 local vendors and posting it on various platforms, such as DemandStar and the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) Community website, there was no interest or responses received from any vendor.

On December 19, 2024, the County released an additional RFI, EVN0018605, with a closing date of February 18, 2025. The invitation was sent to over 200 bidders; however, only one submission was received from Dextra Strategist LLC. Upon review by CITD, it was determined that their solution does not address the key requirements outlined by the County. Specifically, the firm�s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offering would not be suitable for the County�s use case and should be considered in other upcoming capital projects.

In November 2025, County staff conducted extensive market research and contacted thirteen additional service providers, including Digital Realty, CoreSite, and DE-CIX. Although several vendors expressed interest and offered partial service components, none demonstrated the operational capability to provide a fully integrated, bundled solution comparable to the County�s current service configuration. As a result, a direct, apples-to-apples rate comparison was not feasible.

Maintaining the County's colocation space locally is imperative for data security, efficient internet connectivity, and throughput. Proximity allows connectivity and access for County staff, enhancing control over data and cybersecurity. It reduces the need for multiple internet connections, lowering vulnerabilities and points of failure. Local placement ensures data transmission within the County�s trusted network infrastructure, minimizing breach risks and ensuring faster, reliable internet connections for vital services. While the County safely transmits cloud backups through the Equinix ISP to other states, it�s essential to keep the colocation space local. The physical nature of the County�s infrastructure, including fiber optic cables and wire plants, used for communication and data transmission are susceptible to signal degradation and interference over long distances. Therefore, staying local reduces these risks and ensures the security and reliability of the data transmission process, countywide.

Although there are several competitors in the current market for colocation services, none of the existing providers in Miami-Dade County provide Managed Router Services, as well as internet access and colocation. By combining these services into one package offering, Equinix is able to reduce costs and meet the County�s internet access and colocation needs. While alternative data centers were identified, they rely on cloud connectivity that falls short of the County's cybersecurity standards and lack crucial managed router services for security. Additionally, data centers such as EdgeConneX�s EDCMIA01, Level 3 Miami, and BurstNET�s Miami DC1 offer internet access and connectivity options but lack Equinix's extensive network of ISPs, unsurpassed security measures, and robust infrastructure necessary for seamless data transmission, reliability, and scalability.

Another pivotal advantage inherent in the partnership with Equinix lies in its ability to offer dedicated cloud services, allowing the County to efficiently access various Software as a Service (SaaS) and Technology as a Service solutions, integrate cloud infrastructure, manage access, and scale workloads. With top providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, Cisco, AT&T and Verizon, Equinix ensures secure data transmission without relying on the public internet. Hosting thousands of services, Equinix enhances data control, streamlining workflows and ensuring data security and access control for County departments. Accordingly, it is in the County�s best interest to award this legacy contract pursuant to Section 2-8.1(b)(2) of the County Code to continue purchasing the required services.

Scope
The scope of this item is countywide in nature.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The fiscal impact for the initial three-year term and one, two-year OTR is $3,655,140. The current contract is valued at $1,698,150 for a two-year and six-month term and expires on June 30, 2026. The monthly recurring charge for core services under the replacement contract is higher than the current contract due to an increase in anticipated needs for additional equipment or network capacity growth over the next nine years.

Department Allocation Funding Source Budgeted Contract Manager
CITD $3,655,140 Internal Service Funds FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget, Volume 3, Communications, Information and Technology, Page 276, Other Operating Julian Manduley
Total $3,655,140

Track Record/Monitor
Natalya Vasilyeva of SPD is the Division Director.

Delegated Authority
If this item is approved, the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee will have the authority to execute the agreement and exercise all provisions of the contract, including any cancellation, renewals, or extensions, pursuant to Section 2-8.1 of the County Code and Implementing Order 3-38.

Vendor Principal Address Local Address Number of Employee Residents Principal
1) Miami-Dade
2) Percentage*
Equinix, Inc. One Lagoon Drive Redwood, CA
50 NE 9th Street
Miami, FL
0 Tara Risser
0%
*Provided pursuant to Resolution No. R-1011-15. Percentage of employee residents is the percentage of vendor�s employees who reside in Miami-Dade County as compared to the vendor�s total workforce.

Due Diligence
Pursuant to Resolution No. R-187-12, due diligence was conducted in accordance with SPD�s Procurement Guidelines to determine contractor responsibility, including verifying corporate status and that there are no performance or compliance issues through various vendor responsibility lists and a keyword internet search. The lists that were referenced included convicted vendors, debarred vendors, delinquent contractors, suspended vendors, and federal excluded parties. There were no adverse findings relating to contractor responsibility.

Pursuant to Resolution No. R-252-25, efforts were made to identify any potential piggybacking opportunities prior to issuance of a competitive solicitation. No contracts were identified for accessing.

Applicable Ordinances and Contract Measures
� The two percent User Access Program provision applies.
� The Small Business Enterprise measures and Local Preference do not apply.
� The Living Wage Ordinance does not apply.

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Carladenise Edwards
Chief Administrative Officer