Per state statute, all telecommunications systems and services affecting the management and operations of the state must be acquired through ITS. The following table lists the major voice and data telecommunications services that can be provided to state institutions of higher learning through ITS and/or through ITS contracts.
Note that, for the acquisition of telecommunications services and systems, the normal delegation of procurement authority by ITS to the institution of higher learning does not apply. See Acquisition of telecommunications Services by IHLs for details.
For certain telecommunication products and services, ITS has compiled and published Express Products Lists (EPLs) that can be used by IHLs in these acquisitions.
Senate Bill 2514, 2005 Regular Session [codified as Mississippi Code § 25-53-171], established the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission and tasked the Commission with the responsibility for approving all wireless communication purchases within the state and for setting forth rules and regulations governing these purchases. See Purchasing Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures on the WCC website for additional information regarding wireless communication purchases.
For price or other information for Service Areas 1-5 or 7, contact TelecomRequest@its.ms.gov. See ITS EPLs for products and pricing in Service Area 6. For any telecommunications services or systems not listed, contact TelecomRequest@its.ms.gov.
Service Area: | Includes: | ITS Approval Process: |
(1) Local Area Access: Line charges for traditional voice communication services (any voice communication line other than radio circuits) | Business Lines ("dial tone") Trunking (DID, ISDN-PRI, OGO, or any combination) Centrex Lines | No delegation. ITS has conducted these procurements on behalf of the State and has contracts in place for these services. Contact ITS directly as outlined above for additional details and to arrange for these services. |
(2) Long Distance Toll Services | Intra-LATA calls Inter-LATA calls Interstate calls International calls Toll-free service (i.e. "800" type service) Calling cards | No delegation. ITS has conducted these procurements on behalf of the State and has contracts in place for these services. Contact ITS directly as outlined above for additional details and to arrange for these services. |
(3) Audio and Web Conferencing | Operator Assisted Reservationless Document Sharing Streaming video | No delegation. ITS has conducted these procurements on behalf of the State and has contracts in place for these services. Contact ITS directly as outlined above for additional details and to arrange for these services. |
(4) Data Communication Services | Inter-LATA circuits Intra-LATA circuits MPLS Circuits State backbone Internet access DSL | No delegation. ITS has conducted these procurements on behalf of the State and has contracts in place for these services. Contact ITS directly as outlined above for additional details and to arrange for these services. |
(5) Data Communication Equipment | Routers providing connection to the statewide backbone network | For any router that is a direct connection to the statewide backbone: (a) Delegation to purchase, following applicable procurement laws, up to $250,000 without ITS involvement. MUST name Cisco as manufacturer. OR (b) Submit procurement request to ITS. NOTE: If not a border device, purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures. |
(6) Telecommunications Express Products Lists | Two-way radios | Delegation to purchase outside EPL following applicable procurement laws up to $250,000 without ITS involvement. Submit standard procurement request above $250,000; Requires WCC approval above $100,000 per project or per fiscal year; May use MSWIN Contract as EPL for equipment on Mobile, Portable, and Dispatch Console Equipment List; Submit procurement request to buy from EPL above EPL spending limit ($200,000). |
Cellular equipment and services; | Agencies and IHLs must purchase cellular devices and services from the Master Cellular Agreement; No dollar limit to purchases from Master Cellular Agreement by any government entity; All exceptions to Master Cellular Agreement by agencies and IHLs require ITS approval; Competitive procurement required for any exception with a cost $50,000 per fiscal year ($25,000 for projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA]) | |
Pager equipment and services | Delegation to purchase following applicable procurement laws, up to $250,000 without ITS involvement | |
E-911 | Delegation to purchase outside EPL, following applicable procurement laws, up to $250,000 without ITS involvement | |
(7) Telephone Equipment and Systems | Telephone sets (single and multi-line) | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures |
Key Systems | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures | |
PBXs | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures | |
Hybrid Systems | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures | |
Phone system maintenance | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures | |
Pay Phones | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures | |
Voice Mail services | Delegation to purchase using standard delegation limits and procurement procedures |
36 Miss. Code. R. 2-6-206.7