Teleconferencing Project Correspondence

October 31, 1997

TO:

County Superintendents, Chief Business Officials and FCMAT County Contact Persons

FROM:

Bill Luehe
FCMAT Director, Professional Development

SUBJECT:

FCMAT Teleconferencing Project Update

Since our last project update, a number of events have transpired. Consequently, it seemed appropriate to send out another communication to update you.

We have been working with a number of challenges that have delayed our project. These have included:

  1. Faulty chips in one of our receiver components. This was discovered when we went through and tested each receiver unit prior to shipment. To resolve this problem, the chip had to be redesigned and remanufactured. That process has now been completed, the chips have been reinstalled, and the receiver units have passed the retest. The receivers are now ready for shipment.
  2. Miscommunication that occurred when the survey crews arrived on the various downlink sites. This particular item has caused the greatest delay. As you are aware, we have been working with many sites relative to their changing their down link to a ground mount. This has been somewhat complex to work through since changing the position of the down link has required (in many cases) the need for a new survey and subsequent new specifications for the connecting hardware.
  3. Discussions between FCMAT/KCSOS and COMSAT relative to who should pay for any resurveys that are necessary as a result of the miscommunication that occurred during the initial survey. It is our understanding that we are close to resolution on this matter.
  4. COMSAT is requiring a purchase order from all COEs that were surveyed and need additional connecting hardware and consequently have incurred "non- standard" costs. COMSAT's position has been that they would not send installation crews until all of these costs were covered by a purchase order. We have asked COMSAT to begin installation with those sites that are currently ready. As of the time of this update, there are 25 COEs that are ready for installation.

By now, all sites should have received their satellite dish. Delivery began several weeks ago with 30 dishes and resumed this past week with the delivery of the remainder of the dishes.

We are all very anxious to get our project off of high center and moving vigorously forward for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the impending winter weather that will soon be upon us.

If you have "non-standard" cost associated with your installation and have not sent (or FAXED) a purchase order to COMSAT, please do so immediately. Should you have any questions regarding your "non-standard" costs, or even if you are questioning whether or not you have any of these costs, please call:

COMSAT
Barry Sullivan

Direct

703-450-7291

Office

703-450-7030

FAX

703-450-4894

Barry will also be happy to answer other questions that you may have in relation to the FCMAT Teleconferencing Project and the installation process.

If you have other questions that need to be addressed please feel free to call:

KCSOS

FCMAT

Larry Ciecalone

Bill Luehe

Director - Broadcasting

Director - Professional Development

805-636-4755

805-636-4614

Again, let me urge you to get your PO in to COMSAT. Thanks for your understanding as we work our way through the complexities of this project.

 

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