Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for information technology networking platform licenses, maintenance, and support with Freeit Data Solutions Inc., for a term of three years in an amount not to exceed $1,600,000.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Communications and Technology Management.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $513,755 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Communications and Technology Management.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Purchasing Language:
Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these services. The Financial Services Department has determined this contractor best meets the needs of Communications and Technology Management Department to provide these services required for the City.
MBE/WBE:
This procurement was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For services required for this procurement, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide licenses, maintenance, and support services for the Arista information technology networking platform which provides service delivery, management, workflow, disaster recovery for servers, and storage hardware resources for Communications and Technology Management supported departments. The platform allows access to the most up to date software patches and round the clock contractor support providing the best level of protection of City resources and data. Additionally, the platform manages networks to improve stability, efficiency, and scalability of the IT infrastructure.
The State of Texas Department of Information Resources is a cooperative purchasing association recognized under Texas procurement statutes. Cooperative associations, themselves or using a lead government, competitively solicit and award contracts that are eligible for use by other qualified state and local governments. Due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include superior terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also results in lower administrative costs and time savings.
If not approved, the City will lose the support and maintenance services when Arista networking issues arise, in addition to not receiving security updates included in the software support service.