Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of various contracts through the State of Texas Department of Information Resources cooperative program during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the purchase of network and other technology hardware, software and services, in an amount not to exceed $12,500,000, divided among the contractors.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
All City Departments.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $477,908 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budgets of various City departments.
Funding in the amount of $3,589,000 is available in the Capital Budgets of various City departments.
Purchasing Language:
The State of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) contracts are cooperative contracts solicited by the State of Texas specific to information technology items and services. Central Procurement staff review quotes from multiple contractors with DIR contracts to ensure the best value for the City. Best value determination includes price and contract terms as well as MBE/WBE/HUB inclusion.
MBE/WBE:
These procurements will be reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program).
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 authorization allows the City to purchase technology hardware, software, technical training, and information resources technology services through contracts solicited by the State of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) through the DIR’s cooperative purchasing program at competitively bid prices. DIR contracts have historically underutilized business requirements for subcontracting.
The current DIR authority will expire September 30, 2024. This authorization request includes specifically identified technology needs, as well as budgeted anticipated technology purchases. Some of the significant planned purchases for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 through this cooperative contract include infrastructure hardware, data center infrastructure and storage, software as a service, local and long-distance communication services, and communication systems.
This annual aggregated request for authorization is submitted to Council before the end of each fiscal year. Bringing forward all the requests for authorization at one time greatly reduces the number of individual Recommendations for Council Action and significantly reduces the workload of all staff involved.
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.
Without new authorization in place, it may be difficult for departments to purchase technology goods and services in a timely manner, potentially leading to delays in the ability to provide needed services to citizens.