Posting Language
Title
Authorize an amendment to a contract for continued NetBrain Software Platform services used for network management for Austin Energy and Austin Aviation with FreeIt Data Solutions Inc. to extend the term for one year for an additional $423,110 and to add another one-year extension option for an additional $423,109 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $1,034,943. Funding: $245,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Energy. $100,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Aviation. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Energy, Austin Aviation.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $245,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Energy.
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Aviation.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Contract Amendment.
MBE/WBE:
Cooperative Agreement contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
October 14, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Airport Advisory Commission
October 19, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
This amendment is for the continued use of NetBrain, a network and operations software platform, by Austin Energy and to extend use of the platform to Austin Aviation. NetBrain enhances the reliability and efficiency of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure by providing visuals showing network connections and provides network management and support through quick identification of potential problems, highlighting where an issue is happening, to aid in resolution of network outages.
The platform also provides automation of utility infrastructure environment updates and enables the utility to automate change-tracking which improves Cybersecurity posture and supports compliance obligations. It reduces manual tasks, improves consistency and helps prevent network incidents that may impact business operations. It delivers accurate inventory and visibility, improving troubleshooting efficiency and overall reliability. This enables proactive issue resolution, reduces downtime, and enhances overall network reliability.
Austin Aviation’s network diagrams are currently maintained manually and often lack accuracy when needed for troubleshooting, particularly for airport critical systems. NetBrain provides necessary real-time network mapping across complex, multi-vendor environments.
Without this solution, Austin Energy risks slower incident resolution, reduced visibility into IT infrastructure network changes, and increased potential for avoidable IT network outages. Additionally, Austin Aviation would have to maintain a manual process, leading to a lack of accuracy needed for troubleshooting critical systems.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
Requested Additional Authorization |
Revised Total Authorization |
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Initial Term |
3 years |
$188,724 |
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$188,724 |
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Proposed Amendment Optional Extension 1 |
1 year 1 year |
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$423,110 $423,109 |
$423,110 $423,109 |
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Total |
5 years |
$188,724 |
$846,219 |
$1,034,943 |
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Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage and may be more or less in the initial term and in each exercised optional extension; however, the total contract amount will not exceed $1,034,943.