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District Attorney's Office recommending the Board authorize the department to enter into a Perpetual Web-Based Agreement with Dreamhost LLC, an agency that provides Website Hosting services, for approximately $1,800 annually, pursuant to the requirement set forth per El Dorado County Policy C-17.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney’s office has identified a new vendor for the procurement of Website Hosting services. Dreamhost offers fully managed dedicated server hosting with 24hr tech support and server monitoring. The department currently has four active websites that require continued hosting services and maintenance.
Capitol Tech Solutions (agreement 3220) is the current vendor utilized by the District Attorney for these similar services. However, Dreamhost provides quality service exceeding that of Capitol Tech Solutions. They offer round the clock support, access to servers of higher capabilities, and allow the department to monitor and implement the services needed for their web presence. Additionally, the department will experience cost savings by switching vendors. The current monthly rate charged by Capitol Tech Solutions is $300/mo as compared to the proposed monthly rate charged by Dreamhost of $149/mo.
Since Dreamhost is an online platform, they require customers to agree to their Terms & Conditions electronically. A copy of the complete Terms & Conditions are attached and have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel, per the stipulation that Board approval for a perpetual agreement is granted. The reasoning behind the request for perpetual approval is the Auto-Renewal language referenced. The cost for the desired package (Standard 4GB/1TB HDD Server) on an annual plan is $149/mo., which is a total of $1,788 charged upfront and continuously per year until the subscription to the service is manually terminated by the customer. Per the terms, Dreamhost does reserve the right to modify current services plans, fee and applicable charges at any time, assumed typical with industry rates.
Based on the timing of Dreamhost procurement, the current agreement with Capitol Tech Solutions will either be terminated early or terminated at the time of expiration, which is set for 4/30/21. In addition, Information Technologies (IT) has provided approval for this purchase from a County computer/software perspective per IT Ticket L1FB6A4839.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board opt not to approve the perpetual agreement for Dreamhost Website Hosting services, the District Attorney will not be able to complete the procurement process and have to continue to use a vendor that bills a higher rate for less adequate services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Switching providers for Website Hosting services will provide an overall savings to Net County Cost. The anticipated savings have been included in the District Attorney’s FY 2021-22 budget request.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson