Title
Information Technologies Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Continue to exempt the purchase of specific computer software for the County’s Virtual Desktop Interface conversion project from competitive bidding pursuant to County Purchasing Ordinance 3.12.160 (C), as competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the County;
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order to DSA Technologies in the amount of $120,000 for the purchase of VMWare NSX Advanced per Processor software and Production support/subscription for VMWare NSX OMAdvanced per Processor for one (1) year; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign a purchase order for same.
FUNDING: General Fund, with partial cost recovery in future years through the A-87 Cost Plan.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Information Technologies Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Exempt the purchase of specific computer software for the County’s Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) conversion project from competitive bidding pursuant to County Purchasing Ordinance 3.12.160 (C), as competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the County; and
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order to DSA Technologies in the amount of $120,000 for the purchase of VMWare NSX Advanced per Processor software and Production support/subscription for VMWare NSX OMAdvanced per Processor for one (1) year; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign a purchase order for same.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
VMware NSX enables network virtualization and security for the Data Center. With NSX, network functions including load balancing and network micro-segmentation increase operational efficiencies through automation. The load balancing function will provide more uptime and aid in business continuity. In the event there is an issue with a critical server, or a server is offline for maintenance, the load balancer will seamlessly route all traffic to a secondary server. The network micro-segmentation piece of NSX will increase network security. The County currently has a firewall that protects resources from outside threats, NSX will serve as a firewall for all traffic that is internal to the County.
This is best explained with the analogy of your home. Most homes have a lock on the outside doors (which would be the County's firewall), however, if someone were in your home, they can go anywhere they please since your only security is on the outside doors. NSX (micro-segmentation) is like putting security on every door and hallway in your house, so you can regulate who goes to which parts of your house.
In 2016 DSA Technologies was the lowest bidder for the County's initial purchase of VDI software. Additionally, DSA Technologies is the registered partner for El Dorado County with VMWare which provides the County with the best pricing for all VMWare licensing.
ALTERNATIVES
In the event the Board does not approve this purchase, we will continue to have downtime (as an example the public facing website) when server updates are applied. Our security posture will not improve, as any form of a data compromise inside the network would be able to propagate.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. Funding is available for this purchase in the IT department FY 2017-18 Adopted budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
David Russell, Information Technologies