Title
Information Technologies Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Waive formal bid requirements in accordance with Purchasing Ordinance 3.12.160, exemptions from competitive process, Section D;
2) Authorize the use of the State of Utah Western States Contracting Alliance-National Association of State Procurement Officials (WSCA-NASPO) contract number AR626, and California Participating Addendum 7-14-70-11 for the acquisition of computer hardware, software, subscriptions and support services necessary for the implementation of a new Countywide network security system (firewalls); and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute purchase order PO201806227 to ePlus Technology, Inc., an awarded vendor under the State contract, in the amount of $225,674.40, plus applicable sales tax, for the purchase of the hardware, software, subscriptions and support services for the network security system.
FUNDING: General Fund with cost recovery in future year(s) through the A-87 Cost Plan.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Information Technologies Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Waive formal bid requirements in accordance with Purchasing Ordinance 3.12.160, exemptions from competitive process, Section D;
2) Authorize the use of the State of Utah Western States Contracting Alliance-National Association of State Procurement Officials (WSCA-NASPO) contract number AR626, and California Participating Addendum 7-14-70-11 for the acquisition of computer hardware, software, subscriptions and support services necessary for the implementation of a new Countywide network security system (firewalls); and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute purchase order PO201806227 to ePlus Technology, Inc., an awarded vendor under the State contract, in the amount of $225,674.40, plus applicable sales tax, for the purchase of the hardware, software, subscriptions and support services for the network security system.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Information Technologies Department (IT) maintains firewalls that provide Countywide network security by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. The County’s current firewalls are over 12 years old, will reach end of life in 2018 and will no longer be supported by the vendor (Cisco Systems). The firewalls must be replaced to ensure County data is secure, HIPAA compliant; results in network redundancy, resiliency and business continuity; and meets current industry standards. Additionally, updated firewalls are a critical element of the County’s continued efforts to upgrade existing technology infrastructure and are part of the IT Strategic Plan to build infrastructure to provide a flexible, fast, secure virtual workspace for all employees to be able to do their jobs from any device or location.
The recommended purchase includes two physical firewalls and one virtual firewall; security subscriptions for URL filtering, anti-virus and threat prevention; software for centralized management of the firewalls; and consulting services to assist IT staff in the migration from the existing firewalls to the new firewalls.
Purchasing Ordinance Section 3.12.160 (D) allows for the exemption from competitive bidding when utilizing a contract that uses a competitive bidding process substantially the same as the County’s process.
There are three authorized vendors under the competitively bid State of Utah Western States Contracting Alliance-National Association of State Procurement Officials (WSCA-NASPO) contract number AR626, and California Participating Addendum 7-14-70-11. IT obtained quotes from all three vendors under the contract and, for purposes of market comparison, from a fourth vendor not associated with this contract. ePlus Technology Inc. provided the lowest pricing.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the purchase at this time; however, this would likely result in an increase in costs and continued operational impacts to IT and County departments.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office, Procurement & Contracts, County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this purchase is included in the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for the Information Technologies Department.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
None
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
David Russell, Information Technologies
Terri Knowlton, Chief Administrative Office, Procurement & Contracts