Title
Contracts for IT Research, Advisory and Consulting Services (Ordinance S-44256)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into contracts with multiple vendors to provide professional Information Technology (IT) research, advisory, and consulting services on an as-needed basis, for a total amount not to exceed $7.5 million over the life of the contracts. Further request authorization to agree in these contracts that notwithstanding Section 42-18 of the City Code, each vendor’s aggregate liability with respect to liabilities arising out of their respective contract shall be limited to an amount equal to three times the value of the engagement. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Information Technology Services requests authorization for multiple contracts to be used on an as-needed basis to engage research, advisory and consulting firms for departments citywide. The City has a large and diverse technology environment, requiring continuous projects and initiatives to maintain operations and implement new technology solutions. IT research, advisory, and consulting services are often needed to provide the most current industry research, develop strategy, perform fit-gap and similar analysis, recommend process improvements, and perform pre-project planning. Historically, departments requiring IT research, advisory, or consulting services either released a solicitation, utilized the general IT Professional Services Qualified Vendor list, or used a firm from the State contract. Conducting all of these processes separately is time-consuming and limits the variety of firms involved. This request would significantly streamline the process by allowing firms to be selected from any one of the vendors listed below, while ensuring selection of the best candidate for each unique engagement.
Procurement Information
In December 2017, the Information Technology Services Department released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for qualified research, advisory, and consulting firms. The request included separate qualifications for large and small firms, to provide opportunities for small firms for engagements estimated to be less than $150,000. Twenty-six firms responded to the RFQ. A panel consisting of staff from multiple departments reviewed responses and recommended the following vendors as having met the required qualifications.
Qualified for Small Engagements:
Cadenza, LLC
CISOSHARE
Dimension Systems, Inc.
Education, Leadership and Analytics, LLC
Gaea Global Technologies, Inc.
ISOutsource
Mission Critical Partners
OZ Engineering
Paradigm Solutions, LLC
Paramount Software Solutions, Inc.
Rishaank, LLC
Securance LLC
SeNet International Corporation
Sensi Project Solutions, Inc.
ServiceTec International, Inc.
The Evolvers Group, L. P
Qualified for Any Engagement:
Arcadis U.S., Inc.
Ernst & Young
Gartner, Inc.
IDC Research, Inc.
Public Consulting Group, Inc.
Slalom LLC
Timmons Group, Inc.
Zolon Tech, Inc.
Contract Term
The term will be for five years beginning on or about Feb. 8, 2018 and ending on or about Feb. 7, 2023.
Financial Impact
The contracts will be used on an as-needed basis, in an amount not to exceed $7.5 million for all contract years. The annual amount is expected to be $1.5 million, based on the estimated usage of contracted research, advisory, and consulting services. Funds are available in various departments' budgets.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Information Technology Services Department.