ORDINANCE approving and authorizing contract between the City of Houston and NETSYNC NETWORK SOLUTIONS for Professional Services, Maintenance, Support Services, Software and Hardware in support of the City’s effort to standardize the voice, data and wireless networks on the Cisco platform for the Houston Information Technology Services; providing a maximum contract amount - $41,888,144.60 - General, Enterprise and Other Funds

Formal Bid Received for S17-L26237 - Approve an Ordinance Authorizing an Enterprise Agreement Between the City of Houston and Netsync Network Solutions in a total amount not to exceed $41,888,144.60 for Professional Services, Maintenance, Support Services, Software and Hardware in support of the City’s effort to standardize the Voice, Data and Wireless Networks on the Cisco platform for the Houston Information Technology Services (HITS).

Specific Explanation:
The Chief Information Officer and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing an enterprise agreement between the City of Houston and Netsync Network Solutions for a five-year term and two one-year options in a total amount not to exceed $41,888,144.60 for Professional Services, Maintenance, Support Services, Software and Hardware in support of the City’s effort to standardize the Voice, Data and Wireless Networks on the Cisco platform.  Requested funding will allow for contract execution for the initial five-year term.  HITS will return to Council to request additional contract capacity for the two option years of the contract.

City of Houston is consolidating all Cisco purchases into a single citywide agreement with Netsync Network Solutions in lieu of separate purchase orders per department. Consolidating the City’s purchases allows the City to take advantage of a significantly increased discount. Netsync Network Solutions will provide Cisco certified hardware, maintenance/support, consulting services and managed services support for the City’s expansive voice, data and wireless networks. Hardware will include replacement of aging assets in addition to capital expansion projects. Consulting services will include design and engineering, implementation and project management services. Managed services will support on-call tier II and tier III coverage of ad hoc projects in support of the City’s stabilization and strategic efforts. The agreement will also provide annual maintenance to hardware and software.

Background:
Cisco is the City of Houston’s standardized platform for network data and voice communications. This infrastructure provides the foundation for all computing systems citywide, supports data center operations, staff and public Wi-Fi in City facilities, telephone contact centers such as 3-1-1, HPD, PWE as well as the City’s enterprise voice and data networks.

This project was advertised in accordance with the requirements of the State of Texas bid laws. 15 prospective bidders downloaded the solicitation document from the Strategic Procurement Division’s e-bidding website and five bids were received as outlined below.

M/WDBE Participation:
The invitation to bid was advertised as a goal-oriented contract with an 11% MWBE participation level for the hardware value of the contract and 24% M/WBE participation level for the service value of this contract. Netsync Network Solutions, has designated the below-named companies as its certified MWBE subcontractors.

Pay or Play Program:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s ‘Pay or Play’ ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, Netsync Network Solutions has elected to pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund in compliance with City policy.

Hire Houston First:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s ‘Hire Houston First’ ordinance that promotes economic opportunity for Houston businesses while supporting job creation. In this case Netsync Network Solutions is a designated HHF company, but they were the successful awardee without application of the HHF preference.

Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2018 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ord. 2014-1078.