Background:
C53094-A4 - Ordinance approving and authorizing a fourth amendment the Sole Source Contract (4600007746) Between the City of Houston and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (formerly Northrop Grumman Information Technology, Inc.) to Extend the Contract Term from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, for Maintenance and Operational Support Services for the Consolidated Dispatching System (CDS) for the Houston Emergency Center.
Specific Explanation:
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an amending ordinance authorizing a Fourth Amendment to the contract between the City of Houston and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (formerly Northrop Grumman Information Technology, Inc.) to extend the Agreement term for a maximum of 3 months (December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018), and to amend Exhibit "29-D" Pricing for Basic Software Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance and Operational Support Services of the Consolidated Dispatching System at Houston Emergency Center.
The contract was originally awarded by Council on August 29, 2001, per Ordinance No. 2001-0818, in the original amount of $12,363,291.00. On July 16, 2003, per Council Motion 2003-0897, City Council approved a Change Order to add additional funds in the amount of $903,530.16. On October 1, 2003, per Council Motion 2003-1167, City Council approved additional funds in the amount of $664,000.00 to authorize the purchase of Preventive Maintenance and Operational Support Services, which had not been provided for in the original contract. On January 25, 2006, per Ordinance No. 2006-087, City Council approved additional funds in the amount of $687,072.77 to pay for second year of the Basic Software Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Operational Support Services. On December 30, 2008, per Ordinance No. 2008-1225, City Council approved additional funds in the amount of $2,950,000.00 for the continuation of Basic Software and Preventive Maintenance, and authorized a first amendment to extend the contract term through January 1, 2012. On October 26, 2011, per Ordinance No. 2011-0931, City Council authorized a Second Amendment to increase the maximum contract amount and extend the contract term through January 1, 2016. On December 9, 2015, per Ordinance No 2015- 1247, City Council authorized a Third Amendment to extend the contract term for two additional years through January 1, 2018.
The scope of work requires the contractor to provide basic software maintenance, preventive maintenance, and operational support services for the Consolidated Dispatch System. The CDS provides the means for the Houston Police and Fire Departments to use combined Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) technology to assist with assigning and managing calls for service to the most appropriate Police and Fire / EMS first responders.
The contract was originally put in place to allow the City to move away from a paper system, which causes unnecessary delays in responding to service calls.
The subject contract is a sole source, as Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation retains the patent and copyright for their computer assisted software, as well as to ensure continued viability of this mission critical platform for dispatching.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) (A) "a procurement of items that are available from only one source, including: items that are available from only one source because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies" of the Texas Local Government Code for exempted procurements.
Hire Houston First:
Hire Houston First does not apply to this procurement, because it is for telecommunications and information services, which may not be subject to any local preference, per state law.
M/WBE Participation:
The contract was awarded with a 15% M/WBE participation goal and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation has achieved 26% MWBE participation utilizing Access Data as its subcontractor.