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Item # 13.

Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	10/27/2020
Department:	Information Technology
Pillars:	Excellence in Asset Management Gold Standard in Customer Service Gold Standard in Public Safety
Milestones:	Improve communications and the use of technology

AGENDA CAPTION:

Consider Action on a Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Network Infrastructure from Solid IT Networks, Inc. and an End User License Agreement with Extreme Network for the Installation of Hardware, Software, and Ongoing Technical Support Services and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $158,441.27.

BACKGROUND:

We are facing the following challenges with the Town’s current computer network:

Performance – The current network infrastructure is an aging system that was designed and purchased in 2014. Since then, the Town has expanded its services and has implemented several new systems. These new services, systems, and additional staff are straining the current network.
Warranty – The extended warranties for this equipment will be expiring in a few months.

To address these issues, the Town is requesting to purchase an Extreme Networks system, including routers and switches, from Solid IT Networks. Solid IT Networks is a preferred vendor through Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). DIR is responsible for a cooperative contracts program that enables government entities to efficiently pool their purchasing power to drive down costs. The DIR program provides an effective procurement channel to thousands of public sector entities across Texas. DIR simplifies the procurement process for public sector entities throughout the State by releasing Request for Proposal (RFP) and choosing vendors at the State level whom can be selected by State agencies and Local governments.

Extreme Networks offers a system which is the leading solution in the market today. The proposed system includes twenty six (26) Access Ethernet Switches that will connect all the employees located in different buildings throughout the Town and the storefront to the Town’s network, four (4) Core Ethernet Switches for the main datacenter at the Service Center, four (4) Core Ethernet Switches for the backup datacenter at the Central Fire Station, and four (4) Storage Ethernet Switches that will connect the newly purchased storage units located at the Service Center and the Central Fire Station to the Town’s network. Our plan is to configure network devices during weekdays and install them on the weekends or after hours.

The total cost of the system implementation, including professional services and the extended warranty and support for 6 years, is $158,441.27. This item is budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2021 Information Technology Equipment Replacement Fund.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval.

Attachments
Resolution - Contract with Solid IT Networks, Inc.