CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
Item No.
SUBJECT: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Commerce, California, Approving an Agreement with IBE Digital for IT Remediation Services MEETING DATE: January 14, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement with IBE Digital for IT Remediation Services for the City of Commerce.
BACKGROUND:
The City‘s Information Technology (IT) Division is tasked with providing technical support, systems analysis and implementation, and data center operations and support. Staff assigned to the IT Division work under the general direction of the City Manager’s Office and provide the following services:
Serve as the primary point of contact for internal customers seeking technical assistance through phone, email, or in person Provide technical assistance and support for all incoming queries related to systems, hardware, and software related issues Investigate issues to determine the best solution based on prior knowledge, findings, and details provided by department end users These services are performed at City facilities for all City employees who directly and indirectly utilize IT solutions. Currently, the City’s IT Division is staffed with two (2) IT Specialists.
In August 2023, a cybersecurity incident destabilized the City’s network causing disruption to email services, files, and servers. An Incident Response (IR) team was deployed and provided immediate assistance to the City by working with IT staff to implement security measures. The IR team also worked to identify the source of the network disruption. While the root cause of the incident could not be definitively determined, the City subsequently entered into an agreement with IBE Digital to undergo a comprehensive network assessment. The goal of this assessment was to identify areas where measures could be taken to fortify the City’s network against future threats. In addition, the City upgraded its email services from and on-premise Exchange service to Microsoft 365, which provides enhanced security through encryption and multi-factor authentication.
ANALYSIS:
The proposal submitted by IBE Digital includes a comprehensive set of equipment and service solutions to address the previous disruption caused to the City’s files and servers and minimizes the potential for future disruptions. Specific action items being proposed include the citywide implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA), the replacement of end-of-life compute and storage equipment in the City’s Data Center, the development of IT documentation and Business Continuity Planning. With an increasing number of users that require hardware and software solutions, and the threat that future cybersecurity incidents pose, the demand for IT services is higher than before.
Staff recommends contracting with IBE Digital to assist with remediating the City’s IT infrastructure, which will safeguard the City’s network.
IBE Digital is a minority-owned, Southern California-based IT consultant. They specialize in providing solutions and services for the public sector. In addition, IBE is an authorized dealer of various computer hardware, software, and IT services. They provide competitively bid pricing available through multiple Sourcewell and NCPA cooperative agreements. See contract numbers below:
Project Services pricing from Sourcewell Contract # 030321-KON Hardware/ Software pricing from NCPA Contract: 01-170
The City can use these agreements to procure the necessary services without engaging in the standard bidding process pursuant to City of Commerce Municipal Code Chapter 3.16.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the City Council decides to approve the Remediation Services Agreement with IBE Digital, an appropriation totaling $970,901 from the General Fund’s Unallocated Fund Balance (Reserves) will also need to be approved for the following one-time costs:
Professional Services: $479,275
Hardware / Software: $491,625.79
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
Recommended by: Kevin Torres, Information Technology Specialist Approved As To Form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney Respectfully Submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
ATTACHMENT:
Resolution
Price Quote