Fremont City Council Meeting: 03/18/25 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Information Technology Services Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5378) DOC ID: 5378
Updated: 3/14/2025 11:21 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
WEB CONTENT MONITORING AND SECURITY SOFTWARE RENEWAL - Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Issue Purchase Orders and to Execute Implementing Documents with Solutions Simplified, for the Annual Software Licenses of the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security.
Contact Persons:
Name: Jeremy Huynh Sanford Taylor
Title: Management Analyst II IT Director
Div/Dept: Information Technology Services IT Services
Phone: (510) 494-4847 510-494-4802
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The City’s annual purchase order for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security license renewal expires on April 30, 2025. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to issue purchase orders and execute implementing documents with Solutions Simplified, for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security license renewal in an amount not to exceed $191,475 for a three-year term.
BACKGROUND: The Information Technology Services (ITS) Cybersecurity Program continues to expand the City’s capability to monitor, in real-time, city-wide information system assets for anomalies and malicious behaviors, which result in the detection and reductions in response time to cyberthreats such as malware, ransomware, distributed denial of service (DDoS), spoofing, backdoor, tampering, spam, and phishing attacks.
In FY 2021/22, the City tested and deployed a web content and security software called Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA). This technology offers 24/7 protection for City staff and City information systems from malicious internet websites and bad actors when employees are using the internet whether in the office or away from the office.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: City Staff developed a Request for Bids (RFB #25-019) that was issued and posted on Periscope Holdings (BidSync.com) in January 2025. In response to the RFB, the City received 6 bids for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security Solution renewal, from Axelliant LLC, CDW Government LLC, Kambrian Corporation, Software Information Resource Corporation, Solutions Simplified, and vCloud Tech Inc.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5378) Meeting of March 18, 2025 Updated: 3/14/2025 11:21 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
Bid Results: Bids for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security Solution renewal were opened on February 11, 2025. The bidders with their respective bid amounts are shown below.
Bidder Bid Amount
1 Solutions Simplified $ 191,475.00
2 Axelliant LLC $ 199,620.62
3 vCloud Tech Inc. $ 200,119.74
4 Software Information Resource Corporation $ 201,561.87 5 Kambrian Corporation $ 202,537.50
6 CDW Government LLC $ 212,455.38
The lowest bidder for this software licenses renewal, Solutions Simplified, submitted a responsive bid and all documents are in order. A notice of intent to award a contract to Solutions Simplified was posted on February 14, 2025.
Staff recommends renewing the software licenses for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security Solution for an additional three years with Solutions Simplified.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security renewal is appropriated in the Information Technology Services Department Operating Fund (Fund 620) in the FY 2024/25 adopted operating budget. Funding for subsequent years will be requested as part of the City’s annual budget process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The renewal of computer software licenses is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to issue purchase orders and to execute implementing documents with Solutions Simplified, for the Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Web Monitoring and Security renewal in an amount not to exceed $191,475 for a three-year term.