DATE:
October 18, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Casey Brooksher, Director of Administrative Services
Michael Assumma, Information Systems Manager
SUBJECT:
Network Switch Replacement
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Pricon INC to purchase ten (10) network switches and associated licensing & peripherals in an amount not-to-exceed $83,649, to replace the City’s aging network switches with current and supported models.
BACKGROUND
The City’s current network switches were purchased during Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 and have reached the end of the manufacturer’s recommended life cycle. Support and maintenance are no longer available to support the City’s current network switches, which has created additional burden when attempting to remediate increasingly frequent reliability issues. Newer network switches will have increased reliability, and technical support from the manufacturer, when necessary.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
In response to the City’s aging network switching infrastructure, staff conducted an evaluation of network switching needs at each City location. This evaluation took into consideration the required number and speed of ports and the required overall network throughout, both now and over the next 5+ years. Staff then performed research to determine the make and model of switches that would provide the City with the best value to meet the requirements.
A Request for Bids (RFB) was prepared with the City’s researched requirements. Professional services will not be needed with this purchase, as Information Technology (IT) Department staff can install this equipment. Specific switch models were requested, as determined by staff research, along with software licensing and peripheral equipment required for the switches per staff’s planned installed configuration.
In order to ensure a competitive bidding process, the Finance Division distributed the RFB by posting to the City of Hesperia and Public Purchase websites and to eighteen vendors of IT products via email. During the bidding window, nine sealed bids were received and evaluated by city staff. The selected bid was the lowest/responsive bid that met all of the requested requirements.
The requested purchase will bring all of the City’s network switches, at all locations, under manufacturer support and up to current industry standards. Additionally, the newer models will provide enhanced, modern features for cybersecurity & network monitoring. After this purchase, all of the City’s network switches will be part of a single manufacturer’s ecosystem, resulting in streamlined management of City network infrastructure, and reduced vendor-relations overhead.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this purchase has been included in the Adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Budget.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
None
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and City Council
Network Switch Replacement
October 18, 2022