CONSULTANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AND
XV SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE SCADA NETWORK CONSULTING
AND SUPPORT SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into on this 21st day of November, 2023 by and between XV Solutions (“Consultant”), and the City of Santa Ana, a charter city and municipal corporation organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of California (“City”).
RECITALS
A. On August 3, 2023, the City issued Request for Proposal No. 23-124, by which it sought a consultant to provide SCADA network consulting and support services for the Water Resources Division of the Public Works Agency.
B. Consultant submitted a responsive proposal that was selected by the City. Consultant represents that Consultant is able and willing to provide the services described in the scope of work that was included in RFP No. 23-124.
C. In undertaking the performance of this Agreement, Consultant represents that it is knowledgeable in its field and that any services performed by Consultant under this Agreement will be performed in compliance with such standards as may reasonably be expected from a professional consulting firm in the field.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual and respective promises, and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. SCOPE OF SERVICES
Consultant shall perform the services described in the Scope of Work section included within RFP No. 23-124, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit A, and as more specifically set forth in Consultant’s Proposal, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit B.
2. COMPE NSATION
a. City agrees to pay, and Consultant agrees to accept as total payment for its services for City, the rates and charges identified in Consultant’s Fee Proposal, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit C. The total amount to be expended under this Agreement, including any extension periods, shall not exceed $750,000.00. b. Payment by City shall be made within 45 days (forty-five) days following receipt of proper invoice evidencing work performed, subject to City accounting procedures.
Payment need not be made for work which fails to meet the standards of performance set forth in the Recitals which may reasonably be expected by City.
EXHIBIT 1
3. TERM
This Agreement shall commence on November 21, 2023 and terminate on November 20, 2026, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 16, below. The term of this Agreement may be extended for one (1), two (2) year period upon a writing executed by the City Manager and City Attorney
4. PREVAILING WAGES
Consultant is aware of the requirements of California Labor Code Section 1720, et seq., and 1770, et seq., as well as California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 16000, et seq., (“Prevailing Wage Laws”), which require the payment of prevailing wage rates and the performance of other requirements on “public works” and “maintenance” projects. If the services being performed are part of an applicable “public works” or “maintenance” project, as defined by the Prevailing Wage Laws, and the total compensation is $1,000 or more, Consultant agrees to fully comply with such Prevailing Wage Laws. Consultant shall defend, inde mnify and hold the City, its elected officials, officers, employees and agents free and harmless from any claim or liability arising out of any failure or alleged failure to comply with the Prevailing Wage Laws.
5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Consultant shall, d uring the entire term of this Agreement, be construed to be an independent contractor and not an employee of the City. This Agreement is not intended nor shall it be construed to create an employer -employee relationship, a joint venture relationship, or t o allow the City to exercise discretion or control over the professional manner in which Consultant performs the services which are the subject matter of this Agreement; however, the services to be provided by Consultant shall be provided in a manner consistent with all applicable standards and regulations governing such services. Consultant shall pay all salaries and wages, employer's social security taxes, unemployment insurance and similar taxes relating to employees and shall be responsible for all applicable withholding taxes.
6. OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS
This Agreement creates a non -exclusive and perpetual license for City to copy, use, modify, reuse, or sublicense any and all copyrights, designs, and other intellectual property embodied in plans, specifications, studies, drawings, estimates, and other documents or works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, including but not limited to, physical drawings or data magnetically or otherwise recorded on computer diskettes, which are prepared or caused to be prepared by Consultant under this Agreement (“Documents & Data”). Consultant shall require all subcontractors to agree in writing that City is granted a non -exclusive and perpetual license for any Documents & Data the subcontractor prepa res under this Agreement.
Consultant represents and warrants that Consultant has the legal right to license any and all Documents & Data. Consultant makes no such representation and warranty in regard to Documents & Data which were provided to Consultant by the City. City shall not be limited in any way in its use of the Documents and Data at any time, provided that any such use not within the purposes intended by this Agreement shall be at City’s sole risk.
7. INSURANCE
Consultant shall procure and maintain for the duration of the contract insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in conn ection with the performance of the work hereunder and the results of that work by the Consultant, its agents, representatives, employees or subcontractors.
a. Consultant shall not commence work for the City until it has provided evidence satisfactory to the City that it has secured all insurance required under this Section. In addition, Consultant shall not allow any subconsultant to commence work on any subcontract until it has secured all insurance required under this Section. b. Insurance coverage shall be at least as broad as:
(i) Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01 covering CGL on an “occurrence” basis, including products and completed operations, property damage, bodily injury and personal & advertisi ng injury with limits no less than $ 1,000,000.00 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location (ISO CG 25 03 or 25 04) or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
(ii) Automobile Liability: Insurance Services Office Form CA 0001 covering Code 1 (any auto), with limits no less than $ 1,000,000.00 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
(iii)Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California, with Statutory Limits, and Employer’s Liability Insurance with limit of no less than $1,000,000.00 per accident for bodily injury or disease. (iv) Professional Liability Insurance with limits no less than $ 1,000,000.00 per occurrence or claim, and $2,000,000.00 policy aggregate. (v) If the Consultant maintains broader coverage and/or higher limits than the minimums shown above, the City requires and shall be entitled to the broader coverage and/or the higher limits maintained by the Consu ltant. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
c. Other Insurance Provisions. The insurance policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:
(i) Additional Insured Status. The City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds on the CGL policy with respect to liability arising out of work or operations performed by or on behalf of the Consultant including materials, parts, or equipment furnished in
connection with such work or operations. General liability coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Consultant’s insurance (at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10, CG 20 26, CG 20 33, or CG 20 38; and CG 2037 forms if later revisions used). (ii) Primary Coverage. For any claims related to this contract, the Consultant’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance primary coverage at least as broad as ISO CG 20 0 1 04 13 as respects the City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance or self -insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers shall be excess of the Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it. (iii)Notice of Cancellation. Each insurance policy required above shall state that coverage shall not be canceled, except with notice to the City. (iv) Waiver of Subrogation. Consultant hereby grants to City a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of said Consultant may acquire against the City by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. Consultant agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of whether or not the City has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer. (v) Self-Insured Retentions. Self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. The City may require the Consultant to purchase coverage with a lower retention or provide proof of ability to pay losses and related investigations, claim administration, and defense expenses within the retention.
The policy language shall provide, or be endorsed to provi de, that the self - insured retention may be satisfied by either the named insured or City. (vi) Acceptability of Insurers. Insurance is to be placed with insurers authorized to conduct business in the state with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A:VII, unless otherwise acceptable to the City.
(vii) Claims Made Policies. If any of the required policies provide coverage on a claims-made basis:
• The Retroactive Date must be shown and must be before the date of the contract or the beginning of contract work.
• Insurance must be maintained and evidence of insurance must be provided for at least five (5) years after completion of the contract of work.
• If coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a Retroactive Date prior to the contract effective date, the Contractor must purchase “extended reporting” coverage for a minimum of five (5) years after completion of contract work.
(viii) Verification of Coverage. Consultant shall furnish the City with original Certificates of Insurance including all required amendatory endorsements (or copies of the applicable policy language effecting coverage required by this clause) and a copy of the Declarations and Endorsement Page of the CGL policy listing all policy endorsements to City before work begins. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive the Consultant’s obligation to provide them. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time. Certificate Holder must be addressed as follows:
City of Santa Ana
Risk Management Division
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92702
(ix) Subcontractors. Consultant shall require and verify that all subcontractors maintain insurance meeting all the requirements stated herein, and Consultant shall ensure that City is an additional insured on insurance required from subcontractors.
(x) Special Risks or Circumstances. City reserves the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
Consultant agrees to defend, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, employees, contractors, special counsel, and representatives from liability: (1) for personal injury, damages, just compensation, restitution, judicial or equitable relief arising out of claims for personal injury, including death, and claims for property damage, which may arise from the negligent operations of the Con sultant, its subcontractors, agents, employees, or other persons acting on its behalf which relates to the services described in section 1 of this Agreement; and (2) from any claim that personal injury, damages, just compensation, restitution, judicial or equitable relief is due by reason of the terms of or effects arising from this Agreement. This indemnity and hold harmless agreement applies to all claims for damages, just compensation, restitution, judicial or equitable relief suffered, or alleged to have been suffered, by reason of the events referred to in this Section or by reason of the terms of, or effects, arising from this Agreement. The Consultant further agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and pay all costs for the defense of the City, including fees and costs for special counsel to be selected by the City, regarding any action by a third party challenging the validity of this Agreement, or asserting that personal injury, damages, just compensation, restitution, judicial or equitable relief due to personal or property rights arises by reason of the terms of, or effects arising from this Agreement. City may make all reasonable decisions with respect to its representation in any legal proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Consultant’s services are subject to Civil Code Section 2782.8, the above indemnity shall be limited, to the ex tent required by Civil Code Section 2782.8, to claims that arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the Consultant.
9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNIFICATION
Consultant shall defend and indemnify the City , its officers, agents, representatives, and employees against any and all liability, including costs, for infringement of any United States’ letters patent, trademark, or copyright infringement, including costs, contained in the work product or documents provided by Consultant to the City pursuant to this Agreement.
10. RECORDS
Consultant shall keep records and invoices in connection with the work to be performed under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to the costs incurred under this Agreement and any services, expenditures, and disbursements charged to the City for a minimum period of three (3) years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date of final payment to Consultant under this Agreeme nt. All such records and invoices shall be clearly identifiable. Consultant shall allow a representative of the City to examine, audit, and make transcripts or copies of such records and any other documents created pursuant to this Agreement during regular business hours. Consultant shall allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to this Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment to Consultant under this Agreement.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY
If Consultant receives from the City information which due to the nature of such information is reasonably understood to be confidential and/or proprietary, Consultant agrees that it shall not use or disclose such information except in the performance of th is Agreement, and further agrees to exercise the same degree of care it uses to protect its own information of like importance, but in no event less than reasonable care. “Confidential Information” shall include all nonpublic information. Confidential inf ormation includes not only written information, but also information transferred orally, visually, electronically, or by other means. Confidential information disclosed to either party by any subsidiary and/or agent of the other party is covered by this Agreement. The foregoing obligations of non-use and nondisclosure shall not apply to any information that (a) has been disclosed in publicly available sources; (b) is, through no fault of the Consultant disclosed in a publicly available source; (c) is in r ightful possession of the Consultant without an obligation of confidentiality; (d) is required to be disclosed by operation of law; or (e) is independently developed by the Consultant without reference to information disclosed by the City.
12. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CLAUSE
Consultant covenants that it presently has no interests and shall not have interests, direct or indirect, which would conflict in any manner with performance of services specified under this Agreement.
13. NON-DISCRIMINATION
Consultant shall not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status,
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender, medical conditions, genetic information, or military and veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, or disab ility, as defined and prohibited by applicable law, in the recruitment, selection, teaching, training, utilization, promotion, termination or other employment related activities or any services provided under this Agreement. Consultant affirms that it is an equal opportunity employer and shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
14. EXCLUSIVITY AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement represents the complete and exclusive statement between the City and Consultant, and supersedes any and all other agreements, oral or written, between the parties. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and any attachments hereto, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. This Agreement may not be modified except by written instrument signed by the City and by an authorized representative of Consultant. The parties agree that any terms or conditions of any purchase order or other instrument that are inconsistent with, or in addition to, the terms and conditions hereof, shall not bind or obligate Consultant or the City. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which is not embodied herein.
15. ASSIGNMENT
Inasmuch as this Agreement is intended to secure the specialized services of Consultant, Consultant may not assign, transfer, delegate, or subcontract any interest herein without the prior written consent of the City and any such a ssignment, transfer, delegation or subcontract without the City's prior written consent shall be considered null and void. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the City’s ability to have any of the services which are the subject to this Agreement performed by City personnel or by other consultants retained by City.
16. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated by the City upon thirty (30) days written notice of termination. In such event, Consultant shall be entitled to receive and the City shall pay Consultant compensation for all services performed by Consultant prior to recei pt of such notice of termination, subject to the following conditions:
a. As a condition of such payment, the Executive Director may require Consultant to deliver to the City all work product(s) completed as of such date, and in such case such work product shall be the property of the City unless prohibited by law, and Consultant consents to the City's use thereof for such purposes as the City deems appropriate.
b. Payment need not be made for work which fails to meet the standard of performance specified in the Recitals of this Agreement.
17. WAIVER
No waiver of breach, failure of any condition, or any right or remedy contained in or granted by the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party waiving the breach, failure, right or remedy. No waiver of any breach, failure or right, or remedy shall be deemed a waiver of any other breach, failure, right or remedy, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless the writing so specifies.
18. JURISDICTION - VENUE
This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the State of California and the validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of any of the clauses of this Agreement shall be determined and governed by the law s of the State of California. Both parties further agree that Orange County, California, shall be the venue for any action or proceeding that may be brought or arise out of, in connection with or by reason of this Agreement.
19. PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Consultant shall, throughout the term of this Agreement, maintain all necessary licenses, permits, approvals, waivers, and exemptions necessary for the provision of the services hereunder and required by the laws and regulations of the United States, the State of California, the City of Santa Ana and all other governmental agencies. Consultant shall notify the City immediately and in writing of its inability to obtain or maintain such permits, licenses, approvals, waivers, and exemptions. Said inability shall be cause for termination of this Agreement.
20. NOTICE
Any notice, tender, demand, delivery, or other communication pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be properly given if delivered in person or mailed by first class or certified mail, postage prepaid, or sent by fax or other telegraphic communication in the manner provided in this Section, to the following persons:
To City:
City Clerk
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, CA 92702-1988
Fax: 714- 647-6956
With courtesy copies to:
Nabil Saba
Executive Director, Public Works Agency
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-21)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
Fax: 714- 647-5635
To Consultant:
A party may change its address by giving notice in writing to the other party. Thereafter, any communication shall be addressed and transmitted to the new address. If sent by mail, communication shall be effective or deemed to have been given three (3) days after it has been deposited in the United States mail, duly registered or certified, with po stage prepaid, and addressed as set forth above. If sent by fax, communication shall be effective or deemed to have been given twenty-four (24) hours after the time set forth on the transmission report issued by the transmitting facsimile machine, address ed as set forth above. For purposes of calculating these time frames, weekends, federal, state, County or City holidays shall be excluded.
21. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
a. Each undersigned represents and warrants that its signature herein below has the power, authority and right to bind their respective parties to each of the terms of this Agreement, and shall indemnify City fully, including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees, for any injuries or damages to City in the event that such authority or power is not, in fact, held by the signatory or is withdrawn. b. All Exhibits referenced herein and attached hereto shall be incorporated as if fully set forth in the body of this Agreement.
[signatures contained on following page]
XV Solutions
22013 Lakeland Ave
Lake Forest, CA 92618
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
EXHIBIT B
CONSULTANT’S PROPOSAL
XV Solutions
P.O. Box 28373
3101 W. Sunflower Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92799
Water Resources
SCADA Network
Consulting and
Support Services
RFP Response, BI D# 23 -124
Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 1
Table of Contents
Statement of Qualifications ............................................................................................................... 2 Firm and Personnel Experience...................................................................................................... 2 About XV Solutions .................................................................................................................... 2 Brief History .......................................................................................................................... 2 About Servando Varela .............................................................................................................. 2 Experience & Background ...................................................................................................... 2 Relevant Project Experience ......................................................................................................... 3 Description of Services and Scope of Services .................................................................................... 5 Understanding of the City’s Needs ................................................................................................. 5 ATTACHMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 12
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Statement of Qualifications
Firm and Personnel Experience
About XV Solutions
XV Solutions is an IT consulting company focused on providing best-in-class service to small and medium size organizations. We strive to provide our clients with customized IT solutions, to enable them to run their core work functions and relieve them from the burdens of managing IT. We have strong technical expertise that allows us to deliver innovation-driven solutions, no matter how complex the business problem may be.
Our service offering is spread across:
➢ SCADA Design and Development, using Wonderware and DYNAC ES ➢ IT Networking and Cybersecurity
➢ IT Servers and Applications Support
➢ Storage and Backup
➢ Custom Application Design and Programming
Brief History
XV Solutions was founded in 2010 and has been providing services to the City of Santa Ana’s Water Division group for nearly 9-years. Servando Varela is the owner, who personally handles all client engagements.
About Servando Varela
Servando has been working in the IT industry for 25 years. He started his career working for the City of Santa Ana’s Water Division as an Engineering Intern, in 1997. While working for the Water Division, Servando’s responsibilities included running daily backups, network support, and custom
application programming using MS Visual Basic and MS SQL Server.
Experience & Background
In the year 2000, Servando went to work for FileNet Corporation as a Software Engineering Intern.
He was hired as a permanent employee in early 2002, immediately after he completed his B.S.
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degree in Computer Science and Engineering from CSULB. While at FileNet, Servando was responsible for programming automated tests using various programming languages and his responsibilities included setting up test environments. Setting up the test environments deepened Servando’s expertize with various operating systems (Windows, AIX/Unix and Linux), database servers (MSSQL, Oracle, and IBM DB2), application servers (Microsoft Internet Information Services, WebLogic, and IBM WebSphere), and networking equipment (switches, routers, VPNs, and firewalls).
In addition to the Computer Science and Engineering degree, Servando also holds an advanced degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University. He has formal training in project management, agile software development, Cybersecurity, Wonderware development and SCADA system management.
Relevant Project Experience
XV Solutions has been working for the City of Santa Ana’s Water Division group, servicing an array of IT related issues.
• September 2023: Implement Wonderware SCADA for the City of Santa Ana. This involved setting up the hardware and then implementing every Water Production site on the Wonderware SCADA platform, starting with Walnut Pumping Station. We created templates for pumps, valves, reservoirs, and all other devices that were used to standardize the implementation of the SCADA system. We have implemented every site that is running on Dynac ES and are planning to move off of DYNAC ES altogether later this year.
Customer: City of Santa Ana, Water Resources Division.
• February, 2019: Implement the Wonderware Historian plus Dream Report (reporting software) and design the daily, weekly and monthly Water Production reports. The work included working with Wonderware to ensure their product would meet the City of Santa Ana’s need, size the hardware requirements, assist with the procurement requirements for the hardware and the software, install the new hardware and software, apply cybersecurity measures to the new operating systems, configure the software to talk to the field devices and collect data, and complete the implementation of all of the reports by collaborating on the design with City staff.
Customer: City of Santa Ana, Water Resources Division.
• November 2018: We have experience running DYNAC ES (SCADA) in a production environment. Also, maintaining the hardware and software, plus SCADA development, such as implementing new sites. We implemented Walnut Pump Station on DYNAC ES in November 2018. Walnut Pump Station was re-built and 4 new PLCs (M340s) were put in place to manage the system. The PLCs were programmed by a Consultant, with whom we Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 4
collaborated to ensure we configured DYNAC ES properly. The Consultant provided the taglist and XV Solutions implemented the taglist on the DYNAC ES SCADA system; then we did a series of testing to ensure everything was mapped properly. Walnut Pump Station has a total of 5 booster pumps and 3 well pumps, a backup generator, plus many other instruments that are monitored/controlled by DYNAC ES. The same implementation was carried forward and improved in the Wonderware project, described above, while DYNAC continues to run.
Customer: City of Santa Ana, Water Resources Division.
• August 2013: Replaced the APC UPS Symmetra battery for the City of Santa Ana, Water Resources Division. As part of this replacement, we also increased the number of batteries to allow extend the runtime on the APC UPS and added an external bypass switch to the system. XV Solutions has also been maintaining the SCADA servers for the City for the last 10 years, including the Red Hat servers and SCADA workstations.
Customer: City of Santa Ana, Water Resources Division.
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Description of Services and Scope of Services
Understanding of the City’s Needs
Each row represents XV Solutions’ response to the RFP requirements outlined in the SCOPE OF WORK section.
Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
1 On-Call
Accessibility
Y Unlimited 24/7 remote and on-site technical support. Service calls will be responded within 6 hours. In the event that hardware or software services need immediate repair, XV Solutions will arrive at the job site within 24 hours of approval from the City to commence work. We understand that the normal business hours are from 7am to 5pm, Monday through Friday and any time outside of the business hours may be considered after hours/weekends.
2 System
Diagnosis and
Repair
Services
Y We can install, maintain, troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair both DYANC ES and Wonderware SCADA systems in production. XV Solutions is familiar with DYNAC ES, which is a SCADA software product that runs on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating system. XV Solutions has experience with IT support for the DYNAC ES servers to ensure they are running in dual mode and respond when the primary server fails and the secondary server takes control in a production environment. XV Solutions is also experienced with the Linux operating system in the areas of networking, security, backup and restore. XV Solutions also experience maintaining the AVEVA System Platform (also called Wonderware), which runs on a Windows distributed architecture and needs several servers to operate (Historian, Application Servers, Galaxy Repository, Dream Report) and operates uses MSSQL Server.
3 Core Infrastructure and Network Assessments
3—a Network
Performance &
Security
Y We are experienced in analyzing network efficiency utilizing network monitoring tools such as 'netstat' and Wireshark, to monitor incoming/outgoing network connections, routing tables, and network interfaces. We also have demonstrable experience with MDS radios, creating virtual networks and connecting sites with networking trunks.
We are also familiar with Dell DRAC, which monitors the health of the servers to identity any failures and provide the administrator with information to isolate components with problems.
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Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
3—b Firewall
Maintenance
Y Firewalls are used to isolate the internal network from external threats, by implementing packet filtering and application gateways.
Cisco and Netgear periodically release firmware patches to update hardware/software firewall components needed to maintain security definitions up-to-date. XV Solutions has experience in both implementing and maintaining firewalls.
3—c Server/Desktop
Virus Protection
Y XV Solutions understand the importance of protecting assets against malicious software attacks. It is critical to maintain anti-virus software up-to-date, given viruses are released into the web daily.
We are experienced with Symantec and McAfee anti-virus tools to monitor and prevent virus and malware intrusion.
3—d Routine Backups Y We are experienced in configuring scheduled-automatic backups to prevent data-loss due to hardware failures, database corruption, and natural disasters. We've configured the Water Division's backup process, to send alerts to SysAdmins when a failure is detected and/or the backup process fails. XV Solutions takes an active approach to ensure the data is backed-up safely, by performing periodic restore jobs to validate the backup process is reliable and functional.
3—e Remote Access Y Establishing secure remote access can be done via VPN or Citrix. VPN provides a secure & encrypted communication tunnel to allow the use of tools such as RDP or VNC. These tools allow secure-remote connectivity to servers/computers within the network. XV Solutions is experienced in creating VPN gateways, and training staff on methods to securely connect into internal networks.
3—f Private Network
Security
Y Remote connections are validated for access into the private secured network via two different methods: (1) the VPN profile for each user has unique feature codes that are only known to the City of Santa Ana devices. This prevents brute force attacks into the VPN from external threats. (2) The SCADA server configuration for DYNAC ES contains specific end-point devices and their IP addresses that are allowed access to the SCADA portal. XV Solutions is familiar with both access control validation methods for remote connections.
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Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
3—g Static/Dynamic
IP Address
Management
Y XV Solutions has experience managing both Dynamic IP addresses, which are typically used for mobile devices and workstations, and static IP addresses, which are usually required for servers.
Dynamic IP addresses are managed with a DHCP Server. Windows Server operating systems, such as Windows 2008, Windows 2019, and Windows 2022 come with a built-in DHCP Server service that can be turned on and configured to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices connected to the network. Some appliances, like the Netgear SRX5308 also come with a built-in DHCP server that can be used for this purpose.
Critical servers, like SCADA servers, SMTP/Email servers, Microsoft SharePoint, and other application servers require a static IP address.
Static IP addresses can be reserved in a DHCP server.
3—h RAID
Configuration
Support
Y RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of grouping multiple hard-drives, so that the OS views multiple drives as one logical drive. There are several advantages to RAID configurations, such as increased read/write performance and redundancy. XV Solutions has expertise in creating various types of RAID configurations, and has configured RAID-5 for the Water Resources Division.
3—i VPN Support Y Knowledge in configuring Netgear VPN Router and Cisco ASA/NGFW firewalls to allow external systems VPN access to internal network. 3—j Network
Redundancy
Y Yes, we have experienced implementing redundant VPNs using CISCO NGFW devices, with two identical devices that have a primary online device and a secondary standby device, so that we can maintain an HA (highly availability) for the firewall/vpn devices and reduce remote access outages.
3-k Reporting Y Yes, monthly reports can be easily prepared and delivered via email, posted on the SharePoint server, added to a file server, or any other method that is convenient or desired.
3-l MDS Radio
Support
Y MDS Radios can receive and send transmission to SCADA PLCs. The SCADA servers need to be connected to the same Ethernet network where the MDS Radio is dropping network packets; so that the SCADA server can process the packets received and also send out changes to PLCs. XV Solutions is experienced with networking requirements for MDS Radios and verifying that they are working properly for SCADA operations.
3-m Server Software
Maintenance
Y XV Solutions has experience in managing and applying patches via several methods: (1) Command line updates for Linux distributions. (2) Manually deploying Windows Updates via the Desktop. (3) Remote software deployment using tools such as SSCM or Desktop Authority.
Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 8
Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
3-n APC Symmetra Y The APC Symmetra is a modular, redundant, backup battery for enterprise servers. It has multiple controller cards, so that if one fails the other takes over and multiple battery modules that allows for redundancy and capacity expansion. We are familiar with monitoring the APC Symmetra type systems, configuring email alerts that report the status and health of the battery and its modules, capacity sizing, and dealing with Schnieder Electric, the APC Symmetra vendor. In 2013, XV Solutions managed the replacement and upgrade of the APC Symmetra for the City of Santa Ana, Water Production Server Room. The replacement and upgrade was executed on time and without any issues.
3-o SharePoint
Maintenance &
Support
Y In 2014, XV Solutions developed an automated method to transfer hundreds of documents into the City of Santa Ana's SharePoint server repositories. We are experienced at building SharePoint tools for additional functionality, as well as architecting SharePoint document libraries to standardize the ways in which organizations store documents. We typically create custom item types and site in order to search, find and retrieve documents efficiently. 3-p VMware
vSphere Support
Y Yes, XV Solutions has experience deploying VMWare vSphere. The vSphere platform can be optimized for performance using various methods, including: setting up the RAID configuration and swap partitions for the VMWare servers, so that each server using its own LUN; ensuring that the CPU capacity is properly partitioned per VMWare server; allocating enough memory for each virtual server; and following other best practices and techniques for virtualization environments. XV Solutions has experience setting up complete vSphere environments.
3-q NASSCO Sewer
Rating System
Programming
Support
Y XV Solutions is familiar with the NASSCO sewer rating system. CCTV sewer reports are usually accompanied by a small Microsoft Access Database file that contains the NASSCO ratings for the pipe. XV Solutions has completed a project for the City of Santa Ana, Water Department where we programmatically extract the NASSCO ratings from the Access Database and aggregate them into a Microsoft SQL Server. The SQL Server database is then accessed via a custom-built application that allows Water Department employees to query CCTV reports by NASSCO rating and identify the sewer pipe segments that need the most attention.
Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 9
Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
3-r ICU Ticket
Troubleshooting
Y The ICU Tickets system is a client side software application that received USA DigAlert notifications. The ICU software is an aging 32- bit Microsoft Windows Application. It allows the printing of the tickets and storing of tickets for future use, reference, and for retention compliance. XV Solutions is familiar with this software. In March 2014, XV Solutions migrated the ICU Tickets software for the City of Santa Ana from an old Windows XP workstation to a new Windows 7 32-bit workstation
3-s Wonderware
Historian
Y We have experience maintain the Wonderware Historian in production. We have also installed the Historian and configured it to historize data coming from field devices/PLCs to keep the timeseries data available for reports and trend analysis. We can also maintain the software and hardware for the historian, including storage. XV Solutions originally implemented the Historian for the City of Santa Ana and has kept it running without issues since 2019.
3-t DYNAC and
AVEVA System
Platform
Y Yes, we have over 10 years of experience maintain DYNAC environments in production. We have exported the Dynac configuration, which exports in XML, and re-implemented the objects in Aveva System Platform (also called Wonderware). DYNAC uses the concept of “digital devices” to aggregate and define how multiple bits will simulate field devices and those need to be properly re-interpreted and implemented in Wonderware so it behaves the same and we end up with the same SCADA functionality which is needed by the Water Department operators.
3-u SCADA system
inventory and
management
Y It’s important to keep a current list of inventory of all SCADA system components for several reasons, including: maintenance, hardware refresh planning and for cybersecurity purposes. We can help the City maintain such inventory and provided anytime upon request. 4 Ongoing Support and Maintenance Services
4—a Proactive
Infrastructure
Maintenance
Y We believe in continuous improvement and implementing industry standard methods of operation to make your network most effective and efficient. XV Solutions performs routine hard-drive health tests, server performance monitoring, and server software maintenance to prevent failures from happening, and keep the infrastructure running smoothly.
Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 10
Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
4—b 24/7 Server,
Network, and
Workstation
Monitoring
Y Monitoring the overall health of servers, network, and workstations is done by utilizing health monitoring tools that enable Event Tracing and performance monitoring. XV Solutions has experience configuring systems to send notification and alerts when systems fail-over or immediate actions are required to ensure system uptime. 4—c Remote
Network
Management
Y Familiar with Dell DRAC, allowing remote console for managing remote servers and us of Dell KVM switches, to remotely connect to any computer connected to the switch.
4—d Anti-Virus
Management
Y In addition to services provided in 3—c (see above); XV Solutions has services routinely run system anti-virus scans.
4-e Security
Management
Y We’ll provide cybersecurity services, including the implementation of firewalls, penetration testing, cybersecurity assessments, and implementation of SIEM and SOAR platforms (SIEM, Security Information and Event Management; SOAR, Security Orchestration, Automation and Response).
4-f Reporting on
infrastructure
improvement
Y Will do reporting of infrastructure improvements for operations of new and existing facilities, upon request by City staff 4-g System
Documentation
Y Will create and maintain SCADA system documentation
4-h Hardware &
Software Patch
and Upgrade
Support
Y XV Solutions is pro-active in updating/patching software & hardware devices as described in 3—m.
4-i On-Site
Support
Y XV Solutions has on-site services: server/desktop installation and maintenance, hardware/software troubleshooting, routine backups, miscellaneous projects, ad-hoc reports and software upgrades.
Water Resources SCADA Network Consulting and Support Services| RFP # 23-124 Page 11
Req Description Support XV Solutions Response
4-j System
Upgrades
Y Will provide system upgrades on Water operations infrastructure 4-k Collaborate
with City IT
Support
Y We value building relationships with clients and working closely with IT staff to better serve you. XV Solutions is familiar with the responsibilities of the City of Santa Ana central IT department and how they relate to the Water Production SCADA network. XV Solutions has skillfully worked on collaborative projects with central IT, including the installation of the T1 line for SCADA notifications, and the upgrade of the ICU Tickets system.
5 Ongoing Maintenance and Support
Training
Services
Y XV Solutions will provide comprehensive training to the Water Resources staff on the DYNAC ES and AVEVA System Platform (Wonderware) and all of it’s components, such as TopView, as it relates to the overall City’s SCADA system for the Water Department.
We’ll also develop instructional manuals and standard operating procedures as additional training resources when necessary.
ATTACHMENTS AND
CERTIFICATIONS
EXHIBIT C
CONSULTANT’S FEE PROPOSAL
(including hourly rates if applicable)