STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Workforce, Education & Equity
AGENDA DATE: August 28, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Department of Information and Technology Services
EXECUTIVE: Donzell Gipson
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to the cooperative purchasing agreement with Netsync Network Solutions, Inc. for the acquisition of increased capacity, security devices, hardware, sensors, connectivity services, and support services of the MixMode cybersecurity tool for the City’s Security Event and Incident Management (SEIM) - Not to exceed $851,396.50, from $3,911,167.45 to $4,762,563.95 - Financing: 2024 Master Lease-Equipment Fund
Body
BACKGROUND
This Supplemental Agreement No. 1 will provide for the acquisition of increased capacity, security devices, hardware, sensors, connectivity services, and support services of the MixMode cybersecurity tool for the City’s Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM). MixMode will serve as the Department of Information and Technology Service’s (ITS) crucial cybersecurity tool for SEIM, which the Security Operations Center (SOC) staff will utilize to protect against both internal and external cybersecurity threats, including potential ransomware.
This Supplemental Agreement No. 1 will allow ITS to take a significant step forward in its cybersecurity monitoring technology. MixMode is an on-premises SEIM tool. Additionally, this cybersecurity tool provides improved data storage capabilities for investigative purposes around cyber and log events and reduces false threat alerts through its Artificial Intelligence capabilities. MixMode will increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time currently spent screening false positive alerts, and by incorporating greater automation.
Key Benefits to upgrade of MixMode cybersecurity system:
• Increased efficiency for SOC staff
• Decreased false positive security alerts
• Cloud-native platform will decrease the need for on-site storage
• 24/7/365 days of monitoring the City’s cybersecurity environment with the most crucial and accurate cybersecurity alerts.
The Cooperative Purchase Agreement is authorized by Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and Subchapter F, Chapter 271 of the Texas Local Government Code. Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes a local government to participate in a Cooperative Purchasing Program with another local government or a local cooperative organization.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 28, 2023, the City Council authorized a three-year cooperative purchasing agreement for the acquisition and service maintenance and support of a threat and anomaly detection system for the Department of Information and Technology Services with Netsync Network Solutions through the Interlocal Purchasing System cooperative agreement, by Resolution No. 23-0897.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
Future Years |
|
2024 Master Lease-Equipment Fund |
$851,396.50 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
|
$851,396.50 |
Other Services |
N/A |
|
M/WBE Subcontracting % |
M/WBE Overall % |
M/WBE Overall Participation $ |
|
N/A |
100.00% |
$851,396.50 |
|
• The Business Inclusion and Development Policy does not apply to Other Service contracts, however the prime contractor is a certified M/WBE. |
|
• Netsync Network Solutions, Inc. - Non-local; Workforce - 22.50% Local |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Method of Evaluation for Award Type:
|
Cooperative Purchasing Agreement |
• Cooperative purchasing agreements enable the City to associate with State agencies, other local governments, or local cooperative organizations comprised of other state and local governments, to leverage market buying power and enable the City to purchase goods or services at lower prices |
|
|
• The cooperative purchasing agreement is an alternative method of meeting the requirements for competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals, not an exception from that requirement |
OWNER
Netsync Network Solutions, Inc.
2500 West Loop South
Suite 410
Houston, TX 77027
Ingrid M. Robinson - President