PILLAR: Core
AGENDA DATE: December 10, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Department of Information and Technology Services
PRIORITY: Government Efficiency
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) a two-year cooperative purchasing agreement for Information Technology Research and Advisory services with Forrester Research, Inc. through the General Services Administration cooperative agreement in an amount not to exceed $578,000.00; and (2) a five-year cooperative purchasing agreement for Information Technology Research and Advisory services with Gartner, Inc. through the Department of Information Resources cooperative agreement in an amount not to exceed $12,473,459.00 for the Department of Information and Technology Services - Total not to exceed $13,051,459.00 - Financing: Data Services Fund ($11,636,699.00) and General Fund ($1,414,760.00) (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
These cooperative purchasing agreements will provide executive-level guidance, strategic frameworks, and technology market insights. The Department of Information and Technology (IT) Services currently leverages IT Research and Advisory Services through both Forrester Research, Inc. and Gartner, Inc. These services provide access to industry-leading research, benchmarking, and advisory expertise that directly support the City’s ongoing digital transformation, modernization, and customer experience initiatives. While Gartner focuses primarily on IT leadership development, strategic sourcing, and operational optimization, Forrester emphasizes customer experience, workforce readiness, and measurable business outcomes through technology adoption.
Forrester Research, Inc. Key benefits:
• Tech & Business Research: Leader in IT, Customer Experience (CX), and Transformation with research-backed guidance
• Peer Benchmarking: Comparative data from private and public industry leaders.
• Faster Execution: Proven tools to accelerate IT contracting and delivery progress: Forrester Wave , Total Economic Impact studies, and Future Fit Technology Strategy.
• Broad Support: Cross-Departmental sharing of CX and technical knowledge using tools like Izola AI bot built into Forrester’s research platform.
• Trend Response: Support to navigate emerging shifts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity
Gartner, Inc. Key benefits:
• Executive Programs: One-on-One guidance tailored to specific business and career needs for executives and senior leaders, including one-on-one analyst sessions and peer networking.
• Market Forecasts & Trends: Data-driven insights into IT spending, market shifts, and technology adoption across services. Magic Quadrants and Hype Cycles help visualize with solution and vendor comparisons which helps to make informed decisions and mitigate risk.
• Strategic Frameworks & Toolkits: Access ready-made resources for RFPs, business cases, governance models, and maturity assessments available through Gartner’s platform, including the Ask Gartner AI chatbot.
• Workshops & Events: Customized, facilitated sessions to evaluate current capabilities and identify improvement areas
The General Services Administration and Department of Information Resources cooperative agreements are authorized by Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and Subchapter F, Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code. Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code which 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)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Data Services |
$2,310,873.00 |
$2,449,024.00 |
$6,876,802.00 |
|
General Fund |
$266,474.00 |
$274,469.00 |
$873,817.00 |
|
Total |
$2,577,347.00 |
$2,723,493.00 |
$7,750,619.00 |
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
Forrester Research, Inc. |
Non-local |
0.00% |
|
Gartner, Inc. |
Non-local |
0.00% |
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 |
OWNERS/EXECUTIVES
Forrester Research, Inc
60 Acorn Park Drive
Cambridge, MA 02140
George F. Colony, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Gartner, Inc
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT 06902
Eugene A. Hall, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer