DATE: October 13, 2016
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION SELECTING AND AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH DIMENSION DATA FOR STORAGE AREA NETWORK REPLACEMENT SERVICES, FOR ONE YEAR AND A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $299,963.62
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The District currently uses three storage area network devices to efficiently manage almost 150 terabytes of data. These devices are near capacity and have reached end-of-life.
Request for proposal 16-24SN was issued on June 28, 2016 for Storage Area Network Replacement equipment and services. Eight responses were received of which five were deemed responsive. After Interviewing all five responsive firms District staff conducted a decision analysis and determined Dimension Data North America, Incorporated’s (Dimension Data) proposal to be the most comprehensive and providing the best value to the District.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Selecting and Authorizing an Agreement with Dimension Data North America, Incorporated for Storage Area Network Replacement Services for a Period Not to Exceed One Year and a Total Amount Not to Exceed $299,963.62.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
The maximum cost to the District is estimated at $299,963.62. Funds for the agreement are budgeted in the FY16/17 Technology Management Program budget in the Business Information and Technology Services Equipment Outlay account. Funds needed for future fiscal year(s) will be budgeted in the appropriate fiscal year and cost account, subject to Board approval upon adoption of each fiscal year’s budget.
Compass Strategic Goals:
This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A Port that the public understands and trusts.
• A thriving and modern maritime seaport.
• A Port with an innovative and motivated workforce.
• A financially sustainable Port that drives job creation and regional economic vitality.
• Not applicable.
DISCUSSION:
The District currently uses three storage area network (SAN) devices to efficiently manage almost 150 terabytes of data. A SAN is a computer network device that provides shared access to data by many computers. SANs allow for centralized management and backup of critical data by eliminating the more traditional direct attached storage where each computer has direct attached storage.
Sharing storage simplifies administration of large volumes of data and adds flexibility since cables and storage devices do not have to be physically moved to shift storage from one server to another. For instance, servers boot from a “disk” on the SAN allowing for quick and easy replacement of faulty servers. Replacements can be done by reconfiguring the SAN to point the new server to the boot “disk” of the faulty server. Additionally, SANs enable effective disaster recovery processes using replication technology.
The current District SAN devices are near capacity and have reached end-of-life. Request for proposal 16-24SN was issued on June 28, 2016 for Storage Area Network Replacement equipment and services. The District was looking for a turnkey solution which involved little or no interruption of services while the new SAN was installed. Eight responses were received of which five were deemed responsive. Staff interviewed all five responsive firms and conducted a decision analysis using the following weighted criteria.
The results of the interviews are described below in order of occurrence.
Dimension Data North America, Inc. (Dimension Data)
The Dimension Data’s proposal included a strong team of technicians and project personnel along with a SAN solution manufactured by Nimble Storage. All of the people who would be involved in the project attended the interview. They showed a deep understanding of the District’s needs along with the experience to deliver on what they proposed. Nimble has at least 150 customers in the San Diego area and the District will have direct access to their tier three level support personnel. Dimension Data and Nimble appeared to be a very cohesive team during the interview. Dimension Data has worked for the District on multiple IT projects and has performed well. The SAN solution was designed to meet the needs of the District now and into the future, at a reasonable cost. Dimension Data scored first of the five firms with a total of 400 points of 400 possible.
Global Document Storage Systems, Inc. (Global)
Global’s proposal included the newest generation of the SAN currently installed at the District along with professional installation services from Dell. Although Dell was present at the interview, none of the team that would do the installation would be known to the District until after the contract is signed. Global demonstrated an understanding of the District’s needs but their project approach was somewhat vague. The proposed SAN solution exceeded the District’s needs although the price was reasonable. Global scored third of the five firms with a total 286 points of 400 possible.
ViON Corporation (ViON)
ViON has worked with their proposed manufacturer, Hitachi, since 1980 in the Washington, D.C. area. Hitachi has a local San Diego support center but the ViON project manager is based out of Virginia. Although ViOn has over 17 years of experience with state and local government the technical capabilities of the delivery team were not made clear. ViON’s understanding of the District’s needs seemed to be somewhat vague as was reflected in the proposed SAN solution which was one of the highest priced of the five proposals. Vion scored fourth of the five firms with a total of 206 points of 400 possible.
Nth Generation Computing (Nth Generation)
Nth Generation proposed a cohesive technical staff including a SAN architect who has been with them for 25 years and storage engineers with 10 to 24 years of experience. The Nth team demonstrated a strong understanding of the District’s needs and a desire to succeed with a well-defined implementation process. The interview panel was not convinced that the proposed SAN solution would meet the District needs and the cost would be substantially higher if that turned out to be true. Nth Generation scored second of the five firms with a total of 383 points of 400 possible.
ePlus Technology, Inc. (ePlus)
The ePlus proposal included a good team of storage architects and a project manager. ePlus has 26 years of experience working with agencies similar to the District. Due to some generic sounding answers the interview team felt that ePlus didn’t understand the District’s needs as well as some of the other proposers. This was also reflected in the ePlus SAN solution which exceeded the needs of the District and was one of the highest priced of the five proposals. ePlus scored fifth of the five firms with a total of 193 points of 400 possible.
Dimension Data scored highest due to their understanding of the District’s needs; their approach to replacing the current SAN with minimal disruption to services; the Nimble Storage selection and design; the convincing presence of the team who will do the work; and the overall cost which provides the highest value to the District.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed the agreement with Dimension Data North America, Incorporated and approves as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
The proposed Board action does not constitute a “project” under the definition set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 because it will not have a potential to result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and is, therefore, not subject to CEQA. No further action under CEQA is required.
In addition, the proposed action allows for the District to implement its obligations under the Port Act and/or other laws. The Port Act was enacted by the California Legislature and is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine. Consequently, the proposed action is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine.
Finally, the proposed Board action does not allow for “development,” as defined in Section 30106 of the California Coastal Act, or “new development,” pursuant to Section 1.a. of the District’s Coastal Development Permit Regulations. Therefore, issuance of a Coastal Development Permit or exclusion is not required.
Equal Opportunity Program:
Due to limited known sub participant opportunities, no SBE goal was established for this agreement.
PREPARED BY:
Chrissy Joslin
Senior. Management Analyst
Business Information & Technology Services
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Draft Agreement 200-2016SN