To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marc Shorr, Information Technology Director
Report Title: Amendment to the Countywide Cisco Maintenance purchase order with ePlus Technology Inc.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Chief Information Officer, to execute an amendment to the Countywide Cisco Maintenance purchase order with ePlus Technology Inc., to increase the payment limit by $115,000 from $1,874,000 to $1,989,000 for the purchase of additional Cisco SmartNet maintenance and support, with no change to the current term ending June 30, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this product is included in the department’s FY 26-27 budget (100% User Departments).
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Wide Area Network (WAN) team is committed to maintaining up-to-date technology that effectively supports the work environment. SmartNet support ensures continuous operations, timely replacement of defective hardware, critical software updates, and essential security patches needed to maintain a secure and reliable County-wide network. This software is a critical component of lifecycle management, ensuring systems remain reliable, secure, and efficient for employees. Modern, well-supported software also requires less maintenance, helping reduce long-term costs while improving overall user experience and enhancing productivity. Maintaining this support is vital for sustaining a secure, reliable, and fully supported network infrastructure.
ePlus Technology, Inc. is an authorized re-seller of Cisco SmartNet and was selected through a Request for Proposals to provide Cisco SmartNet maintenance and support for three years, with the option for two additional one-year renewal/extensions.
Cisco’s terms and conditions include a limitation of liability.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
This support is a critical component of ongoing operations, and without it, DoIT’s WAN team may be unable to effectively resolve technical issues as they arise. Not utilizing Cisco SmartNet could lead to increased operational risks, higher costs, and potential security issues, affecting the overall efficiency and resilience of the County’s core network.