To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: 20-733-0 General Datatech, LP Purchase Order Renewal with SolarWinds Observability
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Employment and Human Services Director, a purchase order with General Datatech, L.P., in an amount not to exceed $14,450, for the purchase of SolarWinds Observability Self Hosted Essentials, subject to SolarWinds End User License Agreement and SaaS Supplemental Terms and Conditions, for the period October 1, 2025 through September 1, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
54% Federal, 38% State, 8% County General Fund; all of which is budgeted in FY25/26.
BACKGROUND:
EHSD IT utilizes SolarWinds to monitor its network and server infrastructure. This tool provides critical information that allows EHSD to predict when a system requires additional hard drive space, CPU, or RAM. It also offers valuable insights when troubleshooting systems and network issues.
This purchase aims to upgrade EHSD’s current software license to the SolarWinds Observability subscription platform. This upgrade will quadruple the current monitoring capabilities. EHSD is currently reaching the limits of the existing SolarWinds product and are forced to make decisions on how to reduce its monitoring. With this upgrade, EHSD will be able to support the current needs and accommodate future growth. The End User License Agreement includes a limitation of liability capping SolarWinds’ liability at the amount of fees paid in the 12 months prior to the date of the claim. SolarWinds’ SaaS Supplemental Terms and Conditions include an indemnification of SolarWinds, by the County. This vendor was selected per procurement requirements outlined in Administrative Bulletin 600.3.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the proposed action not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, the County will be unable to monitor and govern EHSD’s server and network infrastructure for the public.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement supports all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood";(3)"Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families,” by supporting staff working directly with families and children.