To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marc Shorr, Information Technology Director
Report Title: Purchase Order with Sirius Computer Solutions, LLC.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Chief Information Officer, to execute a purchase order with Sirius Computer Solutions, LLC (a CDW Company), an IBM reseller, for the purchase of IBM Service Extension for z/OS Software, subject to the terms and conditions of Sirius and the IBM Customer Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, for the period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this product is included in the Department’s FY 24-25 budget. 100% User Departments.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Information Technology’s (DOIT’s) Technical Services Operations division, in conjunction with support from an outside vendor, maintains the County’s IBM mainframe computer system, to ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of the mainframe infrastructure which are critical to the County’s business operations. The IBM Service Extension for z/OS Software is a specialized offering by IBM that extends support and maintenance services for the specific z/OS (IBM's mainframe operating system) software utilized by the County. This extension is necessary as the standard support lifecycle for a z/OS software has ended, but the County still requires continued access to fixes, updates, and technical assistance to ensure stable and secure operation of the County’s mainframe system. The key features of the IBM Service Extension for z/OS software are:
1. Extended Technical Support: Allows the County continued access to IBM's technical expertise and resources for troubleshooting and maintenance.
2. Critical Fixes and Updates: Provides access to essential patches and updates to address critical vulnerabilities or operational issues.
3. Stability and Compliance: Assists the County to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and ensures uninterrupted operations of mission-critical applications running on z/OS.
Sirius’s terms and conditions contain a limitation of Sirius’s liability to the total compensation paid or payable to Sirius from the County under this agreement.
IBM’s Customer Agreement contains a limitation of IBM’s liability to the following:
1) Payments referred to in IBM’s patent and copyright terms.
2) Bodily injury (including death), and damage to real property and tangible personal property.
3) The amount of any other actual loss or damage, up to greater of $100,000 or the charges for the product or service that is the subject of the claim.
This purchase is being justified via sole source. Sirius has in-depth knowledge of the County’s
mainframe system, which provides continuity of service. The finalization of the purchase order was delayed after the initial October 1, 2024 effective date due to prolonged purchasing and legal review processes.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this purchase is not approved, DOIT operations will not have the ability to maintain the County’s mainframe computer system, which is critical to the County’s business operations.