Proposal:

Execute Contracts to Purchase Hardware and Software Necessary to Implement Middleware Technology in Support of AQMD Applications

Synopsis:

On February 14, 1997, the Board approved an RFQ to obtain the necessary fixed assets for Middleware in support of software applications used by AQMD staff. Middleware technology provides users with an easier way to connect to multiple data sources through networks and to bring the data to their desktops for processing. This action is to execute contracts with Mikon Computer Systems, PC Systems Design, and ThirdWave Corporation. Funds for these fixed assets ($180,000) are included in the FY 1996-97 Budget.

Committee:

Administrative, April 18, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Authorize the Executive Officer to execute a contract with ThirdWave Corporation in an amount not to exceed $97,716.55 for the purchase of six Middleware subscriber computer systems and the network interface card/backbone network card; with PC Systems Design in an amount not to exceed $51,615.86 for the purchase of three Middleware distributor servers; and with Mikon Computer Systems in an amount not to exceed $30,862.08 for the purchase of a Middleware publisher server.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

Providing timely, accurate, and complete information to all workers opens the way to the productivity improvements needed to realize the Regulatory Reform Initiatives adopted by the Board on January 12, 1996.

A primary information management goal today is to enhance hardware and software performance at the desktop, to make it easier for users to get the data that they need. Middleware, in its broadest sense, acts as an agent which sits between software applications and the network. Middleware products allow the integration of data and business rules from disparate isolated systems, into a common enterprise-wide knowledge base. Middleware provides users with high performance access to information transparently and ensures that the users and the data sources communicate quickly, efficiently, and effectively, regardless of which operating system, communications protocol, or database system is being accessed.

On February 14, 1997, the Board approved the release of an RFQ to acquire and upgrade components (both hardware and software) from the desktop to the network that will improve performance on AQMD information systems using Middleware software already in hand (such as Microsoft’s Open Data Base Connectivity, or ODBC) and that will support other software systems that function similarly to Middleware (such as the Board Agenda Tracking System).

Outreach

In accordance with the District’s Consulting and Contracting Policy, a public notice inviting bids was published in the California State Contracts Register, Chinese Daily News, Eastern Group Publications, El Chicano, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Inland Empire Hispanic News, Korean Central Daily, La Opinion, La Voz, Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles Times, M/W/DVBE Source, Orange County Register, Philippine News, Precinct Reporter, Rafu Shimpo, Riverside Press Enterprise, San Bernardino Sun, The Black Voice News, and The Excelsior. Copies of the RFQ were mailed to the Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, and various minority chamber of commerce and business associations, and public service announcements were sent out to local radio, TV and cable stations. The RFQ also was advertised on the Internet at the AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov] and on the AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line.

Bid Evaluation

A total of 82 copies of the RFQ were mailed out. Ten bids were received in response to the RFQ when final bidding closed at 1:00 p.m. on March 21, 1997. Of the ten bids, one was from a woman-owned business enterprise, two were from certified minority-owned (Hispanic and Asian-Indian) business enterprises, and two were from non-certified minority-owned (Asian and Asian-Pacific) business enterprises.

The RFP solicited bids for four categories of middleware, hardware and software. Each category was evaluated separately to select the best vendor. Table 1 summarizes the bid evaluation. Only one Category I bid met all of the specifications outlined in the RFQ. For the other three categories, almost all vendors met the minimum specifications. The bid comparison followed the evaluation process specified in the RFQ, providing a cost benefit to minority-owned, woman-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and local businesses. (No local business cost benefit was actually awarded because all but two of the bidders are local and those two bids did not affect the final evaluation (either their bids did not meet the minimum specifications or were not the lowest bid in the category).

Table 1 (The selected bids are shaded)

Cat.	Vendor		Meets Min. Specs.	Cost	M/W/-DVBE Cost Benefit	Eval. Cost
I	Microsource	MBE	No
I	PC Systems Design	NA	No
I	Comp USA	-	No
I	ThirdWave Corporation	MBE	Yes	$58,706.95		$58,706.95
I	Computer Palace	No	No
I	Microage Computermart	MBE	No
I	Pac Comm Technologies	MBE	No
II	PC Systems Design	NA	Yes	$51,615.86		$51,615.86
II	Comp USA	-	Yes	$65,889.63		$65,889.63
II	ThirdWave Corporation	MBE	Yes	$57,134.80	$1,652.00	$55,482.80
II	Zytec Network Services	NA	Yes	$63,719.20		$63,719.20
II	Computer Palace	No	Yes	$55,066.78		$55,066.78
II	Integrated Systems Group	No	No
II	Microage Computermart	MBE	Yes	$62,737.37	$1,652.00	$61,085.37
III	PC Systems Design	NA	Yes	$38,312.22		$38,312.22
III	Comp USA	-	No
III	ThirdWave Corporation	MBE	Yes	$39,009.60	$1,149.37	$37,860.23
III	Computer Palace	No	No
III	Microage Computermart	MBE	Yes	$43,114.89	$1,149.37	$41,965.53
IV	Mikon Computer Systems	WBE	Yes	$30,862.08	$925.86	$29,936.21
IV	ThirdWave Corporation	MBE	No
IV	Computer Palace	No	Yes	$31,780.04		$31,780.04
IV	Integrated Systems Group	No	No
IV	Microage Computermart	MBE	Yes	$30,925.94	$925.86	$30,000.08

The selected vendors who meet all specifications and provide best value for each category are as follows:

Category	Number	Product	Vendor	Cost
I	5	HP Netserver LXE 6/166 M1	ThirdWave Corporation	$58,706.95
II	2	Compaq Proliant 2500 6/200H Model 1S	PC Systems Design	$51,615.86
	1	Compaq Proliant 5000 6/200-2S
III	1	Network Interface Card/Backbone Network Card	ThirdWave Corporation	$39,009.60
IV	1	DEC Alphaserver 1000A 5/400	Mikon Computer Systems	$30,862.08

For Category III, PC Systems Design had the lowest cost but with the minority business cost benefit, ThirdWave Corporation had an evaluation price that was lower. Since ThirdWave met the minimum specifications for Category III, it was selected as the vendor for that category over PC Systems Design.

Based on the results of the bid comparison, staff recommends issuing purchase orders with the selected vendors for the specified hardware and software for a total cost of $180,194.49. There is possibility that by the time the purchase order is placed, prices for better models will have dropped to the levels bid for the models specified. Staff also recommends that the purchase orders indicate the specified equipment or better to obtain the best equipment for the funding available.

Proposition 209 Compliance

It is AQMD policy to award additional points or cost benefits for minority-owned, woman-owned, and/or disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. On November 5, 1996 California voters approved Proposition 209 which prohibits discrimination or granting preferential treatment based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. (Proposition 209 does not address disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.) On December 16, 1996, the Federal District Court issued an order applicable to all government agencies in California prohibiting enforcement of Proposition 209. Therefore, the AQMD’s existing policy remains in effect. Should the status of the law change at any point during the process of issuing an RFP or RFQ or entering into a contract pursuant to a previously issued RFP or RFQ, the AQMD will abide by the law in effect at the time the action is taken and any RFP or RFQ will be deemed modified to comply with existing law and any provisions in conflict with existing law will not be enforced.

Resource Impacts

Funds for these fixed assets of $180,000 are included in the FY 1996-97 Budget.

Attachment

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