South Coast Air Quality Management District

Back

Execute Contract to Purchase Ingres Relational Database Management System Software

SYNOPSIS: 

On April 21, 2000, AQMD released an RFP to select vendors capable of providing Ingres Relational Database Management System software or equivalent. The Ingres database software is used for the implementation of the Central Information Repository Database. This database is used by most enterprise-level software applications at the AQMD, and currently supports a suite of client/server and web-based applications known collectively as the Clean Air Support System (CLASS). The CLASS applications are used to support all of the AQMD core activities. This action is to execute a five-year purchase contract with Computer Associates International, Inc. for CA-Ingres II Database software licenses, support and maintenance for an annual cost of $210,629.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, October 13, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the execution of a five-year purchase contract for Ingres Relational Database Management System Software from Computer Associate International for an annual amount of $210,629 for a total of $1,053,145 over the five-year period.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In December 1995, the AQMD entered into a five-year license of Ingres Relational Database Management System Software which will expire in December 2000.

On April 21, 2000, AQMD released RFP No. 9900-17 to select vendors capable of providing Ingres Relational Database Management System software or equivalent. It is expected that the RDBMS software selected will replace the AQMD’s existing Ingres RDBMS software and licenses. The Ingres RDBMS software runs on DEC Alphaserver 8400 and 4100 computers. The Alphaserver 8400 hosts the Central Information Repository database (DBCIR). This database supports a collection of over thirty client/server applications known as the Clean Air Support System (CLASS). CLASS includes Facility Permit System in support of RECLAIM operations, Emission Data System (EDS) composed of Emission Fee Billing (EFB), Emission Inventory System (EIS), Air Toxic Emission Data System (ATEDS) and AB2588 Tracking. The Alphaserver 4100 supports software development for the Clean Air Support System (CLASS) and for other mini-computers and micro-computers accessing the Central Information Repository. These applications are an integral component of the AQMD’s quest for clean air.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids was published in the following publications:

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	La Opinion	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Voz	20.	Rafu Shimpo
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	Los Angeles Daily News	21.	Riverside Press Enterprise
4.	Eastern Group Publications	13.	Los Angeles Sentinel	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	El Chicano	14.	Los Angeles Times	23.	Santa Clarita Signal
6.	Excelsior, The	15.	M/W/DVBE Source	24.	State of California Contracts
7.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	16.	Orange County Register		Register
8.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	17.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
9.	Korea Central Daily	18.	Philippine News

Additionally, potential bidders were identified using the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notices of the RFP/RFQ were mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s 24-hour telephone message line for bidders (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Eighty-three copies of the RFP were mailed out and eight vendors attended the bidders conference held on May 25, 2000. Two vendors requested and attended follow-up meeting sessions after the bidders conference to evaluate the resources necessary to migrate to an equivalent database. One bid was received from Computer Associates International in response to the RFP when final bidding closed at 1:00 p.m. on July 14, 2000. The bid was not from a disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, certified minority-owned, or non-certified minority-owned business enterprises.

In 1996, bidders estimated the cost of migrating existing software applications from Ingres to Oracle at $1,600,000. At that time there were only six CLASS applications being used. Currently, AQMD has over 30 applications. The two vendors who met with staff after the bidder’s conference for RFP #9900-17, estimated that the cost to migrate these applications would be substantially higher than previously estimated. Neither vendor provided dollar figures for the conversion. The evaluation panel concluded that cost of migration to an equivalent product was prohibitive.

The evaluation panel determined that the cost of the proposal by Computer Associates International was reasonable and proportional to the increase in existing costs of concurrent user’s licenses. The panel also agreed that the proposal was technically qualified. Therefore, staff recommends executing a five-year purchase contract with Computer Associates International for Ingres II Relational Database Management System software licenses, support and maintenance at an annual cost of $210,629.

Panel Composition

The panel consisted of a Deputy Director of regional client support for information technology services from an environmental consulting firm and five staff from AQMD. The AQMD staff consisted of: a Technology Implementation Manager, a Contracts Manager, a Program Supervisor, a Computer Operations Supervisor, and a Database Administrator. Of these six panelists, three are male and three female; one is Asian-Pacific Islander, four are Caucasian, and one is Hispanic American.

Resource Impacts

Funds for the first year are included in the FY 2000-01 Budget and subsequent year funding will be included in future budgets.

/ / /