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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mariuz Gil, Director of Infrastructure & Technology
Jeff Anderson, Deputy CIO
DATE: March 10, 2023
SUBJECT:
A resolution to use Cipher Technology Solutions, Montgomery, IL as the primary low-voltage cabling vendor and NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL, as the secondary vendor for 2023 City of Aurora low-voltage cabling needs for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
PURPOSE:
City IT staff request the ability to quickly react to networking issues city-wide that have been identified as low-voltage cabling (wiring) issues. By establishing primary and secondary vendors, staff can shorten the repair and remediation timeline.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2018, when the City has solicited bids for low voltage cabling, Cipher Technology Solutions ("CTS") and NTI National Technologies ("NTI") have consistently been the low bidders and performed quality work for low-voltage cabling repairs, remediation and extension of existing services.
CTS and NTI have extensive knowledge of the City's network and cabling requirements and both have exceeded expectations of City staff.
In the last four years, repairs totaling $240,000 have been provided by CST and NTI. Based upon recent wiring failures at significant City buildings in 2022, City IT staff are requesting $100,000 annually.
DISCUSSION:
Over the last several years, issues with substandard or improperly connected cabling have been the cause of diminished services at several City buildings. These have resulted in loss of connectivity to city closed circuit cameras, door access controls (card readers) not working properly, disconnected or limited wireless access points and overall degraded access to city on-premises and cloud-based computing services.
City IT staff desires to utilize CTS and NTI once cabling issues have been identified to quickly remediate the issues and provide a high-level of quality service to city staff.
Per Section 2-336 (a) allows the City Council to award contracts without formal bidding.
Funds in account 101-1280-419.38-05 will be utilized for these purposes.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution will allow City IT staff to quickly work with both vendors to repair and remediate issues with existing City network low-voltage cabling. This request will have a positive impact as the City of Aurora will get what has proven to be the most competitive pricing over the years and expedient repairs of cabling issues.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That this resolution be approved and the Director of Purchasing be hereby authorized to issue purchase orders for services described in this resolution to Cipher Technology Solutions, Montgomery, IL as the primary low-voltage cabling vendor and NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL, as the secondary vendor for 2023 City of Aurora low-voltage cabling needs for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to use Cipher Technology Solutions, Montgomery, IL as the primary low-voltage cabling vendor and NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL, as the secondary vendor for 2023 City of Aurora low-voltage cabling needs for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, since 2018, when the City has solicited bids for low voltage cabling, Cipher Technology Solutions and NTI National Technologies have consistently been the low bidders and performed quality work for low-voltage cabling repairs, remediation and extension of existing services; and
WHEREAS, CTS and NTI have extensive knowledge of the City's network and cabling requirements and both have exceeded expectations of City staff; and
WHEREAS, Per Section 2-336 (a) allows the City Council to award contracts without formal bidding; and
WHEREAS, 2023 Funds are budgeted in account 101-1280-419.38-05.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approves this resolution and the Director of Purchasing be hereby authorized to issue purchase orders for services described in this resolution to Cipher Technology Solutions, Montgomery, IL as the primary low-voltage cabling vendor and NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL, as the secondary vendor for 2023 City of Aurora low-voltage cabling needs for an amount not to exceed $100,000.