Title
Resolution to Approve Purchase of a Palo Alto Firewall from Amerinet ($124,580.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution authorizing the creation of a purchase order to AmeriNet in the amount of $124,580.00 to purchase a replacement firewall.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding for the Palo Alto firewall network equipment is available in the FY2017 Information Technology Services Unit budget.
Our current firewall is outdated and is in need of replacement. The Palo Alto firewall provides protection for the city network from cyber security threats, viruses, malware, etc. Although no network is 100% safe from cyber security attacks, this new firewall will provide dynamic advanced services not employed in our current firewall and is a critical component in our network. The new firewall has the ability to internally operate software currently running separately on our network, thus eliminating $13,833.33 of existing costs annually.
The City of Ann Arbor IT department and the Washtenaw County IT department collaborated in the evaluation of current firewall technology. Other firewall products were evaluated and an industry leading technical consulting firm was engaged to assist in the evaluation. Together, Washtenaw County IT and City of Ann Arbor IT department selected the Palo Alto solution. The Palo Alto solution was clearly the best fit for the city as well as the county. The city and county are purchasing our systems separately, but having similar systems allow the city and the county to collaborate and support each other’s systems thus leading to efficiencies.
AmeriNet complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
Staff
Prepared by: David Harris, Networking Lead, IT Service Unit
Reviewed by: Tom Shewchuk, IT Director
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, Financial Services Area Administrator and CFO
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, AmeriNet was chosen for the purchase of the Palo Alto firewall equipment and is a Palo Alto reseller;
Whereas, AmeriNet and the City of Ann Arbor IT department have a long standing relationship, they have a local presence, provided the city pricing below GSA Schedule 70 rates, and therefore were designated a Best Source;
Whereas, The firewall equipment is a critical piece of infrastructure, significantly aides in protecting the city from cyber security attacks, and is a leader in the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant;
Whereas, AmeriNet complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances; and
Whereas, Sufficient funding for the Palo Alto firewall network equipment is available in the FY2017 Information Technology Services Unit budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a purchase order with AmeriNet in the amount of $124,580.00; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this Resolution regardless of fiscal year.