The Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides oversight for the use of IT consultants through the IT Consulting Services Program. Departments countywide can utilize this program to expedite the procurement of professional services needed to accomplish a department’s specific IT business objective. Firms on the roster offer consultants with specialized IT skills that departments can use on IT projects, or to supplement staff resources. Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses are highly encouraged to apply. Key features of this program include: 

• Centralized guidance and management of consultant usage through the Office of the CIO
• Expediting the process of soliciting and engaging well-qualified consultants
• Obtaining competitive submissions from the roster of eligible firms, both in terms of hourly rates and quality of consultant
• Maintaining diversity in the roster of eligible firms with respect to size and targeted small business status

The process of requesting a consultant through these contracts is streamlined through APEX. The Office of the CIO’s review and oversight ensures requests are appropriate and cannot readily be met through the reallocation of internal technical resources.

The IT Consulting Services Program contracts (formerly “IT Umbrella” contracts) were approved previously by the County Board through Resolutions 10-0562, 13-0437, 15-0393, 16-0495, and 19-0444. The level of experience and technical expertise of these consultants has been indispensable to the success of technology projects and programs. 

The IT Consulting Services Program has contributed successfully to the county’s disparity reduction goals. In its current cycle, 31% of the rosters on the firm are small-business enterprises, 13% are minority-owned businesses, and 13% are women-owned businesses. The current program cycle saw 52% of total expenditures going to SBEs, 45% going to MBEs, and 31% going to WBEs.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be issued in September 2022 inviting interested firms to join the roster for the new five-year cycle. Any firm that can meet minimum qualifications and agree to the standard terms and conditions of the county will be awarded a contract through the program. Firms with a contract will be able submit bids when departments identify an IT business need. The RFQ is issued annually each fall to allow new firms into the program, build a broader base of firms, and increase competition for the provision of these professional services.

This request seeks approval for an overall allocation of $25 million over a five-year program period and that the County Administrator be authorized to sign the IT professional services agreements aligned with the program through 2027.