Agenda Item
h. Blue Mantis Professional Services Extension (Not to exceed $1,000,000) ~ Updated 6.10.2024
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of professional services to provide staffing augmentation, maintenance, and monitoring services for network, data center, and cloud services with Blue Mantis for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
Why: The purpose of these services is to extend the district’s ability to continue operations and security of the district’s technology infrastructure.
Details: The DeKalb County School District is committed to providing equitable access to an empowered learning and work environment supported by innovative technology and a robust, secure, and constantly accessible network. As a result, the transformation and sustainability of the district’s technology infrastructure are mission-critical. Implementation of current and future technology projects outlined by the MIRACLES (www.dekalbschoolsga.org/miracles) initiative are key to realizing the district’s commitment to digital equity, empowered learning environments, as well as business continuity.
Due to continued and ongoing staffing challenges in DIIT coupled with technology infrastructure change management, critical staffing gaps and capacity that are necessary to complete key projects and milestones within identified timelines continue to surface. As with most industries hiring for IT-related positions, the district is experiencing challenges with hiring IT-related staff. It has been determined that the district must secure complementary professional technology services and support to fill these gaps to ensure these projects are completed with fidelity.
In March 2023, the Board of Education approved the contract renewal for Blue Mantis (formerly, GreenPages Technology Solutions) to provide engineering and strategic planning services along with necessary hardware purchases. With the approval of the SPLOST VI network enhancement projects and the continued loss of skilled staff, there remains a need to add full-time staffing support with the technical experience and knowledge to ensure all infrastructure transformation projects are completed with fidelity. This agenda item requests additional funding for an additional year to cover these costs.
It is important to note that this is an intermittent staffing solution that will ensure key digital transformation and modernization projects are completed according to scope, timeline, and within budget. The ultimate goal is to continue to develop, invest in, and enhance the district’s existing information technology workforce. However, immediate assistance is necessary to fill the gaps in knowledge, skill, and capacity.
In accordance with Board of Education Purchasing Policy DJE III.D.3.d., the Purchasing Department shall be authorized to make purchases through inter-governmental and educational cooperatives, alliances, and consortiums to achieve cost savings and administrative efficiencies based on economies of scale. Therefore, this purchase will utilize the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance cooperative purchasing agreement 01-96.
Financial impact: 1,000,000
ESSER
448.1000.530000.30521.7600.4190.8010.070.2022
SPLOST VI
306.2210.530000.80336.7600.9990.8010.070.0000
GENERAL FUNDS
Contact: Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678-676-1274
Effective: June 2024
Status: Approved by General Counsel