Agenda Item
a. Blue Mantis Professional Services (Not to exceed $3,718,039) ~ Updated 9.5.2024
Summary: Presented by: Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and 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 $3,718,039.
Why: The purpose of these professional services is to provide the support necessary to implement critical network infrastructure enhancements and refresh projects funded by SPLOST VI. These services will also extend the ability to continue supporting 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: $3,718,039
SPLOST VI- $2,552,975 -306.2210.530000.80336.7600.9990.8010.070.0000
General Fund - $1,165,064 - 100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678-676-1274
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by Office of Legal Affairs
0138759-DCSD-Network Staff (4
resources) (10/1/24-9/30/25)
Statement of Work Prepared for
Project # 0138759
Version 1.1
Prepared by Steve Pellicci, Account Manager
August 16, 2024
All information contained herein is Confidential and Proprietary
800 989 2989 bluemantis.com
Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
Contents
1. Project Purpose & Overview .........................................................................................................................3
1.1. Project Summary ......................................................................................................................................3
2. Services to Be Performed .............................................................................................................................3
2.1. Services .................................................................................................................................................3
2.2. Deliverables ..........................................................................................................................................4
3. Pricing .............................................................................................................................................................4
3.1. Location(s) of Services to Be Provided ..............................................................................................5
4. Assumptions ...................................................................................................................................................5
4.1. Customer Responsibilities.....................................................................................................................5
4.2. Project-Specific Assumptions ..............................................................................................................6
4.3. General Assumptions ............................................................................................................................6
5. Statement of Work Authorization .................................................................................................................7
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Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
1. Project Purpose & Overview
1.1. Project Summary
DeKalb County Schools has engaged Blue Mantis (“Blue Mantis”) to supply Network Engineering
Services to DeKalb County Schools on a fixed price basis for a duration of up to one (1) year.
This Statement of Work shall be incorporated into and governed by the terms of the Master
Services Agreement between Blue Mantis and DeKalb County Schools dated 4/20/2022. This
Statement of Work governs the services (“Services”) to be provided by Blue Mantis to DeKalb
County Schools and particularly described herein. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have
the meaning as set forth in the Master Services Agreement.
2. Services to Be Performed
2.1. Services
The Engineering resource(s) are primarily responsible for the following activities:
Senior Network Engineer (one resource)
Plan and execute the installation, configuration, and maintenance of network hardware,
software, and telecommunications services.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and technologies to ensure network security.
Monitor network performance and troubleshoot problem areas as needed.
Collaborate with department heads to assess near and long-term network capacity needs.
Create and maintain documentation related to network configuration, network mapping,
processes, and service records.
Oversee the administration of user accounts, permissions, and access rights.
Direct and administrate a contingent of network analysts and technicians, and where
necessary, conduct performance reviews and corrective action.
On-call availability to participate in on-call rotation.
Network Engineer (two resources)
Maintain existing software and hardware and upgrade any that have become obsolete.
Monitor computer networks and systems for errors and fix any issues related to them.
Test and evaluate network systems to eliminate problems and make improvements.
Collaborate with network architects to design and implement functional company
networks.
Configure and install various network devices and services (e.g., routers, switches,
firewalls, load balancers, VPN, QoS).
Perform network maintenance and system upgrades, including service packs, patches,
hotfixes, and security configurations.
Monitor performance and ensure system availability and reliability.
Monitor system resource utilization, trending, and capacity planning.
Provide Level 2/3 support and troubleshooting to resolve issues.
Work within established configuration and change management policies to ensure
awareness, approval, and success of changes made to the network infrastructure.
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Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
On-call availability to participate in on-call rotation.
Switching Layer (one resource)
Cutover to new Juniper hardware
Helping vendor with installation
In addition to specific types of tasks above, the Engineering resources will also be responsible for
performing tasks as assigned.
DeKalb County Schools is responsible for task assignment and prioritization of the supplied
resource(s).
2.2. Deliverables
The final work product (“Final Work Product”), if any, to be delivered under this Statement of Work
will be comprised of the following:
Services as listed within Section 2.1
3. Pricing
The Services outlined in this Statement of Work will be provided on a fixed price basis. The
monthly rate required to complete the services are set forth in the table below.
Service Description Price QTY Total
Sr. Network Engineering Services $22,050.00 12 $264,600.00
– Operation Support
Network Engineering Services – $20,416.67 12 $245,000.04
Operation Support
Network Engineering Services – $20,416.67 12 $245,000.04
Operation Support
Network Engineering Services – $20,416.67 12 $245,000.04
Juniper Switch Project
Total $999,612.00
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Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
Blue Mantis reserves the right to bill on a monthly basis based on the percentage of work
performed to date.
Payments are due to Blue Mantis net 30 days from date of invoice. The terms, conditions and
pricing of this Statement of Work are valid for 30 days from date of presentation to DeKalb
County Schools.
Rates are subject to change from the original scope based on resource(s), COLA, CPI or other
extenuating factors. If a rate adjustment is needed, a Change Order will be presented.
This project is expected to take one (1) Year. If the project is delayed or put on hold by the
customer for an extended period of time, a Change Order may be needed to address
additional hours needed that were caused by the delay.
If DeKalb County Schools decides to cancel this engagement prior to the agreed upon end date or
depletion of the estimated number of hours, two (2) weeks’ notice will be required. Should DeKalb
County Schools end services within the two weeks of the agreed upon date, DeKalb County
Schools may be invoices for two additional weeks of service.
3.1. Location(s) of Services to Be Provided
The Services will be performed onsite.
4. Assumptions
4.1. Customer Responsibilities
4.1.1 DeKalb County Schools will provide security, systems, and location access as required for
consultant(s) to perform activities. Delays created by consultants not having access will be
the responsibility of DeKalb County Schools.
4.1.2 DeKalb County Schools will give Blue Mantis’ resource(s) adequate domain rights to
complete the work required for the tasks assigned.
4.1.3 DeKalb County Schools is responsible for, and assumes any risk associated with any
problems resulting from the content, completeness, accuracy and consistency of any data,
materials and information supplied by DeKalb County Schools.
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Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
4.1.4 DeKalb County Schools must delete or disable all cloud, network, system, application, and
data access granted to any Blue Mantis employees working on the project as soon as the
project has concluded.
4.2. Project-Specific Assumptions
4.2.1 DeKalb County Schools has interviewed and accepted the resource(s) as suitable to
perform tasks at the direction of DeKalb County Schools.
4.3. General Assumptions
4.3.1 Blue Mantis makes no representation or warranty that the services provided will yield any
specific deliverable(s) or assumed result(s). The resource’s time delivered, and technical
knowledge are the assumed requirements for fulfilment of the service.
4.3.2 Should DeKalb County Schools requirements or tasks change during the course of this
effort, DeKalb County Schools will advise Blue Mantis of additional resource needs.
4.3.3 Blue Mantis reserves the right to assign resources to the engagement in accordance with
the skills levels required to perform the work described in this SOW. If a change in
resource skill is requested, there may be an impact to the duration and hourly consumption
rate of the engagement. Any changes will be mutually agreed on and documented in
writing.
4.3.4 Work will be scheduled and performed contiguously, without pause, in minimum one
business week increments of time.
4.3.5 Upon consumption of the agreed upon length of engagement, services in this SOW will be
complete and any responsibilities assigned to Blue Mantis will transition to DeKalb County
Schools for any reassignment.
4.3.6 Should DeKalb County Schools request or approve overtime hours, the proposed rates will
be charged at 1.5x of the rate. “Overtime” is defined as any work performed outside the
hours of 7:00AM to 7:00PM, Monday through Friday.
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Blue Mantis | 0138759‐DCSD‐Network Staff (4 resources) (10/1/24‐9/30/25)
5. Statement of Work Authorization
The parties’ agreement to and execution of this Statement of Work is necessary prior to commencement
of Services. In cases where there is a direct conflict between the terms of the Master Services Agreement
and the Statement of Work, the Statement of Work shall prevail. Capitalized terms used but not defined in
this Statement of Work shall have the meanings given to them in the Master Services Agreement.
The business terms, proposals and related information contained in this Statement of Work are
confidential and proprietary information belonging to Blue Mantis and provided to DeKalb County Schools
exclusively for its internal use and consideration regarding the retention of Blue Mantis to perform the
Services. DeKalb County Schools’s acceptance and review of this Statement of Work shall be deemed an
agreement by DeKalb County Schools not to use, disclose or disseminate the Statement of Work or any
portion of it without the prior express written consent of Blue Mantis. No third party shall be entitled to
review or rely upon the information contained in this Statement of Work for any reason.
DeKalb County Schools Authorization Blue Mantis Authorization
Signature: Signature:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
Purchase Order Number: Project Number: 0138759
(If no Purchase Order is indicated, the Project # for Version: 1.1
this Statement of Work will be used.)
When agreed to, please sign, date and email to:
Steve Pellicci, Account Manager
Phone: (207) 475-1886
Email: steve.pellicci@bluemantis.com
We will sign and return a fully executed copy to you.
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