Title
Joint resolution authorizing a one-year contract extension with Advanced Utility Systems, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, in the amount of $44,469.03 for proprietary software licenses and maintenance services thru December 31, 2019.
Staff Summary
• The County’s Utility Billing System (UBS), currently licensed and maintained by Advanced Utility Systems (Advanced) since November 16, 2010, performs utility user fee billing and collection financial recordkeeping for its approximate 26,000 county retail sewer and water customers accounts.
• Due to technological advances and security requirements, and enhanced security requirements, the department issued a competitive request for proposal and, on July 10, 2018, the County Board subsequently approved a new contract awarding the purchase, implementation, and maintenance of a replacement utility billing system to a new vendor. Implementation of the replacement software system is slated to occur mid-year, 2019.
• A contract extension with Advanced Utility Systems, Inc. is required for the County to perform its existing billing business functions until the new system’s conversion and implementation is successfully completed.
• In accordance with Article 6, Section 102 of the Lake County Purchasing Ordinance, the Purchasing Agent approved bid exemption on the basis that there exists a long standing, successful relationship for professional services, and the knowledge gained through this relationship adds value integral to the services provided for these services.
• This resolution authorizes the Purchasing Agent to execute a one-year contract extension with Advanced Utility Systems in the amount of $44,469.03 for software licenses and maintenance services thru December 31, 2019 and is a budgeted item.
Body
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department’s Utility Billing Software system (UBS) performs utility user fee billing, payment, and financial recordkeeping for approximately 26,000 Lake County retail sewer and water customers accounts, and
WHEREAS, On November 16, 2010 the County Board approved a competitively solicited contract with Advanced Utility Systems Corporation (Advanced), Toronto, Ontario to develop and maintain the current CIS Infinity Utility Billing Software system (UBS); and
WHEREAS, the Advanced UBS is a proprietary software that has been customized to directly interface with the department’s meter reading software, bill print service, and customer access portal; and
WHEREAS, due to technological advances and enhanced security requirements, the department issued a competitive RFP and on July 10, 2018 the county board subsequently approved a new contract awarding the purchase, implementation, and maintenance of a replacement utility billing system to a new vendor; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the replacement software system is slated to occur mid-year 2019; and
WHEREAS, A contract extension with Advanced is required for the County to parallel perform existing billing business functions until the new system’s conversion and implementation is successfully completed; and
WHEREAS, Advanced Utility Systems is the sole proprietor and, as the only source that can provide the services, was approved for bid exemption by the Purchasing Agent on December 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, an Agreement has been negotiated with Advanced Utility to provide a one-year contract extension with Advanced Utility Systems, Inc. in the amount of $44,469.03 for software licenses and maintenance services thru Dec 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Article 6, Section 102 of the Lake County Purchasing Ordinance, the Purchasing Agent approved bid exemption on the basis that there exists a long standing, successful relationship for professional services, and the knowledge gained through this relationship adds value integral to the services provided for these services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Purchasing Agent is hereby authorized and directed to execute a one-year contract extension with Advanced Utility Systems Corporation, Toronto, Ontario in the amount of $44,469.03 for Software Licenses and Maintenance services thru Dec 31, 2019.