In a request for qualifications (RFQ) released Wednesday, the city of Fresno is calling for statements of qualification from vendors/consultants to provide it with an “updated/overall strategic plan for the city’s IT function.” Go here for the city’s existing Strategic Technology Master Plan, which was revised in July. Among the takeaways:
- The project goal, generally, is to review the city’s existing “plan, vision and road map for the effective use of technology to support the work of the city.” Fresno views the proposed plan as the cornerstone of its efforts to improve the “balance between demand for enhanced technology, available IT resources, including staff and capital and operating funds as well as security provisions,” according to the RFQ. The consultant chosen will be tasked with developing a five-year IT strategic plan to aid Fresno in “planning, procuring, implementing and managing current and future investments and resources.” The new plan will also be expected to contain IT governance and staffing levels. Fresno also wants to improve public-facing systems such as economic development and broadband as a result of this plan. IT initiatives “should align with mayoral priorities,” per the RFQ. Go here for general information on the city’s Information Services Department.
- Specific plan elements should include a “comprehensive assessment of existing technologies and staffing that will identify current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, including documentation of the existing city information system business processes”; and opportunities for operational efficiency through technology such as implementation strategy, legacy integration, IT investment recommendations and strategies for assimilating trending technologies. Plan elements should also “review, assess and recommend IT governance strategies” including staffing, decision-making recommendations and “communications provisions for departments, end users, vendors/consultants.” Plan elements should also assess and make recommendations on “enterprise systems and system requirements,” legacy, networking, security, 311 and customer relationship management; and assess Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
- Respondents must have “proven expertise and extensive experience” in assessing IT systems, and a “successful track record” of creating and implementing IT strategic plans for cities and “similar public agencies” – demonstratable by “successfully performing similar work that has achieved the desired outcome of the clients,” in particular by meeting reliability and sustainability goals. Consultant roles and responsibilities include evaluating Fresno’s existing tech environment including “services provided, infrastructure, existing vendor/consultant contracts, funding and service methodology”; and IT governance and organizational structures “to ensure that these best meet the city’s business and technology needs through the most appropriate service provision agreements, resource availability and reporting relationships.” The consultant chosen must provide a project manager to establish a project plan that will include a timeline, milestones, tasks and reports and generally follows Project Management Body of Knowledge principles. The consultant must also document assessments and present recommendations to ensure Fresno’s ability to wield technology in support of business needs, and identify risks associated with a “lapse in service or systems that will no longer be supported within the next five years.”
- The contract’s value isn’t stated, and the exact contract term isn’t clear, but the pact will be in effect “through the earlier of complete rendition” of services or “subject to any earlier termination in accordance with this agreement.” Requests for clarification/technical questions are due by 4 p.m. April 7; responses will come by April 11. Statements of qualification are due by 4 p.m. April 15. Respondent selection is slated for the week of April 28, the anticipated start of contract negotiations is the week of May 4 and the expected contract award date is May 15.
