Developing Opportunities: UCLA, Yolo County, Whittier and More

Not every technology procurement is a request for proposals indicating an IT project is on the cusp of reality; many are more formative notices that may later develop into active solicitations.

Industry Insider — California regularly spotlights such endeavors in its Opportunities section. Here’s a look at several public-sector governmental entities with early stage technology or innovation-related initiatives:

• Yolo County’s Recommended Budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year adds a body-worn camera system for the sheriff’s department to its Recommended Equipment List, at a cost of $200,000. The list also includes security cameras for the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, at a cost of $70,000; local area network (LAN) controllers, $18,000; and a cannabis drone for Community Services, $8,500.
• The University of California, Los Angeles has published an advertisement for prequalification seeking a contract to do an audio-visual upgrade at the UCLA School of Law building that can integrate with existing building systems, at an estimated construction cost of $250,000. Prospective respondents must attend a mandatory prequalification conference at 10 a.m. Sept. 28. Responses are due by 3 p.m. Oct. 12.
• The city of Whittier held a budget study session for the 2023-2024 fiscal year earlier this year, which revealed significant ideas for IT spend. These include the estimated availability, as of July 1, of $746,000 for IT replacement; and new IT department projects using Measure W monies for a public records management system, an easy permitting solution, and a queue management system. The Whittier City Council subsequently approved the city’s $99 million budget in June. Per the session document, the IT department resolves 82 percent of systems service requests within 24 hours.
• Recent Campbell City Council meeting minutes reveal considerable potential for IT spend around 2024 fiscal year proposed workplans, as part of the budgetary process. In the area of IT, plans include adopting a zero-trust security stance for all enterprise technology platforms; deploying a new HR information system and electronic payroll system; buying and deploying a replacement Storage Area Network and a network firewall system; and replacing 25 percent of “antiquated desktop computers.” There are also plans to extend public Wi-Fi at the community center, deploy automation for Public Records Act requests, and replace public meeting video and recording systems.