Submitted By: Christopher Ramos
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Presentation By: Christopher Ramos
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Department: Information Technology
FORMAL TITLE:
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Five-year renewal with Davenport Group for server virtualization software, VMware, maintenance and support in an estimated expenditure of $171,648
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
In 2021, Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) completed a capital improvement project to replace server hypervisors and network switches with the Dell VxRail system for the Electric SCADA network. The implemented hardware utilizes virtualization technology software.
Virtualization is a technology that allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical computer, enabling more efficient use of resources by partitioning the hardware. This means that different operating systems and applications can operate independently on the same machine, improving flexibility and reducing costs.
Due to this network's mission-critical nature, newer and more redundant architecture was established to increase the system's availability, resiliency, security, and reliability. The systems were provisioned with an initial three-year hardware and software warranty.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The previous contract with VMware is coming to an end, and a continuing software maintenance agreement must be renewed for the City to continue utilizing the existing virtualization software and hardware. These systems are mission-critical to the City's ability to provide safe and reliable power to citizens. Broadcom acquired VMware from Dell in 2024 and previous licensing models for software maintenance are no longer renewable. Broadcom now requires, upon renewal of licensing, that all customers change to their new platform with a 5-year subscription.
As a political subdivision of the state of Florida, the City of Ocala qualifies as an eligible user of cooperative purchasing agreements like the G...
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