Report Prepared by: Jamie Wright, IT Manager, Information Technology
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Agreement for Professional Services for a One Year Term with THOR, Inc. for AS/400 Programming Consulting Services in the Amount of $178,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
Authorizes the execution of a one-year professional services agreement with THOR, Inc. for $178,000 for AS/400 programming consulting services to support Central Square (formally Sungard) application suite.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving professional services agreement with THOR, Inc.; and, authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by Staff; or
2. Deny; or
3. Refer to Staff for further evaluation.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2019-20 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The Information Technology Department had two staff members retire several years ago. These two employees supported the City's Central Square (formally SunGard) software suite. This software suite was developed in RPG, a technology created in the late 1960's which requires a very specific and unique skillset. The IT Department does not currently employ anyone who possesses these skills. All recruitment efforts have failed to produce applicants with these unique skills. As the professional community of people who support this antiquated technology is currently experiencing mass gentrification, it has become prudent to move away from this aging technology.
The Central Square software suite is a vital technology to the City for the past 30 years. The suite runs critical business operations, including GMBA, building permits, business licenses, utility billing, payroll, and more. Since the suite was first implemented in the City, the retired staff members modified existing programs provided by Central Square to fit the business needs and workflows of th...
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