FROM: Joe Michael, Chief Information Officer
SUBJECT: Licensing Agreement with Forrester Research, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommend that the Board approve a one-year contract with Forrester Research, Inc. for information technology research and consulting services in the amount of $129,417.18; authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute an agreement with Forrester Research, Inc. in a form approved by Chief Counsel.
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BACKGROUND:
SBCERA’s strategic initiatives and priorities are designed to benefit the organization, the membership, staff, and other stakeholders. The technology required to fulfill many of these objectives is becoming substantially more complex. SBCERA’s Information Technology (IT) Department has a wide range of knowledge and expertise but still leverages consultants to help identify best in class solutions, upcoming trends, and build strategic partnerships. As SBCERA continues its transition to the Cloud, creating strategic partnerships with consultants is imperative to ensure we are leveraging secure and supported solutions.
With the shift to the Cloud, and ever-increasing cybersecurity threat risks, SBCERA has prioritized several initiatives for 2024. The first of these initiatives is the selection and a provider (or providers) for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) provider. These solutions are needed to provide the security framework that will allow our data and services to be moved to the Cloud, while only being accessible by authenticated staff and appropriate stakeholders. Without implementing these two core Cloud strategies, SBCERA will be unable to advance any additional Cloud or collaboration initiatives. In addition, SBCERA plans to issue an RFP to select and engage a new IT Auditor/Adviser in 2024.
In the past, SBCERA has generally leveraged the assistance of solution-specific consultants focused on a single deliverable or project. Examples of this would be Linea/LRS on our Pension Gold Refresh project, TMC who assisted SBCERA with the implementation of Business Central for financial and general ledger software, or Cordatius LLC who is working with our investment team on document management. This approach has served SBCERA well so far for these specific projects.
However, Staff contends that the SASE, ZTNA, cybersecurity and IT Audit/Adviser initiatives require a broader platform for research and selection of appropriate technologies and consultants. By way of example, in our initial research of the SASE and ZTNA providers, we have received initial indications of costs ranging from approximately $100,000 to $600,000. Both providers appear well-qualified and knowledgeable, but with that large a gap in price, it stands to reason that the solutions are not on par with each other. Staff needs assistance to further research and understand the vendors in the space, receive professional advice and guidance, and make selections and recommendations that are best suited to SBCERA’s needs.
Accordingly, staff believes that building a partnership with a strategic partner, with expertise in all areas of technology, is necessary. There are two firms that have the depth and breadth of capabilities to perform such a role, while remaining independent and vendor agnostic: Forrester Research, Inc. and Gartner. Staff received proposals from both firms and interviewed them. In summary:
|
Firm |
Contract Duration |
Cost per year (3 licenses*) |
|
Forrester Research, Inc. |
1 year |
$129,417.18 |
|
Gartner |
3 year minimum |
$184,500 |
*One license each is required for the Department Chief, Cybersecurity Manager, and Information Services Operations Manager.
A copy of the Forrester Research, Inc. proposal is attached as Exhibit A, which details the services that will be made available to staff under the proposed licenses. Not only will SBCERA have access to Forrester’s substantial research library and resources, we will have access to consultants and experts in various fields needed to support our 2024 IT initiatives. This assistance will help us make smarter, faster decisions and ensure that our IT spending is made where it will have the greatest cost-benefit impact.
Staff recommends that the Board approve a contract with Forrester Research, Inc. in the sum of $129,417.18 and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute an agreement in a form approved by Chief Counsel.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Costs for this item are included in the current year non-administrative, investment budget.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Operational Excellence & Efficiency
STAFF CONTACT:
Joe Michael
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Forrester Research, Inc. Proposal