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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: March 16, 1999 <br />SUBJECT: Technical Support Contracts to Assist in Y2K Preparation <br />DEPARTMENT: Information Systems <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Contract with Sparks Software <br />Contract with LGW Consultants <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. g_ e <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1) <br />BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/l) <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Dick Taylor, ext 2276 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968 -4501 <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />Mebane 336- 227 -2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving contracts for additional programmer support to supplement existing <br />staff resources for successful completion of Y2K mainframe computer preparations. <br />BACKGROUND: At the February 15, 1999 work session, the Board indicated its strong.interest in <br />ensuring that Orange County government is as prepared as possible for the challenges that may be <br />presented for computer programs and equipment that may have trouble recognizing dates beginning with <br />January 1, 2000. Y2K preparedness will accordingly be addressed as part of the Board's goals for 1999- <br />2000. <br />Changes are required to Orange County mainframe computer applications software to correct problems in <br />handling dates for Year 2000 and beyond. Existing staff can perform a substantial portion of this work but <br />additional hours of outside support are needed to ensure timely completion of mainframe software <br />changes and testing. The expertise required for our mainframe software environment is difficult to acquire <br />due to the older technology used. Staff recommends that the Board approve two agreements for external <br />mainframe support with providers who have extensive experience with the County's mainframe <br />operating system. Support services to be provided include, but are not limited to, writing, validating. and <br />testing County mainframe software programs for Y2K compliance. <br />The first agreement would be with Sparks Software, and would cover the period March 1 to September <br />30, 1999. The agreement covers a total of 480 hours at $50 per hour, in an amount not to exceed <br />$24,000. The programmer provided to the County under this contract has unique experience since she is ,i <br />former County Information Systems Department employee. The second agreement would be with LGNV <br />Consultants and would cover the period April 1 to September 30, 1999. This agreement covers <br />approximately 40 days of support, at a rate of $455 per day plus travel expenses, with a total cost not to <br />exceed $22,000. <br />