Rowan County Purchasing Policy requires sole-source purchases over $5,000 be approved by the Board of Commissioners. This agreement would be approved as a 'sole-source' using standardization or compatibility as the overriding consideration per NCGS 143-129(e)(6) which allows for an exception to the bidding laws when:
1. Performance or price competition for a product are not available;
2. A needed product is available from only one source of supply; or
3. Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
CivicPlus Inc is a sole-sourced vendor whose services are imperative to Rowan County. This service is used county-wide website hosting, and was approved August 1, 2023; Agenda Item T; for the FY23 renewal not to exceed $9,825,55.
As part of our contract with CivicPlus, we are eligible for one free website redesign. Because of recent upgrades to the Tourism Division’s website and an increase in mobile access to our site, we elected to pursue the free redesign this FY. During the redesign review, we were presented with an option to have custom banner images applied to our departments that do not have their own sub sites. We elected to pursue this option at a cost of $2893 which is still within budget.
Additionally, in order to keep our website secure, we must apply security certificates annually and are charged separately by CivicPlus for installation. During FY23, we have applied SSL certificates to www.rowancountync.gov as well as www.ExploreRowan.life at a cost of $158 each ($316 total).
Municode is utilized by the Clerk to the Board for hosting all County ordinances for legal compliance and is owned by CivicPlus. For FY23, we will continue to utilize per amendment changes not to exceed the budgeted amount of $10,000.
Attached are quotes for Added expenses for FY23 only.
Recommendation:
Board of Commissioners authorize the Purchasing Director to approve sole-source purchases from CivicPlus Inc. for the remainder of FY23.
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