Three Data-Processing Bidders in Running
The list of competing firms for the county’s 10-year, $300-million data-processing contract was trimmed Tuesday to three companies that will enter negotiations with the county, which is expected to make a final selection in October.
With the county’s overall bidding process already under scrutiny, Board of Supervisors Chairman Chuck Smith reminded county staff that supervisors wanted a “squeaky-clean” bidding process and few, if any, problems.
Based on overall cost to the county, Lockheed Martin IMS ranked highest among all firms with an evaluation score of 76.3 points, out of a possible 100 points.
The large defense industry giant submitted an estimate for $221.4 million, which would be reduced by $12 million the company would generate in outside business while using county facilities.
The other two companies, San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp. and Systems Management Specialists, recently bought by a British telecommunications firm, ranked second and third, respectively.
Illinois-based Acxiom, which proposed a bid with Lucent Technologies of New Jersey as a subcontractor, placed fourth with a score of 66 and failed to make Tuesday’s cut.
In a letter sent to supervisors Monday, the company disagreed with the staff’s ranking system and unsuccessfully requested that it be allowed to join the three firms and begin county negotiations.
“We believe there was some misunderstanding with staff regarding our solution to the wide area network issue,” said consultant Scott Hart, who represented Acxiom during Tuesday’s meeting.
Hart noted that only 10 points in the county’s scoring system separated the top four firms. Also, the company said its bid is more than $26 million cheaper than the second-ranked firm. “It’s in the county’s best interest to negotiate with all four proposers,” Hart argued.
However, Supervisor Tom Wilson said if there was any confusion, an explanation “should have been done earlier” than Tuesday’s board vote.
“If we allow Acxiom to come in, what’s to prevent us from allowing the company that placed fifth too?” Wilson asked.
Adding Acxiom would also have forced the county into another round of bids, Smith said.
“I think this is probably the most expensive and squeaky-clean bidding process because it’s the biggest or one of the biggest in county history,” Smith said.
To date, the county has spent $217,000 with the Gartner Group for consulting services and has received approval for $500,000 for additional consulting from Gordon and Glickson, a Chicago legal firm that recently provided consultation for similar contract work for San Diego County.
The county’s overall bidding system is already under board scrutiny because of past problems, including a recent bidding war involving the taxi contract at John Wayne Airport.
The airport job was eventually given to a lobbyist who started his own taxi company.
