Consideration of and action on authorization of a Contract with Vertosoft LLC, in the amount of $306,064.60 through the Texas Department of Information Resources Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. TSO-4227, for OpenGov software services.

Approval of a contract with Vertosoft LC for OpenGov services, in amount the amount of $306,064.60 through the Texas Department of Information Resources Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. DIR-TSO-4227, for the Open Data Suite, including a Reporting & Transparency Platform.

OpenGov is a comprehensive cloud system explicitly designed to meet government organizations’ needs through various software modules. The OpenGov Open Data Suite module will allow City staff to create a public portal to centralize and display City-owned data.
 
Cities across the country have used open data portals to produce various outcomes, such as increased transparency with the community, partnership opportunities, and enhanced information sharing across departments. Another common outcome is decreased Open Records Requests and 311 inquiries because information related to common requests is proactively published. City staff hopes to realize these same outcomes by launching our own portal through the OpenGov software.
 
Once approved, the City’s project team will begin working with OpenGov’s implementation team to design, populate, and test the portal. Once all systems are tested and the appropriate data uploaded, the City’s project team will coordinate with OpenGov to train users across the organization on using and maintaining the portal for their respective departments. The current timeline for a portal “go-live” date is early 2024.
 
The OpenGov software will be purchased through the Department of Information Resources (DIR) pricing available to the City. The City receives discounted pricing and standardized terms and conditions compliant with Texas procurement regulations as a DIR customer.
 
The Department of Data and Innovation recommends the City Council authorize the purchase of OpenGov Open Data Suite with the Reporting and Transparency platform in the amount of $306,064.60 utilizing the Vertosoft Texas DIR contract no. DIR-TSO-4227.