Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » IT Services Contracting

Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.

IT Services Contracting


Resolution of the ICANN Board
Topic: 
Consolidation of IT sourcing of such services to improve efficiency, quality and costs.
Summary: 

Request for Board to approve a contract for consolidation of IT resources to Zensar

Category: 
Administration and Budget
Board
General
Meeting Date: 
Sun, 26 Apr 2015
Resolution Number: 
2015.04.26.18 – 2015.04.26.19
Resolution Text: 

Whereas, ICANN sources IT services from multiple different vendors and wish to consolidate its sourcing of such services to improve efficiency, quality and costs.

Whereas, ICANN staff has undergone an extensive request for proposal process involving 28 potential service providers, which led, after multiple reviews, demonstrations and interviews to the identification of one preferred candidate, Zensar.

Whereas, ICANN staff has undergone further due diligence of Zensar by organizing pilot projects for approximately four months to determine the effective ability to obtain timely quality services from Zensar, which have proven highly conclusive.

Whereas, ICANN staff considers that Zensar has demonstrated the ability to provide ongoing services and project development support durably.

Resolved (2015.04.26.18), the Board authorizes the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to take all actions necessary to contract with, make payments to, and carry out any additional necessary actions with Zensar for a period of up to three years, involving expenses of up to [amount redacted for negotiation purposes].

Resolved (2015.04.26.19), specific items within this resolution shall remain confidential for negotiation purposes pursuant to Article III, section 5.2 of the ICANN Bylaws until the President and CEO determines that the confidential information may be released.

Rationale for Resolution: 

ICANN has been using the services of multiple vendors for its IT related needs, either for ongoing activities or for development projects. The management of multiple vendors is inefficient and generally leads to a higher cost for the value of services received.

ICANN staff has investigated alternative solutions to obtain the IT services that it requires, and the solution of obtaining several services on a long-term basis from a single external vendor with a knowledgeable and competent pool of resources is the preferred approach.

ICANN staff has therefore conducted an extensive request for proposal (RFP) process by defining the list of potential services it requires, obtaining proposals from 28 different vendors, conducting in-depth reviews, selecting a shortlist of five capable firms, interviewing each of the five firms, identifying two shortlisted candidates, and conducting deep-dive analyses of the two organizations to ultimately select Zensar as the preferred candidate. ICANN staff then conducted several pilot projects with Zensar to establish through live services and projects the ability of the company to put in place the adequate resources to provide timely quality services.

This extensive selection and testing process has provided a high confidence that Zensar is a capable partner for a durable period and ICANN Staff has recommended to engage the services of Zensar for a period of three years, up to [amount redacted for negotiation purposes].

This is an Organizational Administrative Function that does not require public comment.