The Kenai City Council passed a substitute resolution that would award a three-year contract for the purchase of Microsoft software. The city reached the end of a three-year contract for a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and bids were solicited in January with newspaper advertisements. Two bids were received with City Administration recommending awarding a three-year contract to Insight Public Sector, Inc. for a total cost of $101,731.35, payable in three annual payments of $33,910.45.
Some members of council asked City Administration of the possibility of alternatives to Microsoft. Finance Director, Terry Eubank said:
“We have had discussions. I will honestly say, I think they are more cursory discussions about potential open-source type alternatives or solutions out there. It just hasn’t…I think considering the impact on all of the operations we have and everything we have; we just haven’t honestly seriously considered that as of yet as a true alternative for the city.”
Sufficient funds have been appropriated in FY22 for this purchase, and additional funds will need to be appropriated in FY23 and FY24 for future payments. The contract also allows for cancellation in future years in the event funds are not appropriated.
Resolution substitute No. 2022-04 unanimously passed as amended.
