TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Kathleen Kelly, Interim General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Contract for Cloud-Based Enterprise Datawarehouse Implementation
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the Interim General Manager to execute a contract with Quisitive, LLC to implement an Enterprise Datawarehouse in Microsoft Azure Cloud under the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) rates in an amount not to exceed $394,585.
Staff Contact:
Ahsan Baig, Chief Information Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Infrastructure Modernization
The Enterprise Datawarehouse implementation in the Microsoft Azure cloud is a strategic initiative designed to modernize the District’s data platform by transitioning to a unified, cloud-based environment. This transformation will replace fragmented, one-to-one system connections with a scalable, automated framework, significantly enhancing system reliability, operational efficiency, and data governance. Through seamless system integration, workflow automation, and centralized data management, the project will optimize resource utilization, improve staff productivity, and facilitate real-time, validated data insights.
This initiative is aligned with the District’s long-term sustainability and innovation objectives, establishing a foundation for advanced analytics, data-driven decision making, and future-ready infrastructure. A detailed scope of work is developed between AC Transit and Quisitive, LLC outlining the professional services provided including the milestones and deliverables.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for the Enterprise Datawarehouse implementation in the Microsoft Azure cloud Project is $394,585.00, fully funded under the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Capital Project ID 2209. These funds have been approved and allocated specifically for modernization initiatives, requiring no additional budgetary allocations at this time.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The implementation of the Enterprise Data Warehouse in the Microsoft Azure Cloud is a pivotal infrastructure modernization project. It is designed to transition the District from a legacy database platform, characterized by isolated, one-to-one system connections, to a unified and scalable modern data warehouse platform. The current database platform necessitates manual data transfers and frequently results in data quality issues, thereby consuming excessive man-hours for validation and testing. This modernization effort aims to centralize data integration, enable seamless interoperability across systems, and enhance the efficiency of transit data management and analysis. By automating data collection and validation processes, the project will not only improve data reliability and quality assurance but also enhance reporting capabilities. Furthermore, the platform will support comprehensive data cataloging, cybersecurity, and governance, aligning with the District’s goals for sustainability and service reliability.
This Phase of the implementation includes professional services for:
1) Developing a cloud adoption framework
2) Deploying data ingestion pipelines
3) Implementing governance tools (such as Microsoft Purview)
4) Technical documentation
5) Training and knowledge transfer to staff
These infrastructure enhancements will optimize the data management while ensuring scalability and adaptability for future operational needs.
Staff recommends awarding the contract to Quisitive, LLC under California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) rates, ensuring competitive pricing and alignment with the District’s fiscal objectives. While this investment will result in a temporary increase in expenditures, it is a strategic infrastructure enhancement that will support centralized data integration, cloud migration, and governance improvements. The project is expected to reduce inefficiencies, eliminate redundant processes, and enhance operational reliability, leading to long-term cost savings.
There are no ongoing or multi-year budgetary commitments tied to this phase of the project; however, future enhancements or expansions may be considered for in-house implementation where feasible and appropriate.
The California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS), offered by the California Department of General Services (CA DGS), offers a wide variety of commodity, non-IT Services, and information technology products and services at prices which have been assessed to be fair, reasonable, and competitive. The CMAS Program creates a pool of suppliers from which agencies like AC Transit may solicit offers. When utilized correctly, CMAS streamlines the procurement process.
Following a competitive procurement process, Quisitive, LLC was selected based on its proven expertise in cloud integration and data governance, offering the best value for the District’s objectives under California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) rates. The contract term for this project is one year and Staff anticipates project completion within this time frame.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Advantages: The Enterprise Datawarehouse implementation in the Microsoft Azure cloud Project will implement a unified, scalable platform designed to enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making by streamlining data integration, governance, and interoperability. This initiative will strengthen data management frameworks, support predictive analytics capabilities, and optimize resource utilization while mitigating inefficiencies and eliminating redundant processes.
Disadvantages: No significant disadvantages have been identified.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Issue a solicitation for the Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Software: The District could elect to solicit an enterprise COTS software platform and go through a formal Request For Proposals; however, this would result in significant cost increase, delayed data collection, timely support, preventing data tracking and transit data management at AC Transit.
Take no action: Continue using the legacy database platform with manual data ingestion processes and data validation. Continued use of the legacy database will hamper the District’s ability to provide accurate and reliable information in a timely manner. This design is not scalable and unable to manage real-time operational needs, potentially impacting service reliability and rider satisfaction.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
1. Board Policy No. 465 - Procurement Policy
2. SR 22-142 Data Governance Program
3. SR 24-335 Major IT Projects Update
4. SR 25-161 Data Governance Plan
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Tas Jalali, Director Innovation & Technology
Dr. Manjit Sooch, Director Innovation & Technology
In Collaboration with:
Mike Carvalho, Director Cloud Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology
Michael Silk, Assistant Director of Procurement and Materials
Approved/Reviewed by:
Phillip Halley, Program Manager, Compliance & Diversity-Contracts
Fred Walls, Director of Procurement & Materials Management
Aimee L. Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer