Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Information Technology Department to sign a Multi-Party Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with Harris Corporation and IPKeys Technologies LLC.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Information Technology Department to sign a Multi-Party Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with Harris Corporation and IPKeys Technologies LLC.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Information Technology Department (ITD) is charged with protecting the confidentiality of the County’s network information. However, to effectively work with certain vendors, the County must release information of a confidential nature to plan and complete various projects.
The County of Monterey is in the process of transitioning to a new microwave solution. The County would like to have a thorough understanding of its current transport backhaul network. A backhaul network is a series of physical telecommunication links, inter-connecting multiple sites, comprised of fiber, wireless microwave, and/or copper. Backhaul networks are typically constructed with multiple redundant routes (primary, secondary, etc.) for data flow between sites. ITD has requested IPKeys Technologies LLC (IPKeys) to review its existing backhaul network and associated documentation. The goal is for IPKeys to document its findings to assist the County with evaluating the viability of its network for a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) solution and to help the County prepare/plan for the implementation of a new Microwave MPLS Transport Backhaul. MPLS is a technology and protocol for transmitting data between two or more sites using the backhaul network. This technology enables sites to communicate over multiple paths/links, instead of just single path/link, which increases the system’s reliability and availability by reducing backhaul network failures.
Additionally, through its existing vendor agreement with the County, IPKeys will evaluate the NGEN network (Harris P25 system) and its Nokia microwave backhaul. The end result will provide a clear engineering perspective of the County’s transport backhaul for their future plans.
IPKeys has executed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the County to safeguard County information disclosed in IPKeys’ performance of its existing vendor agreement with the County. To safeguard County IT information shared with Harris Corporation as well as IPKeys, the County has asked that these companies enter into a Multi-Party Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement. They have agreed to do so. Per Harris’ business practice, they will sign after IPKeys and the County’s approval.
Accordingly, it is recommended that the Board to approve and authorize the Director of ITD to execute the attached Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with the approval or use of the Multi-Party Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Transitioning to a new microwave solution will create a more efficient and reliable County system. Allowing IPKeys and Harris to work with the County in analyzing current systems and planning for future implementations allows the County to identify the best path moving forward.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Lynnette Beardsall, Management Analyst II, 759-6938
Approved by:
______________________________________ Date: _________
Eric A. Chatham, Director of Information Technology, 759-6920
Attachments: Multi-Party Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with Harris Corporation and IPKeys Technologies LLC
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board