Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » Outsource Service Provider Contract Extension
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.
Outsource Service Provider Contract Extension
Whereas, ICANN organization Engineering and Information Technology department has a need for continued third-party development, quality assurance and content management support to augment IT capacity.
Whereas, there is a need to complete a full Request for Proposal process prior entering into a new contract needed to augment IT capacity.
Whereas, Zensar has provided good services in software engineering, quality assurance and content management over the last 30+ months.
Whereas, additional time is needed to complete the necessary RFP process.
Resolved (2107.11.02.05), the Board authorizes the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to extend the existing Zensar contract, on the same terms, for a period not to exceed four months, at a cost not to exceed [REDACTED FOR NEGOTIATION PURPOSES].
Resolved (2017.11.02.06), 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.
ICANN organization's Engineering & IT departments have used Zensar to support all development, quality assurance and content management needs since November 2014. This relationship has been beneficial to ICANN and overall has been a success.
The current three-year contract expires in November 2017. To do full due diligence and ensure that ICANN is using the optimal provider for future needs, the Board agrees that ICANN should perform a new Request for Proposal (RFP) with a small number of outsource providers. While this process has already started, ICANN organization needs additional time to adequately complete the RFP process.
Zensar is currently in the process of setting up an onshore facility in a low-cost area. This is expected to be activated by Q1 2018. This facility may be useful to ICANN in augmenting the offshore resources while containing costs. Delaying the renewal of or issuance of a new contract will allow ICANN organization to evaluate this option.
Performing a RFP will also provide ICANN leverage as it negotiates new rates with Zensar should the organization decide to continue working with Zensar.
Taking this step is in the public interest to ensure that ICANN organization is utilizing the right third party providers, and to ensure that it is maximizing available resources in a cost efficient and effective manner. Accordingly, taking this decision is also consistent with ICANN's mission, as this action will help ensure that ICANN organization has the appropriate support to fulfill numerous aspects of its mission.
This action will have a fiscal impact on the organization, but that impact has already been anticipated and is covered in the FY18 budget. This action will not impact the security, stability and resiliency of the domain name system.
This decision is an Organizational administrative function for which public comment is not required.