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DBI signs Accela contract for Permitting System relaunch; 15-month rollout and monthly oversight pledged
Summary
DBI announced it has executed a contract to relaunch the Accela permit/project tracking system (vendor Exela/Accela) with a projected 15-month go-live and three-month post-live support; the commission asked for regular milestone reports and access to contract scope and cost.
Acting Assistant Director Ron Thomas told the commission May 17 that DBI has executed a contract to bring the Accela permit/project tracking platform back into production, with a projected 15-month period to go live and an additional three months of post-live support. The kickoff meeting was scheduled for May 22.
Project Manager Sean Buellen said the statement of work is more robust than the earlier effort, describes clearer business requirements and governance, and embeds executive escalation. He said DBI documented more than 2,000 business requirements and involved DBI subject-matter experts throughout the SOW development. "The requirements originated from them and were reviewed from them and were refined with the vendor and the Department side by side," Buellen said.
Gartner consultants, who guided the re-scoping, told the commission the project had been in a troubled state in the earlier implementation but that the relaunch now has clearer requirements, a stronger project plan, and an active governance committee including the city administrator and controller. Gartner—s representative said the team had "turned this thing around" and emphasized that monthly status reporting and quality gates are built into the contract.
Exela—s account representative introduced herself and said the vendor is committed to resourcing the project and keeping the schedule. Commissioners asked to see contract figures and the scope of work; Commissioner Walker requested that the commission be given an opportunity to review budget effects and contract details. Staff said a summary of figures and the SOW could be shared with commissioners at the next meeting and that monthly status reports and milestone tracking would be provided.
Public commenter Jerry Dratler urged the commission to publish a clear implementation plan with milestone dates and to explain how the system will improve complaint tracking and interdepartmental follow-up (he referenced the Ghost Ship coverage and asked how new Acela scope would support fire-safety follow-up). DBI staff and project managers committed to monthly updates to the commission and to including milestones and quality gates in the monthly reports.
Ending: DBI will provide a contract and scope summary to the commission and deliver monthly status reports against the statement of work and quality gates during the 15-month implementation period.
