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Aurora approves $2.17 million three‑year contract to manage city network infrastructure
Summary
The council approved a three‑year support renewal with ScientelSolutions totaling $2,168,127 that includes a planned equipment buyout so Aurora will own the network hardware at the end of the term; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Aurora City Council voted unanimously on July 14 to approve a three‑year managed‑services contract with ScientelSolutions to support and manage the city's network infrastructure in a deal totaling $2,168,127.
Deputy CIO Jeff Anderson told the council the contract is structured to transition the city from a fully managed model (where the vendor owns equipment) to a buyout arrangement over three years so the city will own the networking hardware at the end of the contract term. Anderson said the city currently has roughly 650 devices and the negotiated coverage will include up to 650 devices with Scientel providing support coverage up to 700 devices during the term.
Anderson summarized options considered: a one‑year renewal (no ownership), an immediate purchase of all equipment from a reseller (higher upfront cost and no managed services), or the negotiated three‑year buyout that includes ramping up city staff capabilities while gradually purchasing equipment. He said the three‑year plan reduced projected long‑term costs compared with renewing under the prior structure.
Vote and next steps: The council approved the resolution on a recorded roll call (10–0). The IT department was assigned follow‑up tasks to coordinate ramp‑down with the vendor and ramp up internal staff capabilities; staff said they will return with status updates as equipment buyout and knowledge transfer proceed.
Why it matters: The contract affects the city's network reliability and cybersecurity operations across public safety, public works and other city services. The buyout approach aims to give the city greater ownership and long‑term flexibility while retaining managed services during the transition.
Quote: "What we're looking to do here is through this 3 year process is end up buying out so we actually own the equipment," Jeff Anderson told the council during his presentation.
Implementation: The IT department will coordinate with the vendor on a transition plan and report back to council; the contract scope and funding were included in the consent/direct‑to‑council package and were approved as part of the meeting's unfinished business.
