To: Brian K. Flewelling, Public Works Committee Chairperson
From: Michael Dawisha, CIO
title
RE: Approval of a purchase order to Southern Computer Warehouse, in an amount not to exceed $42,266.40, for the renewal of a one-year subscription to Cisco Duo Essentials for fiscal year ending 2027
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to award Southern Computer Warehouse as the selected vendor for ITB #26-515 - Cisco Duo Essentials, not to exceed $42,266.40 for a one-year subscription
BACKGROUND:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a vital security control against account hijacking. The IT Department has utilized Cisco Duo MFA since 2020 to help protect access to email, VPN, remote work, and internal applications. MFA adds a second verification step, such as a phone prompt, passkey, or one-time code, making stolen passwords far less useful. Cisco Duo also supports current security, insurance, and audit expectations.
DISCUSSION:
The County currently uses Cisco Duo Essentials to provide multi-factor authentication for employees and protect access to County systems. ITB #26-515 was issued to obtain competitive pricing for the continued use of this service. After reviewing the bids received, Southern Computer Warehouse was selected as the recommended vendor based on the lowest price. Awarding ITB #26-515 will allow the County to continue using Cisco Duo Essentials without interruption while purchasing the service through the newly selected vendor. This helps maintain security for County email, remote access, and other systems that require multi-factor authentication. This would be for a one-year subscription.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There is no impact on Human Resources.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This is a budgeted expense, with a start date of December 1, 2026; for a total not to exceed $42,266.40 for the one-year subscription, to be paid out of the following accounts 1010-228.01-933.001 and pre-paid account 1010-000.00-123.000.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There is no impact on Facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Reviewed by IT.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This request conforms to the County priority of Long-Term Financial Stability by obtaining competitive pricing while maintaining cybersecurity protection.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Information Officer to authorize an expenditure, in the form of a purchase order to Southern Computer Warehouse, Inc., to renew our Cisco Duo Essential one-year subscription, at a total cost not to exceed $42,266.40 to be paid from account 1010-228.01-933.001 and pre-paid account 1010-000.00-123.000, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 3, 2026 meeting of the Public Works Committee of this Board).