The Georgia Technology Authority awarded a contract for IT infrastructure services to IBM and a separate contract for managed network services to AT&T on November 20, 2008. IBM assumed responsibility for IT infrastructure services on April 1, 2009, while AT&T assumed responsibility for managed network services on May 1, 2009.
The goals of the state’s IT privatization are to:
- Consolidate IT infrastructure and eliminate costly and unnecessary redundancy
- Improve the security of state data
- Stabilize the state’s IT operating environment in accordance with industry standards
- Ensure a well-governed IT enterprise
- Replace the state’s aging IT infrastructure
- Provide robust disaster recovery
Infrastructure services encompass the following: Mainframes, servers, storage, print, service desk, end user computing (desktop) and disaster recovery.
Benefits:
- Consolidated state IT infrastructure
- Centralized operational management
- Standardized service levels
- Automated tools to better manage IT operations
- Routine equipment refresh
- Improved disaster recovery capabilities
- Enhanced and consistent information security
The value of the contract is $873 million over eight years. There are two, one-year options to renew. In-scope full-time positions totaled 468 (291 state employees, 94 vacancies, 83 contractors); all 291 state employees received a job offer.
Managed network services encompass the following: Wide area network (WAN), voice and local area network (LAN) services.
Benefits:
- More robust and efficient network design
- Centralized operational management
- Standardized service levels
- Automated tools to better manage network operations
- Routine equipment refresh
- Enhanced and consistent information security
The value of the contract is $346 million over five years. There are two, one-year options to renew. In-scope full-time positions totaled 191 (125 state employees, 42 vacancies, 24 contractors); job offers were extended to 33 employees.
Through its IT privatization, the state is able to make investments in technology infrastructure that would not otherwise be possible.
Transition and transformation investments - IBM: $62 million; AT&T: $34 million
- More efficient and robust security infrastructure
- Wall-to-wall IT asset inventory and asset management system
- Server and storage consolidation (IBM)
- Consolidation of 21 help desks into a single service desk with 24/7/365 availability enterprise-wide for the first time
- Knowledge transfer and process documentation
- Centralized, consistent billing and chargeback tools
- Conversion to VoIP where economically beneficial (AT&T)
Infrastructure services investments - IBM: $122 million
- End-user computing, server and storage equipment refresh and standardization
- State print facility relocated to a state-of-the-art facility
Network infrastructure investments – AT&T: $65 million
- Network equipment refresh, including new routers, switches and voice equipment
What we negotiated for employees
- Job offers
- IT infrastructure services: All in-scope employees received job offers from IBM or a subcontractor (Dell or Xerox)
- Managed network services: All critical and designated employees received job offers from AT&T
- Comparable total compensation package
- Recognition of years of state service
- Participation in benefits programs
- Vacation
- Eligibility and vesting in 401k plans
- No wait time for benefits
- Waiver of pre-existing health conditions
- No pre-employment testing or background checks
Retirement
- Employees within one year of 34, 30, or 25 years (regardless of age) or 10 years (at age 60) were retained by GTA until they reached the milestone.
- “Critical employees” within two years of 34, 30, or 25 years (regardless of age) or 10 years (at age 60) were retained by GTA until they reached the milestone.