THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
On June 27, 2006 (Item No. 25), the Board approved the Master Agreement between Broward County and Pioneer Technology Group, LLC (Request for Letters of Interest No. 20051107-0-CR-01), to purchase the software application and maintenance for the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The Axia software application was developed to streamline the VAB process, providing petitioners the convenience of filing petitions online, while allowing both the petitioner and Property Appraiser’s Office the ability to upload their own evidence and track appeals in real time, and allow for the online storage of all documentation. It has innovated the appeals process by utilizing modern technology to meet growing demands and expedite the completion of the tax cycle. This software improved and extended the automation process for the VAB. The Axia software was implemented in 2006, replacing an earlier application that was designed in house and did not allow for any of the online components that Axia has to offer. This software is used on a daily basis by the VAB staff during the entire appeals process and is crucial to its operations.
A First Amendment, approved by the Director of Purchasing on March 21, 2007, provided certain additional services such as an audio component to record hearings using Axia VAB Media Player software in the amount of $4,500 per year.
A Second Amendment, approved by the Board on February 4, 2014 (Item No. 7), extended the term until March 31, 2017, and permitted two additional one-year renewals through March 31, 2019. Those renewals have been exercised, and the Agreement currently expires on March 31, 2019.
Pioneer Technology Group, LLC is the creator and distributor for the VAB software and is the only provider of maintenance for this software. Without the renewal of the maintenance agreement, the VAB would be unable to complete daily operations as no other software currently exists that supports the requirements of the VAB.
As Pioneer Technology Group, LLC is the sole provider for this service, and because the maintenance fee has remained unchanged since 2007 at $37,000 per year, the proposed amendment will further extend the Agreement for up to three additional five-year renewal terms upon written notice by the County’s Director of Purchasing. The County has the option to terminate for convenience, if needed.
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