Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation seeks to authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into a new contract with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc. for the purpose of continuing instant computer access to the investigative database (Accurint), allowing the most efficient investigative record searches for administrative, investigative, and enforcement personnel users.
In order to avoid a lapse in access to the database, LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc. has continued to provide access until this legislation could be submitted. The term of the new contract is approximately 10 to 11 months, as it will begin on the date a purchase order is confirmed and be in force through February 28, 2025. This legislation also retroactively authorizes payment for services rendered between March 1, 2024 and the date a purchase order is confirmed for a total cost of $159,000.00.
Bid Information: City of Columbus first contracted with Lexis Nexis in 2007 to obtain access to the Accurint computer Database system. With daily access, this vital tool is paramount to operations, investigations and solving crimes within the City. Therefore, the Division of Police requests a bid waiver to continue services with this vendor.
This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
Contract Compliance No: CC007871, LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc., expires 04/05/2024
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested so that the Division of Police may immediately renew said contract to continue these vital and important services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $159,000.00 from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc. for the Division of Police. The Division of Police encumbered or spent $152,500.00 in 2023, $147,000.00 in 2022, and $140,855.00 in 2021 for these services.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into contract with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc.; to waive competitive bidding requirements of City Code; to retroactively authorize payment for services between March 1, 2024 and the date a purchase order is confirmed; to authorize the expenditure of $159,000.00 from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund; and to declare an emergency ($159,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety wishes to renew the contract for computer database access for investigative record searches with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc.; and,
WHEREAS, the contract authorized by this ordinance will be from the date a purchase order is confirmed through February 28, 2025 and will retroactively authorize payment for services between March 1, 2024 and the date a purchase order is confirmed for a total cost of $159,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this database search availability is crucial to Division administrative, investigative, and enforcement personnel; and,
WHEREAS, Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions FL, Inc. is the provider of Accurint Virtual Crime Center in North America, and provides an unparalleled comprehensive database not provided by another organization that also integrates with the City’s Premier One system. Therefore, it is in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code Code; and,
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $159,000.00 will be funded through the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to renew the contract with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc., for computer database access to prevent an interruption in service, and for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety, be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with LexisNexis Risk Solutions FL Inc, for continued computer database access for investigative record searches for the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety and will retroactively authorize payment for services between March 1, 2024 and the date a purchase order is confirmed for a total cost of $159,000.00;
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $159,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund 2219 in object class 03 Maintenance of Software per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it is in the City's best interests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code to enter into this contract
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.