Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with SoundThinking Inc., formerly ShotSpotter Inc., for the use of ShotSpotter, a subscription based service that involves a gunfire sensor network in areas identified by the City. These sensors connect to a cloud-based data center infrastructure, providing a 24/7/365 gunfire monitoring service within a nine (9) square-mile radius of the installed sensor infrastructure.
In addition to gunfire detection, the SoundThinking service will notify law enforcement agencies of gunfire incidents and direct them to the precise location of gunfire. The service also offers the capability to instantly notify officers of shootings in progress with real-time data delivered to dispatch officers, patrol cars, and smart phones. The alerts are intended to improve police response to incidents of gunfire, enhance officer safety, speed aid to victims, assist in investigations and the collection of evidence, and ultimately, the apprehension of dangerous offenders. The original contract for services with SoundThinking, formerly ShotSpotter, Inc., dated October 4, 2018 was established by ordinance 2151-2018. The existing contract expired February 6, 2025. This ordinance will authorize a new three year contract running through February 6, 2028. Funding for the three year contract will total $1,984,500.00 and will be encumbered on a year-to-year basis contingent upon the approval of City Council and certification of funds by the City Auditor. The contract will not automatically renew.
Bid Waiver Justification: Because of the established relationship with this contractor and the fact that they have technology in place at the required locations to interface with Columbus police equipment, it was not practical to bid out this service and incur start-up fees and breaks in coverage.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested in order to provide continuity to the gunfire detection program. Because the existing contract expired February 6, 2025, it is imperative that a new contract is executed as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes an expenditure of $661,500.00 from the General Fund for the first year of a three-year agreement with SoundThinking Inc, formerly ShotSpotter, Inc., for a gunfire location, alert, and analysis system. These funds are available within the 2025 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with SoundThinking Inc., formerly ShotSpotter, Inc., for the use of a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis program; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $661,500.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($661,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has determined there is a need to continue the use of the gunfire detection, alert, and analysis service to assist law enforcement responding to incidents of gunfire in Columbus neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, SoundThinking can deliver instant, accurate tactical awareness to the Division of Police including precise location anywhere within the coverage area including latitude/longitude and street address, exact time and number of rounds fired and shooter position, and speed and direction of travel; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 because of the established relationship with this contractor and the fact that they have technology in place at the required locations to interface with Columbus police equipment; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety needs to encumber funds for the first year of a three-year agreement; and,
WHEREAS, this agreement covers a total radius of 9 square miles; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with SoundThinking Inc., formerly ShotSpotter, Inc., without delay, for use of a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis program, to provide continuity of service since the prior contract expired on February 6, 2025, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contract with SoundThinking, Inc. for use of the ShotSpotter system. This contract provides for a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis system with the capability to be integrated with existing City technology infrastructure in order to adequately capture, layer, and share data across technology platforms.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $661,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 General Fund, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to Competitive bidding for this purchase and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.