Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Liquid Oxygen with Airgas USA LLC. The Division of Water is the sole user of liquid oxygen. It is used as an oxidation agent for potable water at two (2) City of Columbus Water Plants. The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2027, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on January 25, 2024. In addition, the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO002253.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 329 relating to competitive bidding (Request for Quotation No. RFQ026501). Three (3) bids were received.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder as follows:
Airgas USA LLC, CC# 009314 expires 10/24/24, All Items, $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $680,000, Division of Water, the sole user
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation be considered an emergency ordinance to insure a continuous supply of this bulk treatment chemical used in water treatment, as the current contract will expire 3/31/24.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO002253. City Agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Liquid Oxygen with Airgas USA, LLC; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Liquid Oxygen UTC will provide for the purchase of materials used as an oxidation agent at two (2) water treatment plants; and,
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on January 25, 2024 and selected the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities that in order to ensure a continuous supply of these materials it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to immediately enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Liquid Oxygen, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into the following contract for the option to purchase Liquid Oxygen in accordance with Request for Quotation RFQ026501 for a term of approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2027, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year, as follows:
Liquid Oxygen, All Items, $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO002253 of this ordinance to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reason 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.