Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Safety to enter into a contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC in the amount of $175,648.00 to continue the Division of Fire's Distance Learning program. Since 2008, the Columbus Fire Division has contracted with a computer-based training content provider for their Distance Learning Project. The Fire Division's Distance Learning project was implemented to provide remote training in all fire stations via computer network. A computer-based training content provider is used to continue to provide and implement training, scheduling, and logging of employee training history, as well as software updates and support for the Fire Division.
Columbus Fire contracts with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC to deliver online Fire and EMS continuing education, under the parent company Vector Learning. Target Solutions is expandable and customizable, offering credentials tracking for many different specialties including DART, Haz-Mat, FAO, Investigator, Professional Standards, and ARFF training. TargetSolutions can track and notify members plus add informative videos to help fire personnel members meet their fitness and nutrition goals, and is also being used to track performance measures and identify training deficiencies. All Columbus Fire members are required by state law and the city to maintain the Firefighter, Fire Inspector, and EMS credentials. Columbus Fire has been using the TargetSolutions training platform since 2008, and is not currently seeking a alternative to the current solution; the Fire Division has built out credentials for Recruit, Apprentice, EMS Officer, and In-Service Training on a platform that is available 24/7 to fire personnel from any computer or portable device.
Contract Compliance: TargetSolutions Learning, LLC ~ 263827779 / Vendor 002494
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is required so that Fire's Distance Learning Program can continue uninterrupted.
Bid Waiver Justification: The Division of Fire has successfully implemented this specialized fire training software with TargetSolutions Learning LLC, the proprietary owner of its contents, and is not seeking replacement to this highly customized software.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $175,648.00 from the General Fund, for the expense for this contract between the Columbus Division of Fire and TargetSolutions Learning, LLC for 2024. The Fire Division spent $167,301.00 in 2023, $153,735.00 in 2022, and $153,735.00 in 2021 for these services. This ordinance is contingent upon passage of the 2024 General Fund Budget via Ordinance 3011-2023.
Title
To authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC for computer-based distance learning services for the Division of Fire; to authorize the expenditure of $175,648.00 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($175,648.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Fire Division needs to renew the yearly contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC for computer-based distance learning services, including training content, implementation, scheduling, and history logging, as well as software updates and support; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Fire, to enter into a contract with TargetSolutions Learning LLC for the aforementioned services; and
WHEREAS, a bid waiver is necessary as the Division of Fire is not seeking a replacement to the current training software supplied by TargetSolutions Learning LLC, the owner of this specialized proprietary software; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC for computer-based distance learning services so that Fire's Distance Learning Program can continue uninterrupted, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, 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 a contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC for computer-based distance learning services, including training content, implementation, scheduling, and history logging, and software updates and support for the Fire Division.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $175,648.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the general operating fund 1000-100010 per the accounting 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.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish 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.
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.