Background
BACKGROUND: This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. for the purpose of continued software licenses, subscriptions and training. Pen-Link is a computer software investigative tool that takes in historical data from search warrants. The information may come from different electronic sources such as cell phones and social media accounts. The new upgraded system will allow investigators to conduct live monitoring and view conversations in real-time with images and videos. The updated system will allow users to map calls and ping locations on suspects. A new sharing feature will also allow users access to a larger database to search and to determine if a suspect is under investigation by other law enforcement agencies.
Bid Information: The original contract was competitively bid in 2013. Pen-Link is the sole source provider of all Pen-Link Software products, series, training, maintenance, software updates, hardware, and configurations. Pen-Link systems must be purchased and serviced by Pen-Link or the agency risks voiding warranties. Pen-Link utilizes no agents, dealers, or distributors to resell the product and is the only product on the market that utilizes an Oracle Database and interface that allows users to input, analyzes, store and search historic telephone and IP data and cannot be competitively bid. Therefore the Division of Police is asking for a bid waiver to continue with the software licenses and training in accordance with relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
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:
Vendor Name: Pen-Link
(DAX Vendor Acct. #: 0020924); CC-020924 Expiration Date: 5/30/2025
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is requested for this ordinance so there is no lapse in maintenance and service availability for the Pen-Link software currently in use.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $117,856.49 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. to provide computer software licenses and subscriptions that aid in obtaining and analyzing electronic information crucial to resolving cases; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $117,856.49 from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($117,856.49)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. to continued software licenses, subscriptions and training of the Pen-Link system that aids in obtaining and analyzing electronic information crucial to resolving cases; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $117,856.49 is authorized from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund for this purpose, and
WHEREAS, this ordinance requests a waiver of competitive bidding in accordance with relevant sole source provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, to authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into a contract for maintenance and service with Pen-Link so that necessary maintenance and service may continue uninterrupted, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. to purchase continued software licenses, subscriptions and training of the Pen-Link system that aids in obtaining and analyzing electronic information crucial to resolving cases.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $117,856.49, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund per the accounting codes attached to this legislation.
SECTION 3: 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 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 Council finds it in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code to enter into this contract and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 6: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, 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.