Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Public Safety Director to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC to review and evaluate Columbus’ existing Alternative Response program and develop a plan for non-law enforcement response for some 911 calls for service.
The Public Safety Department advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Alternative Response Plan through the Vendor Services portal and Bonfire on April 30, 2024. Five proposals were received on June 12, 2024. A committee consisting of five representatives from Columbus Public Health, City Council, and Public Safety, evaluated both formal and written proposals in accordance with chapter 329 of the City Code. Mission Critical Partners was the highest rated firm by the evaluation committee. As authorized by Ordinance 2196-2024, passed July 29, 2024, the Department of Public Safety entered into contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC on November 6, 2024. That contract expired on November 5, 2025. The Department of Public Safety is seeking approval to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 in order to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC to allow for the completion of this important project.
This ordinance also authorizes the City Auditor to make payment to Mission Critical Partners, LLC for services rendered through the approval of a Then and Now Certificate.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $75,172.57 is available and appropriated for the payment of these expenditures in Fund 1000, Subfund 100010 within the Department of Public Safety as noted on the attached “Then and Now Certificate” as approved by the City Auditor.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested as funds are needed immediately to pay existing invoices.
Bid Waiver: The Department of Public Safety is seeking approval to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 in order to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC to allow for the completion of this important project.
Contract Compliance: Mission Critical Partners, LLC - Vendor #002532 - expires 9/10/26
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC to review and evaluate the City's existing Alternative Response program and develop a plan for non-law enforcement response for some 911 calls for service; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to authorize payment to Mission Critical Partners, LLC for services rendered as part of this project per invoices approved by the Department Director (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $75,172.57; to authorize the expenditure of $75,172.57 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($75,172.57)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has a continuing need for reevaluation of its existing Alternative Response Program and development of a plan for non-law enforcement response for some 911 calls for service; and
WHEREAS, The Public Safety Department advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Alternative Response Plan through the Vendor Services portal and Bonfire on April 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, five proposals to review and evaluate the Alternative Response program were received on June 12, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the proposals were evaluated in accordance with Section 329 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Public Safety Department awarded the contract to Mission Critical Partners LLC as the highest ranked offeror as authorized by Ordinance 2196-2024, passed July 29, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC expired on November 5, 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 in order to facilitate the completion of this important project; and
WHEREAS, Mission Critical Partners, LLC provided services to the City of Columbus after the expiration of the contract and will continue to provide services through March 31, 2026 as part of this new contract; and,
WHEREAS, after these services were rendered, the City received invoices for which purchase orders, with a prior certification of availability of funds by the City Auditor attached, had not been obtained; and,
WHEREAS, Section 5705.41 (D)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that in certain circumstances a political subdivision may authorize payment on a contract executed without prior certification by the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council now has before it a certificate from the City Auditor certifying there was at the time of making these contracts and at the time of the execution of such certificate a sufficient sum appropriated for the purpose of such contracts and in the treasury or in process of collection to the credit of an appropriate fund free from any encumbrances (a “then and now certificate”); and,
WHEREAS, less than thirty days have passed since the City Council’s receipt of the certificate from the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to satisfy the obligations of the contract; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a new contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC and to present this ordinance for the City Auditor to issue warrants in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41 (D)(1) to pay existing invoices, all 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 is hereby authorized to enter into a new contract with Mission Critical Partners LLC to review and evaluate the Alternative Response program and develop a plan for non-law enforcement response for some 911 calls for service.
SECTION 2. 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 contract and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 3. That City Council hereby acknowledges receipt of the “then and now certificate” from the City Auditor and authorizes and directs the City Auditor to authorize payment to the vendor per the invoices approved by the Department Director (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $75,172.57.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $75,172.57, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the General Fund 1000 in object class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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 7. 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 approved by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.