Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police Crime Lab has various scientific instruments that require maintenance and repair services by the manufacturer. This equipment is used to process and present evidence for criminal prosecutions, which requires our strict adherence to rules of evidence and established mandatory timeliness. The Division of Police has a need for maintenance and repair services with Life Technologies Corporation in order to ensure timely repair of broken equipment and adequately protect the City's investment. Life Technologies Corporation is the only provider of maintenance services on this equipment. Other providers were solicited but would contract through Life Technologies Corporation to provide services. Pricing was determined through service agreement quotation provided by Life Technologies Corporation to maintain the instruments to manufacturers specifications and maintenance schedule.
BID INFORMATION: The Division of Police is requesting a Bid Waiver on this contract as Life Technologies Corporation is the manufacturer and only provider of maintenance services on this equipment.
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.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is requested due to the expiration dates on current maintenance and service agreement which will keep the devices covered.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE NO: CC006302 with expiration date of June 21, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $67,420.87 from the Division of Police's General Fund operating budget with Life Technologies Corporation for a maintenance and repair contract for Crime Lab equipment. In 2024 the Division spent $33,936.79 with new machines still covered under warranty. In 2023 the Division spent/encumbered $58,979.88 and in 2022 the Division spent/encumbered $54,547.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into a contract for maintenance and repair services for the Division of Police Crime Lab instruments with Life Technologies Corporation; to award the contract in accordance with the sole source provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to authorize the expenditure of $67,420.87 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($67,420.87)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police has a need for the Director of Public Safety to enter into contract with Life Technologies Corporation for maintenance and repair services in order to ensure timely repair of broken equipment and adequately protect the City's investment; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Police has determined that it is in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding procedures of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to allow Life Technologies Corporation to maintain and service the Crime Lab Life technology instruments; and
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted for this purpose in the Division of Police's 2025 General Fund budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Life Technology to continue the maintenance and service as soon as possible to continue critical coverage as the current service is scheduled to expire in short order, all 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 Public Safety be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract for maintenance and repair services for Crime Lab instruments with Life Technologies Corporation.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $67,420.87 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in object class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Council finds it is in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code to allow the aforementioned contract with Life Technologies Corporation in accordance with the sole source procurement provisions of the City Codes and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, the City Auditor shall establish such account 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 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 6. That for reasons state 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.