Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation waives competitive bidding and authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with The Shpigler Group to provide materials, labor and equipment necessary for a six-month Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) pilot project in Columbus' designated service territory known as the King- Lincoln District (KLD), to include modeling tools for assessing BPL service system-wide.
BPL technology is emerging and the products and services required are unique. Manassas, Virginia is executing the largest and only full scale municipal BPL project in the country that the Division of Electricity is aware of today. The Shpigler Group and its associate ZCorum, through their involvement in Manassas, Virginia's project, are identified as the single entity with the experience and capabilities required to provide the hardware and support services necessary to initiate a BPL internet access pilot project and conduct a feasibility study within the otherwise economically disadvantaged KLD urban area.
In an effort to overcome the technology divide, the Division of Electricity proposes to conduct this pilot project and feasibility study by making internet access available to existing Division of Electricity customers in the King-Lincoln District using BPL technology and existing fiber optics infrastructure owned by the Department of Technology. The pilot project will provide an Internet connection for up to fifty (50) Division of Electricity electric distribution service customers for approximately six months, at no charge to the customer. The target will be accessibility to economically disadvantaged households and commercial establishments.
The Mayor's office, through the Department of Development, included as part of its initiative for redevelopment of the urbanized KLD, assistance and support for increasing the use of technology and access to the worldwide web. The proposed BPL pilot project and an economical and practical ongoing BPL service would also enhance incentive and impetus for the area's redevelopment. Accordingly, The Shpigler Group's proposal, in the amount of $60,000.00, includes a feasibility assessment and modeling tool to be used for predicting and determining BPL cost-effectiveness and competitiveness in other Division of Electricity service areas.
It is requested that competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes be waived to enter into contract with The Shpigler Group to provide these unique services. Their contract compliance number is 460465730.
Emergency action is requested to begin the pilot project to coincide with construction of a new facility at the corner of Long Street and Hamilton Avenue and to provide sufficient lead time for field work required to finalize service territory for the pilot project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with The Shpigler Group to provide materials, labor and equipment necessary for a Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) pilot program in the Division of Electricity's service territory known as the King-Lincoln District (KLD); to waive the provisions of Columbus City Codes for awarding professional service contracts; to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 from the Division of Electricity Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Mayor's Office, through the Department of Development, included as part of its initiative for redevelopment of the urbanized King-Lincoln District (KLD) assistance and support for increasing the use of technology and access to the worldwide web; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to overcome the technology divide, the Division of Electricity proposes to conduct a six-month pilot project and feasibility study that would bring internet access to existing Division of Electricity electric customers in the KLD using Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) technology and existing fiber optics infrastructure owned by the Department of Technology; and
WHEREAS, BPL technology pilot projects have been or are being considered locally in Dublin and within the state in Cincinnati and Gloucester; and
WHEREAS, BPL technology is emerging and the products and services are only provided by a limited few pioneers in the industry; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interest that the provisions of competitive bidding be waived to enter into a contract with The Shpigler Group based upon their involvement in the largest full scale BPL project in the country today in Manassas, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary so that the pilot project may coincide with construction of a new facility at the corner of Long Street and Hamilton Avenue; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Electricity, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with The Shpigler Group for a Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) pilot project in the King-Lincoln District thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, this Council finds the best interest of the City is served by waiving, and does hereby waive Section 329.12, Process for awarding professional service contracts exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with The Shpigler Group, in the amount of $60,000.00, to provide materials, labor and equipment necessary for a six-month Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) pilot project in the Division of Electricity's service territory known as the King-Lincoln District (KLD) for the Division of Electricity.
SECTION 3. That to pay the cost of the aforesaid contract, the expenditure of $60,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Division of Electricity Operating Fund 550, Division Number 60-07, OCA 600700, Object Level Three 3336.
SECTION 4. 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.