Explanation
BACKGROUND: On April 11, 2011, City Council approved Ordinance No. 0564-2011 authorizing the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Everbridge, Inc., for the development and implementation of a county-wide mass communication / notification infrastructure called the Central Ohio Health Alert Network (COHAN). COHAN is a web-based communication system that enables local public health leaders to effectively communicate information during a health-related emergency.
This ordinance provides for the continued operations of the COHAN system and an application upgrade. This ordinance waives the provisions of the Columbus City Code dealing with competitive bids because the contract is a continuation of an already existing alerting and notification system that was built-out for Columbus Public Health (CPH) nearly 3 years ago. The new contract provides for an upgrade to the system and costs far less than the purchase of a new system.
Everbridge (Federal ID No. 26-2919312) is in the process of activating their Contract Compliance Number. Emergency action is requested in order to ensure the continued operations of the COHAN system
FISCAL IMPACT: CPH negotiated the $40, 256.25 contract with Everbridge to be in effect until March 31, 2015. The monies to pay the cost for this contract are provided for in the State Health Subsidy Grant.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Everbridge, Inc., for the continuation and upgrade of a county-wide mass communication infrastructure; to authorize the expenditure of $40,256.25 from the Health Department Grants Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($40,256.25)
Body
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2011, City Council approved Ordinance No. 0564-2011 authorizing the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Everbridge, Inc., for the development and implementation of a county-wide mass communication / notification infrastructure called the Central Ohio Health Alert Network (COHAN).
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to renew the contract with Everbridge, Inc., for the continuation and upgrade of COHAN; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance waives the provisions of the Columbus City Code dealing with competitive bids because the contract is a continuation of an already existing alerting and notification system that was built-out for Columbus Public Health nearly 3 years ago; and,
WHEREAS, the new contract will extend services through March 31, 2015; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into this contract for the continuation and upgrade of a county-wide mass communication infrastructure 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Everbridge, Inc., for the continuation and upgrade of a county-wide mass communication infrastructure through March 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract the expenditure of $40,256.25 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 251, Department No. 50, Grant Number 508001, OCA 500066, Object Level One - 03, Object Level Three - 3336.
SECTION 3. That the provisions of Sections 329.05, 329.06 and 329.11 of the Columbus City Code are hereby waived.
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 the City Auditor is authorized 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 stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.