Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a professional services contract with BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. to conduct an availability study. The contract amount is up to $374,462.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2025, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion went out to bid via RFP - RFQ031565 - for professional and consulting services to conduct an availability study. professional and consulting services are needed by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in order to ascertain essential business data and meaningful insights through data collection and analysis. Findings from the availability study will inform policy decisions. The RFP process was conducted in accordance with Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
The RFP team reviewed eleven proposals and interviewed the top three finalists. The three proposals from the top finalists were submitted by the following firms:
1. BBC Research & Consulting, Inc.
2. Keen Independent Research, LLC
3. Measurement Resources Company, LLC
After careful consideration and evaluation, BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. was selected for the firm’s project approach, past performance, quality and feasibility, competency, offeror ability, response clarity, and efficiency.
BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. is an approved vendor with the City, with vendor compliance number CC-018879, expiration date 3/3/2028. The contract term is up to 12 months.
Fiscal Impact:
A portion of the funding of $172,114.65 for this contract is budgeted and available per Ordinance 3414-2025 and funds reserved in the General Fund under ACPO012719.
The remaining balance of $202,347.35 for this contract has been planned and is available within the Division’s 2026 General Fund budget. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2026 Operating Budget, Ordinance 2938-2025.
Emergency Justification:
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to prevent delays to the division’s availability study and to utilize the 2025 General Funds in which a portion of this contract was budgeted.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a professional services contract with BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. for up to $374,462.00 to conduct an Availability Study; to authorize the expenditure of $202,347.35 from the general fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary; and to declare an emergency. ($202,347.35)
Body
WHEREAS, an availability study must be conducted to ascertain essential business data and meaningful insights through data collection and analysis to inform policy decisions; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Director of the Office of Diversity to enter into a professional services contract with BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. for $374,462.00 to complete the availability study; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion where it is immediately necessary to obtain the results of the study in order to inform policy decisions and prevent delay of receipt of information from this work, all for the immediate preservation of public health, peace, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into contract with BBC Research & Consulting, Inc. for professional and consulting services to conduct an availably study, in an amount totaling up to $374,462.00
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $202,347.35 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 40 03 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; including funds reserved under ACPO012719 in the amount of $172,114.65 .
SECTION 3. That the contract authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance is hereby entered into pursuant to Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
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 to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.