Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to establish blanket purchase orders for Wireless Communications Services from established State of Ohio Contracts for various agencies within the City of Columbus with Sprint Solutions Inc., Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA Inc., AT&T Mobility, and iSYS, LLC. These contracts were not bid but negotiated by the State of Ohio.
After market research and discussion with major user agencies, the Purchasing Office has determined it is not in the best interests of the City to procure one wireless communications contract for the City. The reasons for this are many. For example, the various wireless providers offer different strengths, making different providers a better fit for the needs of each division. It is also true that the wireless communications industry is in a state of constant change and innovation. Lastly, during the last City of Columbus procurement of wireless communications services, all but one of the offerors responded with their State of Ohio contract.
iSYS, LLC is a state contractor for telecom expense management. Allowing City agencies to access this state contract will give agencies the opportunity to contract with iSYS, LLC to assist in the evaluation of their wireless communications needs. iSYS specializes in reviewing agency usage and technical needs. In conjunction with their understanding of all available plans on state contracts, iSYS will help agencies make the proper operational and fiscal decisions in the wireless communications market.
Ordinance 0582-1987 authorizes City agencies to use State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services contracts when deemed cost effective. This ordinances asks that the Finance and Management Director be authorized to establish purchase orders of up to $100,000.00 without further Council approval for the listed contracts.
Bid Information: State of Ohio Term Contracts exists for this purchase.
Sprint Solutions Inc., CC# 470882463 (expires 01/14/2016).
Cellco DBA Verizon Wireless., CC# 223372889 (expires 03/20/2017).
AT&T Mobility., CC# 912016656 (expires 07/14/2017).
T-Mobile USA Inc. CC# 911983600 (expires 06/30/2017).
iSYS, LLC CC# 454095931 (in process).
These companies are not debarred according to the Federal Excluded Parties Listing or the State Auditor's Findings For Recovery Database.
This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency because Wireless Communications Services are necessary in the work environment of various city agencies and any discontinuation of this product would negatively affect the delivery of valuable public services. The current contract for this service is with Sprint Solutions Inc. (FL005003). The contract expires September 30, 2015.
FISCAL IMPACT: City Agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to issue purchase orders up to $100,000.00 for Wireless Communications Services for various agencies of the City of Columbus from existing Cooperative State of Ohio Term Contracts established for such purpose by the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services Purchasing Office with Sprint Solutions Inc., Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA Inc., AT&T Mobility and ISYS, LLC and to declare an emergency
Body
WHEREAS, the various City Agencies need to purchase Wireless Communications Services; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance addresses Purchasing objective of 1) maximizing the use of City resources by obtaining optimal products/services at low prices and 2) providing effective option contracts for City agencies to efficiently maintain their supply chain and service to the public; and
WHEREAS, because Wireless Communications Services will be used to provide services in conjunction with various other City projects, this is being submitted for consideration as an emergency measure; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the various City departments in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract for an option to purchase Wireless Communications Services, 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 the Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized to establish purchase orders up to $100,000.00 for each City agency for Wireless Communications Services in accordance with the existing State of Ohio Term Contracts established by the State of Ohio Purchasing Office with Sprint Solutions Inc., Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA Inc., AT&T Mobility and iSYS, LLC.
SECTION 2. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.