Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Support Services to engage in the first year of a three-year contract with Language Lines Services, Inc. for telephonic interpretation services in the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center.
The Division of Support Services published a bid on April 3, 2026 for proposals to establish a telephonic translation services contract with a single vendor. During this process, a 7-person committee was put together containing individuals within Department of Public Safety, Division of Support Services, Police and Fire to oversee and evaluate the project. The project closed on April 24, 2026 resulting in 10 submissions from vendors throughout the area.
The committee was tasked to review said submissions and score all submissions based on qualifications, competence, ability, cost, and past performances. Based on these criteria’s the committee selected one vendor based on highest total overall score. It has been determined by the committee that the RFP should be awarded to Language Lines Services, Inc.
Language Lines Services, Inc. put forth the best qualified bid based on qualifications, ability and competence. The committee scored them roughly 5 points higher than the runner up. Language Lines Services, Inc. is not necessarily the lowest bid from a cost perspective but their scores in qualifications, ability, past performance and competence did exceed in all other areas scored compared to the others.
Contract Compliance number: CC-010275 Language Line Services, Inc 77-0586710, expires February 27, 2027.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that this contract for telephonic interpretation services is executed in the shortest possible time to ensure the optimum level of this critical service to the citizens of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this contract are budgeted and available in the Public Safety Division of Support Services 2026 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into the first year of a three-year contract with Language Line Services, Inc. for telephonic interpretation services; to authorize the expenditure of $120,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($120,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Support Services has a need for telephonic interpretation services for the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center; and
WHEREAS, a formal bidding process was conducted through RFQ032490, which closed on April 24, 2026, and Language Line Services, Inc., receiving the highest overall score, and;
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety desires to enter into a three year contract with Language Line Services, Inc. and encumber funds for the first year of this contract, and;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Support Services, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Language Lines Services, Inc. for telephonic interpretation services in the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center to ensure the continuation of support in the City's 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center without interruption, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare, and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into a three-year contract with Language Lines Services, Inc. for telephonic interpretation services in the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center, for the Division of Support Services.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $120,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended for the first year of this contract from the 2026 General Operating Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish accounting codes as necessary.
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 at the earliest period allowed by law, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.