Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Trees and Nursery Stock with Schichtels Nursery, Inc. The Department of Recreation and Parks is the primary user of Trees and Nursery stock, purchasing trees, shrubs, perennials and other plant materials for use city-wide. The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2029, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on January 15, 2026. In addition, the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 329 relating to competitive bidding (Request for Quotation No. RFQ031863). One (1) bid was received.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder as follows:
Schichtels Nursery, Inc., CC# 000822 expires 1-15-2028, All Items, $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $135,000, Department of Recreation and Parks, the primary user
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation to be considered an emergency ordinance because the current contract will expire March 31, and materials are needed for spring planting.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264. City Agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Trees and Nursery Stock with Schichtels Nursery, Inc.; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Trees and Nursery Stock UTC will provide for the purchase of trees, shrubs, and various other planting materials for use city-wide; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on January 15, 2026 and selected the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks, to be prepared for spring planting is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to immediately enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Trees and Nursery Stock, 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 Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to enter into the following contract for the option to purchase Trees and Nursery Stock in accordance with Request for Quotation RFQ031863 for a term of approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2029, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof, as follows:
Schichtels Nursery, Inc., All Items, $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264 of this ordinance to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reason 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.