Explanation
Background: The ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water to enter into contract with Agilent Technologies Inc. for a Laboratory Gas Chromatograph Instrument, in an amount not to exceed $85,027.66.
The instrument will be used to analyze disinfection byproducts to comply with EPA monitoring requirements. The Director of Columbus Water and Power publicly opened the bid on September 17, 2026. Two bids were received from Agilent Technologies Inc. and QuakeLogic Inc. RFQ033520
Agilent Technologies Inc.’s bid was deemed the lowest, most responsive and responsible bid.
VENDOR: Agilent Technologies, Inc., Vendor #10267, expires 3/24/2027
FISCAL IMPACT: $85,027.66 is available for this contract in the 2026 Water Operating Fund
$0.00 was spent in 2025
$0.00 was spent in 2024
Bid Waiver Justification: The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding via Request for Quotation No. RFQ033520. Two (2) bids were received. The original quotes submitted with both bids did not meet the bid specification's 180 day quote requirement. Purchasing has advised that due to the expiration date of the quote the vendor’s bids have been deemed nonresponsive. The City is seeking a bid waiver to award the bid to the lowest of the two responses, Agilent Technologies Inc. was the lowest bidder, Purchasing has reached out to them to see if they would extend the expiration date to meet the 180 day requirement. Vendor was unable to meet this request; however, they supplied an updated quote to hold pricing through the end of the year.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order for the vendor to hold the pricing per the quote. Of the two bids received, Agilent Technologies, Inc. was the lowest. This will help to provide uninterrupted work flow and to avoid a delay in receiving the instrument used for EPA monitoring requirements.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into contract with Agilent Technologies Inc. for a Laboratory Gas Chromatograph Instrument for the Division of Water; to authorize the expenditure of $85,027.66 from within the Water Operating Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($85,027.66)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a contract with Agilent Technologies Inc. for a Laboratory Gas Chromatograph Instrument for the Division of Water; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $85,027.66 with the Water Operating Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 as the original quote supplied by Agilent Technologies Inc. was deemed non-responsive. However, they are the lowest bidder and have since supplied an updated quote that conforms to the requirement that it must remain valid for 180-days; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with Agilent Technologies Inc. for a Laboratory Gas Chromatograph Instrument in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of Solicitation Number RFQ033520 on file in the Purchasing Office and to avoid a delay in receiving the instrument used for EPA monitoring requirements, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Agilent Technologies Inc. for a Laboratory Gas Chromatograph Instrument in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of Solicitation Number RFQ033520 on file in the Purchasing Office.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
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 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 5. That this Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to competitive bidding for this purchase and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $85,027.66, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and is hereby authorized in object class 06 Capital Outlay, within the Water Operating Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.