Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Exposeyour, LLC in an amount up to $75,000.00 for the purpose of administering a program under Accelerate Columbus 2024. Through Accelerate Columbus, the City seeks to nurture a pipeline of entrepreneurs and small businesses that reflects the talent and diversity of Columbus. The ultimate objective of Accelerate Columbus 2024 is to provide structured qualitatively and quantitatively measurable programs that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In alignment with the Columbus Small Business Agenda, programs should have special consideration for businesses in low- to moderate-income areas, minority, and women-owned businesses.
In 2019, the City of Columbus launched Accelerate Columbus Small Business as part of a branded set of small business training, technical assistance, mentoring, and advisement programs targeting aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. Initially offered as a pilot program, the goal of the program was to provide structured as well as on-demand training, one-on-one advisement, and technical assistance to both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The Department utilized the Request for Proposals (RFP) process in accordance with City procurements standards to solicit proposals. Proposals were submitted in response to RFQ025308 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. The Director of Development will enter into contract with ten organizations under the authority of Columbus City Code Section 329.18. These six non-profit and four for-profit organizations will all provide different small business training and technical assistance programs under Accelerate Columbus 2024. Additional legislation concerning the other nine organizations will be submitted concurrently with this piece of legislation. The contract period is from January 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.
Approval is also requested for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting January 1, 2024, to cover expenses related to marketing the program to prospective clients, materials/supplies, and deposit on space for the planned cohorts.
These services cannot be provided by existing city employees as they do not have the resources to perform the program services.
Emergency action is requested to avoid any delay in administering the Accelerate Columbus 2024 program.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding for this contract is available on ACPO009769.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance 039621 expires 9/21/2025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Exposeyour LLC in an amount up to $75,000.00 for the purpose of administering a program under Accelerate Columbus 2024; to authorize the expenditure of $75,000.00 from ACPO009769; to authorize reimbursement of certain expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2019, the City of Columbus launched Accelerate Columbus Small Business as part of a branded set of small business training, technical assistance, and mentoring programs targeting aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the program was to provide structured training, and technical assistance to both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses; and
WHEREAS, programs and services to be offered under Accelerate Columbus are aimed at nurturing a pipeline of entrepreneurs and small businesses that reflects the talent and diversity of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development seeks to partner with Exposeyour LLC for the purpose of administering a program under Accelerate Columbus 2024 program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Exposeyour LLC to avoid any delay in administering the Accelerate Columbus 2024 program; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a contract with Exposeyour LLC in an amount up to $75,000.00 for the purpose of administering a program under an Accelerate Columbus 2024 program, and to allow for the payment of certain expenses incurred prior to the execution of the purchase order, starting January 1, 2024 related to marketing the program to prospective clients, materials/supplies, and deposit on space for the planned cohorts which expenses are hereby determined to be for a valid public purpose.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $75,000.00 is hereby authorized from ACPO009769.
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 this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Code.
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 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.