Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police Crime Lab was awarded Federal Grant 2022-AR-CLB-907A. The grant is to be used to purchase equipment for The Division of Police Crime Lab. The Crime Lab needs to purchase a Leeds LCF3 Comparison Microscope for use in firearms/toolmarks forensic work. The specialty microscope will compare and identify spent bullets, casings, and tool-marks. The special design of the microscope allows an examiner to look at two images at the same time.
BID INFORMATION: The Leeds LCF3 was not bid out because Leeds Precision Instruments Inc. is the sole manufacturer and provider of said microscopes being used in the crime lab. In addition all personnel performing firearms comparison casework in the Firearms Section have training and experience on microscopes manufactured by Leeds Precision Instruments. An alternate item would not be compatible with the existing training, cameras, accessories, and other microscopes used in the Firearms Section
Leeds Precision Instruments Inc. is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: CC-007847 expires 6-1-2026
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $90,703.00 from the General Government Grant Fund for the purchase of a Leeds LCF3 Comparison Microscope for the Police Crime Lab
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is necessary in order to meet grant timelines and procure the microscope prior to the end of the award period in approximately six months.
Title
To authorize and direct the City of Columbus Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments Inc. for the purchase of a Leeds LCF3 Comparison Microscope for the Division of Police in accordance with the bid waiver provisions of Columbus City Code, to authorize the expenditure of $90,703.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($90,703.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Division of Police is in need of a Leeds LCF3 Comparison Microscope for comparing and identifying spent bullets, casings and tool-marks; and
WHEREAS, this purchase was budgeted in the General Government Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to enter into this contract in accordance with the bid waiver provisions of Section 329 City of Columbus Codes, 1959; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. for the purchase of LCF3 Comparison Microscope due to timeline constraints of grant funds 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 City of Columbus Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. to purchase a Leeds LCF3 Comparison Microscope.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $90,703.00, or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in object class 06 according to the attachment.
SECTION 3. That said contract shall be awarded in accordance with the bid waiver provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Code.
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 or ten days after passage is the Mayor neither approves or vetoes the same.