Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, LLC for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services, and to also add 5 additional user subscriptions for the Division of Housing Stability, in an amount up to $96,128.00.
The Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021. Ordinance 2629-2021 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to waive Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and enter into a contract with Benevate, LLC for the software. After five years of use, the Housing Division would like to continue using the software, to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.
On October 2021, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2629-2021 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
On December 2022, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 3413-2022 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
On November 9, 2023, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2974-2023 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
On June 27, 2024, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 1687-2024 to modify the existing contract with Benevate, Inc. to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
On October 24, 2024 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2636-2024 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
On March 5, 2025 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 0065-2025 to add an additional $8,000.00 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding. The current contract expires on December 14, 2025.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 039660 and expires 10/16/2025.
Waiver Request: A waiver of the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329 is being requested, as Neighborly is the only hosted software currently available for purchase that can address all of the City of Columbus, Department of Development, Housing and Housing Stability Division’s needs in one solution.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $96,128.00 from the Department of Development’s 2025 General Fund Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, LLC in an amount up to $96,128.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services, and 5 additional user subscriptions; to authorize a transfer of $38,000.00 between object classes within the Division of Housing Stability; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; and to authorize the expenditure of $96,128.00. ($96,128.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, LLC in an amount up to $96,128.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services and 5 additional user subscriptions; to authorize a transfer of $38,000.00 between object classes within the Division of Housing Stability; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; and to authorize the expenditure of $96,128.00; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021 and has integrated it into its daily operations; and
WHEREAS, Neighborly is a cloud based software package that will enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development request approval to waive the competitive bidding requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329, to enter into a contract with Benevate, LLC.; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Benevate, LLC in an amount up to $96,128.00 to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $38,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-12 (Housing Stability Division), object class 01 (Personnel) to Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $58,128.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 4410 (Housing), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $38,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 4412 (Housing Stability Division), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That City Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provision of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes to enter into this agreement.
SECTION 6. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That this ordinance shall take and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.