Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management, is responsible for treating Columbus roadways for ice and snow. The Department participated in a program with Swenson Products, wherein four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreaders were lent to the City without cost for demonstration purposes. At the end of the demonstration period, rather than ship the units back to Swenson, the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management was given the option to purchase the same four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreaders at the discounted price of $25,000 per unit rather than the initial price of $33,000 per unit. This is a savings of over $8,000 per unit, and an overall savings of $32,000. This ordinance authorizes a bidding waiver to allow the division to procure the spreaders.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Swenson Products’ contract compliance number is C025908 and expires 06/06/2020.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for this expenditure from the Street and Highway Bonds Fund, Fund 7704. A bid waiver is requested due to the special circumstances of the demonstration units being offered at a savings to the Department of Service.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The department requests emergency designation for this legislation so as to ensure that the division procures the units for a discounted price prior to the beginning of the 2018-2019 snow season.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Swenson Products for the purchase of four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreader units to be used for snow and ice control; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Street and Highways Bonds Fund for the purchase of the four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreaders; to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code; and declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management, is responsible for snow and ice removal along the City's roadway system; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Infrastructure Management desires to purchase four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreader units to assist with snow and ice removal; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 in order to procure the demonstration units since they are being offered at a savings to the Department of Service; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the purchase of said units so they can arrive in time to be used this winter, thereby preserving 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 Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Swenson Products to purchase four Schmidt Stratos B70 spreaders units on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Streets and Highways Bond Fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 4. 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 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 the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
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 10 days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.