Explanation
BACKGROUND: To establish a contract for the option to purchase Soda Ash for the Water Division, the largest user. The term of the proposed option contract will be one year with an option to renew for one additional year if mutually agreed. Contract expiration date is March 31, 2005.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 329.06 (Solicitation No. SA001051). Formal bids were opened on February 26, 2004. Sixty four (MAJ:61, M1A:3) bids solicited; two (MAJ:2) bids received.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award of a contract to the lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder:
OCI Chemical Corp., MAJ, CC#06-1446396
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $294,000.00
This company is not debarred according to the Federal Excluded Parties Listing.
This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency because, without emergency action, no less than thirty-seven days will be added to this procurement cycle and the efficient delivery of valuable public services will be slowed.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding to establish this option contract is budgeted in the Purchasing Contract Account. The Water Division will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance Director to enter into a contract for an option to purchase Soda Ash, with OCI Chemical Corp., to authorize the expenditure of one dollar to establish the contract from the Purchasing/Contract Operation Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on February 26, 2004 and selected the lowest, responsive, responsible and best bid; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance addresses Purchasing objectives of 1) maximizing the use of City resources by obtaining optimal products/services at low prices and 2) encouraging economic development by improving access to City bid opportunities and 3) providing effective option contracts for City agencies to efficiently maintain their supply chain and service to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Water Division uses soda ash to treat the City's water supply and the current contract is near expiration; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is being submitted for consideration as an emergency measure to ensure the City's water supply is safely maintained without interruption because without emergency action, no less than thirty-seven days will be added to the procurement cycle and that timing puts the availability of supplies at risk; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Water Division in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract for an option to purchase Soda Ash, 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 Finance Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract for an option to purchase Soda Ash in accordance with Solicitation No. SA001051 as follows:
OCI Chemical Corp., All Items, Amount: $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from Purchasing Contract Account, Organization Level 1: 45-01, Fund: 05-517, Object Level 3: 2270, OCA: 451130, to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble here to, 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.