Explanation
In 2019, the city executed a formal bid for industrial hygiene and occupational safety and health professional services. The RFP was published on December 11, 2019 and bids were opened on January 9, 2020. All information was available on the city’s vendor services website. Safex Inc. was the only vendor to submit a bid. The Department of Human Resources Occupational Safety and Health Program Manager worked with Safex, Inc. to develop a favorable agreement. The result was a three year contract, beginning March 1, 2020, and lasting for three years. Following the third year and assuming sufficient appropriation, two additional one-year contract extensions are permissible.
The Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) encourages employers to enhance occupational safety and health programs and initiatives. This legislation enables the city to do so and exhibits an ongoing effort to promote workplace safety and efficient claims management. This contract allows the city to provide industrial hygiene and occupational safety services, as required by state and federal law. Since 2004, Safex Inc. has done an outstanding job of responding to the needs of city departments. Continuing the existing contractual relationship with Safex Inc. enables the administration to achieve its objective of improving the level of workplace safety and decreasing the risk of exposure to injury. This female owned business has helped the city in all aspects of industrial hygiene and occupational safety tasks in an efficient and cost effective manner.
The contract term is for three years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, subject to sufficient appropriation.
This contract shall run from March 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025. This is the second of the two permissible one-year contract extensions.
Safex Inc.’s contract compliance number is 311365251.
Emergency action is requested in order that industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance may continue without disruption.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this contract totals $100,000.00 and is specifically budgeted in the 2024 employee benefit fund budget and is contingent on passage of Ordinance 3012-2023, the 2024 other funds appropriation legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to contract with Safex Inc. for the purpose of providing assistance as may be necessary in industrial hygiene services and occupational safety program assistance to all divisions; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the employee benefits fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the city desires to continue to provide occupational safety and industrial hygiene services in an efficient, cost effective and consistent manner; and
WHEREAS, these services have assisted the city in decreasing the risk of exposure to workplace injuries; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to contract with Safex Inc. to provide the aforementioned services;
WHEREAS, the contract term is for three years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods; and
WHEREAS, this contract shall run March 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025 and represents the second of two permissible one year contract extensions; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay contract costs for these services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Safex Inc. so that the Citywide industrial hygiene services may continue without interruption 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 the Department of Human Resources is hereby authorized to extend and renew the contract with Safex Inc. to assist the city in providing occupational safety and industrial hygiene services, and safety program assistance to all divisions. This contract shall run from March 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in the Employee Benefits Fund 5502 in object class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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.