Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a non-profit service contract in an amount up to $500,000.00 with the Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus, LLC. Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC is the non-profit organization created to continue the efforts of the Smart Columbus US Department of Transportation Grant.
The mission of Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC is to create an agile and collaborative innovation lab that delivers impact through leadership, partnership, and project delivery.
Thought leadership is developing and advocating for a point of view on the future of cities, convening like-minded cities, our community ad partners to accelerate learning and imagine a different future together, and inspire future change by telling the story of the ecosystem’s work and impact and uplifting stories of impact across the region.
Fostering an ecosystem of partnerships motivated by, invested in, and taking action toward, a shared vision through one or more of the following levels:
Counsel: Smart Columbus, LLC provides advice and guidance to those in the public-private academic communities.
Connect Partners: Smart Columbus, LLC introduces and connects businesses and individuals in our ecosystem to one another to foster collaborations.
Develop Strategy: Smart Columbus, LLC develops a strategy for identified projects or areas of impact.
Build and deploy solutions: Smart Columbus, LLC builds and deploys solutions for identified projects or areas of impact.
Smart Columbus, LLC delivers impact through human-centered, technology-enabled solutions co-created with the community. Projects include the following: Intersectional, New and Next, Impactful, Doable, and Real. The organization supports a portfolio of projects that are initiated and financially supported in different business models. The models are:
Incubator Model: The organization will proactively invest in an idea or domain area, taking it through incubation, market analysis, and product development with invested resources. This direct influence on creating a solution requires high investment but allows for building and influencing of solutions to impact a defined area of work. The projects are longer term commitments and iterative to get to impact outcomes and are funded by grants and community investment.
Consulting Model: This model uses Smart Columbus, LLC as a project manager on selected projects or ideas owned by existing entities, businesses, and/or partners. These engagements could be more short term and are funded by a project management fee.
Smart Columbus, LLC supports plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives.
These funds will also be used to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the City of Columbus.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Fiscal Impact: The funds for this expenditure have been identified and are available within the Department of Technology, Information Services Division, Information Services Operating Fund. An appropriation of funds will be necessary.
Contract Compliance:
Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC.
Vendor No. 045611
Expiration: 6/6/25
Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC ‘s contract compliance number is in the process of being renewed.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The department requests emergency designation for this ordinance so that a Purchase Order can be established at the earliest possible time in order for funds to be available for Smart Columbus to continue its services without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a non-profit services contract with Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC in an amount up to $500,000.00 to support the ongoing efforts and work of the Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC organization; to appropriate $500,000.00 in the Information Services Operating Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Information Services Operating Fund and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC was created through a US Department of Transportation grant; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC, a non-profit organization, is in the next phase of the work, after the end of the original grant; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC is to create an agile and collaborative innovation lab that delivers impact through thought leadership, partnership, and project delivery; and
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus, LLC will lead private sector elements of the Climate Action plan and Electrification efforts, as well as assist with activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Technology in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a non-profit service contract with Smart Columbus, LLC for the support the ongoing efforts and work of the organization and to allow for its services to continue without interruption, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Technology is authorized to enter into a non-profit service contract with the Columbus Partnership of Ohio LLC dba Smart Columbus LLC for ongoing operational support in the amount of $500,000.00.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $500,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 5100 (Information Services Operating Fund), Dept-Div 4701 (DoT Administration), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purposes stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5100 (Information Services Operating Fund), Dept-Div 4701 (DoT Administration), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 5. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and transfers authorized to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.