City of Columbus - File #: 0767-2013

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Action Details	Meeting Details
4/4/2013	1	CITY CLERK	Attest		Action details	Meeting details
4/2/2013	1	MAYOR	Signed		Action details	Meeting details
4/1/2013	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed		Action details	Meeting details
4/1/2013	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass	Action details	Meeting details

Explanation

BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes a contract for the purchase of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) and associated supplies from Vance's Outdoor Inc., for the Division of Police in the amount of $199,862.13. This ordinance also waives competitive bidding. The Department of Public Safety, Division of Police needs to establish a contract for the purchase of replacement CEWs and ancillary supplies and warranties because a significant portion of the current 435 CEWs used by Police are either out of certification or soon will be. The last major purchase of CEWs in the Division of Police was in 2004. The Division of Police believes that only the CEW manufactured by Taser International Inc., is acceptable due to street use, training, certification, and re-certification required for all police officers. There is only one supplier in the Ohio area authorized to sell tasers, cartridges, warranty and accessories. Taser International has stated that the only authorized dealer in Ohio is Vance's Outdoors Inc. Therefore, this ordinance requests a waiver of competitive bidding. Anothercompnay does manufacture a CEW but the Police Division does not believe it is suitable for its needs. This other product, produced by Karbon Arms, has been tested by Division of Police personnel, and has been determined to not operate in a manner acceptable to those trained in its use. Therefore, the Division recommends that it is in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the City Code to allow for this purchase.

The Division of Police is requesting that the Director of Finance and Management enter into contract for the purchase of replacement CEWs, CEW cartridges, CEW holsters, and CEW warranties in the amount of $199,862.13 from Vance's Outdoors Inc. This ordinance also appropriates funds in the Safety Initiative Fund in order to process this purchase.

This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.

Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested, as Vance's Outdoors Inc. is currently offering a $150 trade in credit program through the end of March 2013.

Contract Compliance Number: 54-2072038, expires 02/08/2014

FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $199,862.13 from the Safety Initiative Fund for the purchase of replacement (CEWs), (CEW) supplies, and warranties from Vance Outdoors Inc. City Council added $200,000 to the Safety Initiative Fund as part of its 2013 budget amendments specifically for this purchase. The Division of Police spent $95,285.00 for (CEW) supplies in 2012, $108,145.70 in 2011, and $98,528.85 in 2010.

Title

To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract for the purchase of replacement Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs), CEW cartridges, and CEW holsters with Vance's Outdoors Inc. for the Division of Police, to authorize an appropriation in the Safety Initiative funds, to authorize the expenditure of $199,862.13 from the Safety Initiative Fund, to waive the provisions of competitive bidding, and to declare an emergency. ($199,862.13)

Body

WHEREAS, the Division of Police needs to replace outdated (CEWs) and purchase (CEW) cartridges and holsters; and

WHEREAS, Vance's Outdoors Inc. is the only authorized dealer in Ohio for Taser International; and

WHEREAS, an appropriation is necessary in the Safety Initiative Fund to account for both this purchase as well as the expenses related to ten (10) recruits who will enter the Academy in June; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City that competitive bidding be waived for this purchase; and

WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract for the purchase of replacement (CEWs), (CEW) cartridges, (CEW) holsters, and (CEW) warranties to maintain the supply, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now, therefore

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:

SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Vance's Outdoors Inc. for the option to purchase replacement Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs), CEW cartridges, CEW holsters, and CEW warranties in accordance with the negotiated pricing of all items specified in the amount of $199,862.13.

SECTION 2. That an appropriation of funds is needed in the Safety Initiative Funds as follows:

SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $199,862.13, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized as follows:

SECTION 4. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of Columbus City Codes, this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Codes to permit the aforementioned purchase.

SECTION 5. 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 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from the after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.