Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services in an amount up to $50,080.00.
The Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021. Ordinance 2629-2021 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to waive Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. for the software. After three years of use, the Housing Division would like to continue using the software, to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.
In October 2021, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2629-2021 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
In December 2022, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 3413-2022 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
In November 9, 2023, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2974-2023 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding. The current contract expires on December 14, 2024.
In June 27, 2024, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 1687-2024 to modify the existing contract with Benevate, Inc to provide 16 additional licenses and Database Lookup functionality, and waived competitive bidding. The current contract expires on December 14, 2024.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 039660 and expires 10/16/2025.
Waiver Request: A waiver of the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329.18 is being requested, as Neighborly is the only hosted software currently available for purchase that can address all of the City of Columbus, Department of Development, and Housing Division’s needs in one solution.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the transfer and expenditure of $50,080.00 from the Department of Development’s 2024 General Fund Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. in an amount up to $50,080.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; and to authorize the transfer and expenditure of $50,080.00. ($50,080.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021 and has integrated it into its daily operations; and
WHEREAS, Neighborly is a cloud based software package that will enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development request approval to waive the competitive bidding requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329.18, to modify a contract with Benevate Inc.; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Benevate Inc., in an amount up to $50,080.00 to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $50,080.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing Division), object class 01 (Personnel) to Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,080.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 4410 (Housing), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That City Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provision of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes to enter into this agreement and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 5. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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 this legislation shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.