Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to renew an agreement with Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC (fka GE Digital LLC / GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC) for the maintenance of software licenses and support.
Prior legislation (Ordinance 1906-2025) authorized the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to amend an existing contract (established under Ordinance 1120-2025) with GE Digital LLC for the maintenance of software licenses and support for the Division of Water Reclamation, in accordance with sole-source provisions of City Code. GE Digital LLC underwent a company reorganization and moved forward under a new name, GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC. As such, the supplier portions of the original legislation were amended to reflect this change. GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC (fka GE Digital LLC) was then sold on March 2nd, 2026 and is now under a new legal entity, Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC.
The Sewer Maintenance Operation Center (SMOC) and the Jackson Pike (JPWRP) and Southerly (SWRP) Water Reclamation Plants utilize this software to monitor their plant-wide control systems and operations. At SMOC, the software monitors remote pump and lift stations, as well as level sensors and flow meters throughout the City. There are two (2) products covered by the support agreement: iFix is the control software for supervisors and operators, which controls all plant processes and systems, and iHistorian, which records a historical database of approximately 64,000+ data points monitored daily at Division of Water Reclamation (DOWR) facilities. This agreement includes updates to each product to its most up-to-date version.
The license renewals and maintenance support agreement for the existing software and licenses will go into effect on the date of execution and expire on September 12, 2027.
Velotic HoldCo LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC (fka GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC / GE Digital LLC) is the developer of the software and has a partnership with Gray Matter Systems as the sole provider of all software support and maintenance. This agreement will be established in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to sole-source procurement.
SUPPLIER:
Velotic HoldCo LP dba InnovatePro Management USA LLC | Federal EIN on file | D365 Vendor #055159 | Pending Vendor Certification.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$215,270.25 is budgeted and needed for this expense.
$200,208.25 was spent in 2025
$194,554.61 was spent in 2024
$185,867.27 was spent in 2023
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency due to the upcoming expiration of the existing software contract in September 2026, to avoid a lapse in service coverage of critical DOWR software.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract renewal, in accordance with sole-source provisions of City Code, with Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC for the maintenance of software licenses and maintenance support for the Division of Water Reclamation, to authorize the expenditure of $215,270.25 from the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($215,270.25)
Body
WHEREAS, after passage of Ordinance 1120-2025, GE Digital LLC underwent a company reorganization and went forward with the name GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC; and
WHEREAS, due to this reorganization, Ordinance 1906-2025 authorized the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to amend Ordinance 1120-2025 and the related contract with GE Digital LLC for the maintenance of software licenses and maintenance support for the Division of Water Reclamation.; and
WHEREAS, after passage of Ordinance 1906-2025, GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC underwent a sale of the company and will be going forward with the name Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Sewer Maintenance Operation Center and the Jackson Pike and Southerly Water Reclamation Plants have various operating and process systems that are monitored and controlled by software; and
WHEREAS, Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC (fka GE Vernova / GE Digital LLC) is the developer of the software and has partnered with Gray Matter Systems as the sole provider of support and maintenance for the software; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to sole-source procurement; and
WHEREAS, the existing software licenses and corresponding support agreement expire September 12, 2026, so there is a need for the Division of Water Reclamation to enter into a renewal; and
WHEREAS, the proposed license renewals and support agreement are for one (1) year and will expire on September 12, 2027; and
WHEREAS, there are two (2) software products covered by this support agreement: iFix for supervisors and operators, which controls all plant processes and systems, and iHistorian, which records a historical database of approximately 64,000+ points monitored daily at Division of Water Reclamation facilities; and
WHEREAS, this agreement includes updates to each product to its most up-to-date version; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $215,270.25, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water Reclamation, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract renewal for the maintenance of licenses and support of software, to avoid a lapse in service coverage of critical DOWR software, to avoid a lapse in service coverage of critical Division of Water Reclamation; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the previous supplier of software maintenance and support services utilized by DOWR, GE Digital LLC, underwent a reorganization and went forward as GE Vernova Electrification Software Holdings LLC, which was then sold on March 2nd, 2026 and became Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a contract renewal with Velotic Hold Co LP dba InnovatePro Management USA, LLC, 200 Foxborough Blvd, Foxboro, MA 02035, for software licenses, maintenance, and support for the Division of Water Reclamation, with an expiration date of September 12, 2027.
SECTION 3. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to sole-source procurement.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $215,270.25, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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.