Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Irvin Public Relations, LLC (PR) for strategic communication services.
The purpose of this project is to provide the Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) communications team with basic storytelling, photography, social media, and video skills to enable them to better tell the Department’s stories and ultimately to develop an overall communications strategy. The consultant will provide this assistance through interviews with City Council, DPU staff, and City management; evaluation of existing tools and practices; comparisons with other local jurisdictions and best practices; review of compliance with public records laws and open meeting requests; assessment of organizational capacity; development of written reports; and recommendations for changes in current practice, organizational structure, and mediums in use.
PROCUREMENT:
The Department of Public Utilities solicited competitive bids through the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from May 30, 2023 to June 23, 2023 for strategic communication services in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code (RFQ025035). Five (5) bids, three by majority vendors, one by a woman-owned enterprise, and one not listed, were received. They were all deemed responsive and were evaluated on July 10, 2023. The evaluation committee determined that Irvin PR submitted the strongest proposal because of the relevant experience of its project team, it demonstrated an understanding of the department’s needs and presented a tailored approach to address those needs, and its strong project management team.
The term of the contract will be for one-year with two renewal options. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on funding availability, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM:
This contract opportunity was submitted to the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for review and assignment of an MBE/WBE goal prior to bidding. ODI determined there was not an opportunity for MBE/WBE participation in this contract and did not assign a goal. This contract was not bid with a City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal and the requirements of the City’s MBE/WBE Program are not applicable to this contract.
SUPPLIER:
Irvin Public Relations | EIN on file | D365 Vendor #002045 | Expired 2/18/2017 |
The company does not hold MBE or WBE status.
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:
$0.00 was budgeted for this contract, The Department intends to use funds from deferred projects to support the expense.
$0.00 was spent in 2022
$0.00 was spent in 2021
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Irvin Public Relations, LLC for strategic communications services; and to authorize the expenditure of $71,250.00 split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($71,250.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Department of Public Utilities has a need for an overall communications strategy that will equip its communications team with basic storytelling, photography, social media, and video skills to enable them to better tell the Department’s stories; and
WHEREAS, the contract opportunity was submitted to the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for review and assignment of an MBE/WBE goal prior to bidding and ODI determined there was not an opportunity for MBE/WBE participation in this contract and did not assign a goal; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities solicited competitive bids for these services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code through RFQ025035; and
WHEREAS, five (5) bids, three by majority vendors, one by a woman-owned enterprise, and one not listed, were received, deemed responsive, and evaluated on July 10, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Irvin Public Relations, LLC submitted the strongest proposal because of the relevant experience of its project team, it demonstrated an understanding of the department’s needs and presented a tailored approach to address those needs, and its strong project management team; and
WHEREAS, the contract was bid as a one (1) year contract and permitted two (2) additional renewal options contingent upon mutual agreement of the parties, availability of budgeted funds, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $71,250.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from object class 03, Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for strategic communication services with Irvin Public Relations, LLC; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Irvin Public Relations, LLC, 61 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43205, for strategic communication services.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $71,250.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from object class 03, Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.