Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology, on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities, to enter into contract with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, to develop a custom integration between Responder and the City's new IVR platform, Talkdesk.
Schneider Electric's Responder is Public Utilities’ Power Outage Management System software critical for managing power outages. Currently, the Responder software is integrated with the City's IVR system, Genesis. Genesis will be replaced with Talkdesk in July 2025. Responder and Talkdesk will not integrate natively, so a custom solution is required. Schneider Electric will build the custom integration during this project by replacing the current RxIF IVR Adapter implementation with a custom Multipeak integration with Talkdesk to the Responder application.
This ordinance also requests approval to enter into the above-mentioned contract in accordance with sole source procurement provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Codes, as it has been determined that Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, is the sole provider and sole owner of the Responder software solution.
The total expenditure of $153,600.00 being authorized by this ordinance is comprised of two parts. First is $128,000.00 for the above-described services. The second is $25,600.00 in contingency funds to cover unforeseen issues or requests for changes.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this ordinance are budgeted and available in the 2025 Department of Technology’s Information Services Operating Fund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC
Vendor #: 009049
Expiration Date: 4/16/2026
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
Emergency action is requested to ensure payment for these services can continue to prevent a service interruption.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology, on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities, to enter into contract with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, to develop a custom integration between Responder and the City's new IVR platform Talkdesk in accordance with sole source provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the total expenditure of $153,600.00 from the Department of Technology, Information Services Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($153,600.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need for the development of a custom integration between Responder and the City's new IVR platform, Talkdesk; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Technology wishes to enter into contract with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities, for the above-mentioned services for the contract amount of $153,600.00; and
WHEREAS, Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, is the sole provider and sole owner of the Responder software solution; and
WHEREAS, thus, this ordinance is submitted in accordance with sole source provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes; 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 contract with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions LLC, for the timely development of a custom integration between Responder and the City's new IVR platform, Talkdesk, to avoid an interruption in services when the City's current platform is replaced, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Technology, on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities, be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions, LLC, at a cost of $153,600.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $153,600.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Technology, Information Services Operating Fund, as follows in the attachment to this ordinance: (see attachment 0420-2025 EXP)
SECTION 3: 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 4: 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 5: That this contract is being entered into pursuant to the sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 6: 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.