Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a multi-year contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP to provide an IVR (interactive voice response) and web portal capable of taking utility payments via the telephone and internet. This service is necessary to accommodate customers' growing demand to pay utility bills in a convenient and secure manner.
The existing system in use requires the services of a Customer Service Representative to assist the customer with the processing of credit card payments. This contract will provide a web platform and IVR interface that will allow the customer to enter their credit card information into the system via telephone or web access. In addition, the City of Columbus internet sites have experienced numerous outages in the last few months due to the IP block being modified by an external provider. All functionality including the Water Payment Applications needs to be migrated as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of future outages.
The Income Tax Division requested proposals in 2004 through the Purchasing Office and these proposals were evaluated by a committee of representatives from the Income Tax Division, the Department of Technology, the Deputy Auditor and the City Treasurer. It was determined that First Data Government Solutions, formerly GovConnect, had the municipal government experience and product that would best serve the needs of the City and its taxpayers. First Data Government Solutions, Inc. currently provides Income Tax E-File/E-Pay services and Pay-by-Phone and Pay-by-Web services for the Parking Violations Bureau.
It was intended that the initial contract for the electronic payment services provided to the Income Tax Division would be the basis for the web platform for electronic payment services to other agencies in the City including the Department of Public Utilities. Due to these existing interfaces between the City's web platform and the e-payment engine provided by First Data Government Solutions, it is recommended that the Department of Public Utilities also use their services for its electronic payment requirements. For the reasons stated above it is requested that the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code be waived for this contract.
The staff of the Department of Technology will design and configure consumer payment interfaces for this service and approves of this recommendation.
Contract Compliance Number: 582582959, Expires 3/25/10
First Data Government Solutions, LP does not hold MBE or FBE status.
Emergency action is requested in order that the contract may be executed and the system in place so there is no interruption in credit card payment services available to Public Utilities' customers. The existing contract for the external web server hosting facility expires April 30, 2008. The functionality needs to be migrated away from this hosting facility as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is sufficient budget authority within the Water Systems Operating Fund for this expenditure. Costs for said services will be recovered by revenues collected from fees charged to customers that choose to use this method of payment. There were no similar expenditures in 2006 or 2007.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions for services necessary for electronic payment of utility bills; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Water Systems Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need in the Department of Public Utilities for an electronic payment system to accommodate customers' requests for convenient and secure methods of utility bill payments; and
WHEREAS, First Data Government Solutions provides similar services to other City of Columbus agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities recommends that the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code be waived to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for electronic payment services; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Technology is in agreement with this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested so there is no interruption in credit card payment services available to Public Utilities' customers; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP to obtain electronic Utility bill payment services for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for the purchase of electronic payment services in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00
SECTION 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, this Council finds that the best interest of the City of Columbus is served by waiving and does hereby waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code as they pertain to the action stipulated in Section 1 of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Water Systems Operating Fund as follows:
Department Division: 60-09
Fund: 600
OCA: 602318
Object Level One: 03
Object Level Three: 3348
Amount: $100,000.00
SECTION 4. 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.