Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary to enter into contracts for the acquisition of equipment and training for the Division of Fire Bomb Squad, in accordance with sole source procurement with ITT Corporation and Sierra Nevada Corporation utilizing Homeland Security Grant funds; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Fire was awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) equipment and training for the Bomb Squad. The total cost of this equipment and training will be $156,546.00, the payment of which will be issued by Franklin County, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. The City of Columbus and Franklin County entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement via Ordinance 1917-2005 to enable this type of purchase.
This legislation will authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary for the acquisition of this training.
Bid Information: The Division of Fire was approved for a State Homeland Security Grant to purchase Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) equipment and training for the Bomb Squad. The grant requirements are such that purchasing this equipment and training pursuant to section 329.06 (Formal Competitive Bidding) of the Columbus City Code is not possible due to the specialized nature of this equipment.
This specialized and proprietary equipment and training is unique and offered only by the aforementioned vendors. All equipment and training that is funded through US Homeland Security grants must be approved by the United States Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness to be eligible for funding. There is no other approved equipment and training that meets Fire's requirement at this time. This equipment and training is specific for Bomb Squads, and is limited due to the sensitive nature and the small number of bomb squads in the United States.
These companies are not debarred according to the Excluded Parties listing of the Federal Government and is not listed in the Auditor of State database for Findings for Recovery.
Emergency Designation: The Division of Fire requests emergency legislation so that approval can occur prior to expiration of the grant period (February 2012).
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary to procure equipment and training in the amount of $156,546.00 for the Division of Fire Bomb Squad using Homeland Security grant funds currently held by Franklin County. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire needs to acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) equipment and training for the Bomb Squad; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire has been awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase said equipment and training; and
WHEREAS, this acquisition is being made in accordance with Sole Source Provisions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary for the acquisition of said equipment and training prior to the expiration of the grant period, for the 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 Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute those documents necessary to enter into contracts with ITT Corporation and Sierra Nevada Corporation for the acquisition of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) equipment and training for the Columbus Fire Bomb Squad.
SECTION 2. There is no city related expenditure associated with this ordinance; grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security are being administered via Franklin County in the amount of $156,546.00.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus that this acquisition be in accordance with the provisions of Sole Source Provisions of Section 329.07(e), of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.