Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Finance and Management Department to issue purchase orders to Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. and All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents for use in emergency fire fighting operations, and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes. The Division of Fire has the immediate need to purchase Class B AR-AFFF fire suppression foam and encapsulating agent to replace the existing inventory of fire suppression foam. The division’s current stock of existing fire suppression foam has been determined to contain contaminants that cause a variety of adverse health effects due to the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. The Departments of Public Utilities and Public Safety have been advised to stop the use of this fire suppression foam.
Bid Waiver Justification: The Division of Fire has an immediate need to purchase the aforementioned fire encapsulating agent to replace the current fire suppression foam. Due to the nature of this commodity replacement, the Division of Fire respectfully requests a bid waiver.
Vendor Information: Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. / Vendor #006828; All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. / Vendor #005226.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested due to the immediate need to replace the existing fire suppression foam with a non-hazardous supply of foam and encapsulating agents.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $159,501.00 from the Division of Fire's General Fund operating budget to purchase fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents to replace the existing inventory of fire suppression foam that may contain chemicals that have adverse health effects.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to issue purchase orders to Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. and All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents for use in emergency fire fighting operations; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $159,501.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($159,501.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is an immediate need within the Division of Fire to purchase Class B AR-AFFF fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents to replace the division’s inventory of existing fire suppression foam, and
WHEREAS, the Departments of Public Utilities and Public Safety have advised the Division of Fire to immediately stop the use of current fire suppression foam products, and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to purchase said replacement foam and encapsulating agents as there is not enough time to solicit/obtain formal bids given the emergent nature of this purchase; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management, through the Purchasing Office, to issue purchase orders to Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. and All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of this replacement fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management, through the Purchasing Office, to issue purchase orders to Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. and All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents to replace current stocks of fire suppression foam, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare of the public; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to issue purchase orders through the Purchasing Office, to Advanced Eco Systems, Inc. and All-American Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of fire suppression foam and encapsulating agents on behalf of the Division of Fire.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $159,501.00, or so much thereof as is necessary, is hereby authorized from the Division of Fire's General Operating Fund Budget, as per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to Competitive bidding for this purchase.
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 for the 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.