Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Public Safety Director to waive the competitive bid provisions of the Columbus City Code and enter into a contract with SimplexGrinnell to expand the neighborhood safety camera systems as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing and fighting crime in the City. The original contract with SimplexGrinnell was authorized by ordinance number 0787-2011, passed on 5/23/2011 and authorized the installation of safety cameras in five columbus neighborhoods: Hilltop, Livingston Avenue, Mt Vernon, Weinland Park and Linden area. Modification number one provided for safety camera systems at four locations in the Livingston Avenue area. The second modification increased the number of cameras in the five existing neighborhoods where cameras were already present. This legislation seeks authorization to contract with SimplexGrinnell to install cameras in the Downtown area to include Genoa Park, North Bank Park, Broad and Front Street, and possibly other downtown locations under consideration.
SimplexGrinnell was one of seven vendors that responded to an RFSQ (SA003813) on January 27, 2011 and whose proposal was selected by an evaluation committee in accordance with section 329.13 of City Code to install cameras in five neighborhoods. Prices already established in the original contract were used to determine the cost of this new contract. It makes sense to waive competitive bidding contract with SimplexGrinnell to provide cameras in Downtown Columbus neighborhoods due to their technical knowledge of the current system and the opportunity to provide uniformity and install cameras in a timely manner.
Emergency action is requested due to the lead-time in design work and the need to have the cameras in place as soon as practical.
SimplexGrinnell Contract Compliance No. 58-2608861, expiration date March 23, 2014
Fiscal Impact: This legislation waives competitive bidding and authorizes the Safety Director to enter into contract with SimplexGrinnell for $500,000.00 to install safety cameras in the downtown area of the City. The original contract with SimplexGrinnell was for $2,047,006. Two modifications to the original contract totaled $646,519.83. Funds for this contract are budgeted in Public Safety's Capital Improvement Budget.
Title
To authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with SimplexGrinnell for the installation of safety cameras in downtown neighborhoods; to waive the competitive bid provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Department of Public Safety's Voted Bond Funds; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City desires to expand the safety camera program by installing cameras in additional locations within the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Safety Director wishes to enter into a contract with SimplexGrinnell, the company that has designed and installed all the neighborhood cameras since the inception of the project in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Public Safety Director has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bid provisions of the City of Columbus and award a contract to SimplexGrinnell due to expediency and the company's familiarity with all the neighborhood safety camera setups; and
WHEREAS, funding for these expanded services are budgeted in Public Safety's Capital Improvement budget and; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Public Safety Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with SimplexGrinnell for the design and installation of safety cameras in downtown Columbus neighborhoods as part of a comprehensive approach to keeping the public safe, thereby preserving the public health, property, safety, and welfare, now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Safety Director is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with SimplexGrinnell to design and install safety cameras in downtown Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the competitive bidding provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Code be waived.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary in regard to the action authorized in SECTION 1, be and is hereby authorized and approved as follows:
Division: 30-01|Fund: 701|Project: 310003-100000|Safety Cameras|OCA Code: 701003|Object Level: 06|Object Level 3: 6644|Amount $500,000.00
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
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 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