Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology (DoT) to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.), to provide consulting services through the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300 in the amount of $800,000.00. The term of this contract will be for one year from the date of a certified purchase order from the City Auditor’s office.
This ordinance also authorizes the extension of an existing agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.). through extension of purchase order PO452697 per Ordinance 2593-2023 with the current expiration date of June 21, 2025. This extension will add twelve (12) months from the current date, making the new expiration date June 20, 2026. There is no additional funds being expended for this purchase order. The services under this purchase order are still in progress and will allow completion of the existing scope of work. It is in the City's best interest to continue these services. The cost is as outline in the original purchase order.
The above-described contract and purchase order extension will provide for and continue short-term professional services to support DoT for operational needs for email, authentication services, VoIP, business system analysts, program management, operating systems, GIS, boundary networking, storage, and databases. These services are necessary to ensure continuation of important services as DoT works to become fully staffed.
Due to the immediate need for these services, the Department requests waiver of the relevant sections of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding.
Finally, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $800,000.00 for the aforementioned new contract.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Vendor Name: CC 042892
Expiration Date: 8/6/2026
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expenditure in the amount of $800,000.00 is budgeted and available within the Department of Technology, Information Services Division Operating Fund.
4. EMERGENCY
Emergency action is requested as there is an immediate need for these services to ensure that there is no interruption in critical city operations including (among others) email, authentication services, VoIP, business system analysts, program management, operating systems, GIS, boundary networking, storage, and databases.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.) for consulting services; to authorize the extension of purchase order PO452697 for one year to make funds available through June 20, 2026; to waive relevant sections of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding; to authorize the expenditure of $800,000.00 from the Information Services Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($800,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Technology has a need for short term professional services to support DoT for operational needs for email, authentication services, VoIP, business system analysts, program management, operating systems, GIS, boundary networking, storage, and databases; and
WHEREAS, these services can be obtained from OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.) via the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300; and
WHEREAS, due to the immediate need for the above-described services, it has been determined to be in the City's best interests to waive the relevant sections of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.) for the above-mentioned services for a term of one year from the date of a certified purchase order from the City Auditor’s office at a cost of up to $800,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to extend purchase order PO452697 for one year, thereby making the funds available for use through June 20, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Technology in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.), and to extend purchase order PO452697 for one year from its current expiration date so as to ensure continuation of critical city operations, for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Technology is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.) for short-term professional support services, for a term of one year from the date of a certified purchase order from the City Auditor’s office at a cost of up to $800,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Technology be and is hereby authorized to extend an existing agreement with OST Inc. of The District of Columbia (OST Inc.), through the extension of purchase order PO452697 through June 20, 2026.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $800,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended as shown in the attachment to this ordinance (see 2984-2024EXP).
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 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 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.