Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish one (1) Universal Term Contract with AT & T for Long Distance Communication Services for a term of one (1) year. Based on the complexity of the services and the relationship to other contracts with AT & T for communication services this waiver is requested. The Finance and Management Department in conjunction with the Department of Technology has retained a consulting service to audit, evaluate and make recommendations on our long distance service needs and to assist with developing bid specifications for a competitive bid process in the future if in our best interest. A waiver of competitive bidding is requested as we are in the early phases of the assessment and our current contract with AT & T will be expiring soon. At this time, we would like to continue with the services provided by AT & T based on a negotiated agreement.
Emergency action is requested to ensure uninterrupted telephony and communications for all City agencies at favorable rates.
AT & T CC#340436390 (Expires 2/25/16)
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $35,000.00
This company is not debarred according to the Federal Excluded Parties Listing or the State Auditor's Findings For Recovery Database.
This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency so that there will be no lapse in service at favorable rates for the efficient delivery of valuable public services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding to establish this option contract is budgeted in the General Fund. City agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated anual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Long Distance Communication Services, to authorize the expenditure of one (1) dollar to establish the contract from the General Fund, to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is currently in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 for the purchase of Long Distance Service; and
WHEREAS, Long Distance Services are currently being audited and evaluated by a consulting firm that will provide assistance in developing bid specifications for a competitive bid if in our best interest.
WHEREAS, the current contract ending soon has no provisions for modification or extension and tariff rates could go into effect without a new contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the City in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract for an option to purhase Long Distance Communication Services, thereby preserving 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 Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract for the option to purchase Long Distance Services for a one (1) year term, beginning from the date of contract certification, as follows:
AT & T, All items, Amount: $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from the General Fund, Organization Level 1: 45-01, Fund 10, OCA: 450047, Object Level 3: 2270 to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. That in accordance with the Columbus City Codes, City Council has determined it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus that the bidding provisions of Chapter 329 be and hereby are waived for the action authorized in SECTION 1.
SECTION 4. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.