Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an Indefinite Quantity Agreement with Homeland Language Services LLC for translation services.
The use of translation and interpretation services by the Public Utilities Department aka Columbus Water & Power (CWP) is necessary to ensure all customers have equal access to essential utility services and information, regardless of their primary language. Language assistance supports clear communication related to billing, service connections and disconnections, water quality notices, conservation requirements, and emergency or service interruption notifications. Providing interpretation helps prevent misunderstandings, promotes public health and safety, improves customer service outcomes, and ensures compliance with applicable language access requirements while reinforcing the City’s commitment to equitable, reliable, and transparent utility service for all residents.
Procurement:
The Department of Public Utilities solicited bids through Vendor Services from December 17th, 2025 to January 2nd, 2026 for Translation Services in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code, RFQ031878. Four Hundred Sixty Nine vendors were solicited; eleven bids were received. The bids were evaluated on February 18th, 2026, the evaluation committee met with the low bidder to review a demo of the services to verify they would work for the City of Columbus. They recommended the award be made to Homeland Language Services LLC as they were the lowest, responsive, responsible, and best bidder.
The original term of the contract will be for a period of one year, from May 1st, 2026, up to and including April 30th, 2027, with four one-year renewal options, for a maximum contract length of five years, on a year-by-year basis. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on funding availability, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
This ordinance authorizes the initial term of the contract and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
Principal Party:
Homeland Language Services LLC
1000 Town Center Drive Unit 300
Oxnard, CA 93036
James Jones, (813) 892-1926
Contract Compliance Number: 044362
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: November 26, 2026
Fiscal Impact: $15,000.00 is available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$16,747.23 was spent in 2025
$13,458.57 was spent in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an indefinite quantity agreement with Homeland Language Services LLC for translation services; and to authorize the expenditure of $15,000.00 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an indefinite quantity agreement with Homeland Language Services LLC for translation services; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities solicited bids for translation services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code through RFQ031878; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities wishes to enter into an indefinite quantity agreement for a period of one (1) year, up to and including April 30th, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $15,000.00 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an indefinite quantity agreement for translation services with Homeland Language Services LLC; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into an indefinite quantity agreement with Homeland Language Services LLC for translation services. The amount being authorized by this ordinance is $15,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. 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 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 3. That the expenditure of $15,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from object class 03, Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.