Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to establish a contract with Time Warner Telecom for voice/data services to support the fire connectivity project. This project will connect 32 fire stations to the city's network through the use of both leased lines and city owned fiber optic cabling. This connectivity will allow fire stations to consolidate its voice and data needs through one connection point thereby reducing the operating funds needed for this purpose.
The award of this contract is based upon a formal Invitation to Bid, Solicitation number SA000531 opened by the Finance Department Purchasing Office on November 20, 2003. The Purchasing Office solicited 190 companies consisting of 171 MAJ, 12 M1A, 3F1, and 4 MBR firms. Eight companies responded. The contract is being awarded to Time Warner Communications, the lowest responsive and responsible and best bidder.
The voice and data communications consolidation project will save the city approximately $100,000 per year in leased line costs and will provide fire stations a high-speed connection allowing communication between the fire stations and the Fire Administration Office, thereby supporting several new technology projects that are vital in correcting severe deficiencies data collection business process methodologies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is available in the Telecommunications Cable fund.
EMERGENCY:
Emergency legislation is requested in order to facilitate immediate purchase and implementation of this voice/data service to connect fire stations to the city's network.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE NUMBER:
31-1419297 Expires 4/30/2005
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to establish a three-year contract with Time Warner Telecom for voice/data service for the fire connectivity project, to authorize the expenditure of $65,399.00 annually from the Telecommunications Cable fund and to declare an emergency. ($65,399.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to establish a contract with Time Warner Telecom for voice/data services for the fire connectivity project; and
WHEREAS, this project will connect 32 fire stations to the city's network through the use of both leased lines and city owned fiber optic cabling; and
WHEREAS, this connectivity will allow fire stations to consolidate its voice and data needs through one connection point thereby reducing the funds needed to for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the contract award is based upon a formal Invitation to Bid, Solicitation number SA000531 opened by the Finance Department Purchasing Office on November 20, 2003, and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office solicited 190 companies and received eight bid responses to said solicitation, and
WHEREAS, the contract award is being issued to the lowest responsive and responsible and best bidder, and
WHEREAS, this consolidation will save the city approximately $100,000 per year in leased line costs; and
WHEREAS, this project will provide fire stations a high-speed connection allowing communication with each other as well as the Fire Administration Office; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this purchase order, 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 Director of the Department of Technology be and is hereby authorized to establish a three-year contract with Time Warner Telecom for the purchase of voice/data service connectivity equipment related to the fire connectivity project in an amount not to exceed $65,399.00 annually.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $65,399.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from department 4703, fund 203, oca 471888, object level 1 - 03, object level 3 - 3323.
SECTION 3: 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.