Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to enter into contract with OpportunitySpace, Inc. for the Tolemi BuildingBlocks software platform. Last year, City Council passed several housing initiatives including Vacant Registry, Foreclosure Registry and Wholesaler Registry. This software tool is necessary for the Department to effectively manage these registries and monitor the properties. Using up-to-date data such as utility usage, USPS mail delivery, and code violations, the software platform will proactively identify vacant properties before they become blighted. Furthermore, the software will monitor pre-foreclosure and foreclosure filings to give a complete view of properties in financial distress.
The Tolemi BuildingBlocks software tool differs from other property registry software by offering a map-based analytics approach that integrates data from various sources to provide comprehensive insights into property conditions. Specifically, it will provide automated integration of these data sources at regular intervals to ensure the information contained within the application is up-to-date, process automation based on internal city and county data, with the capability to run advanced spatial queries outside of GIS software, and give user-generated reports and performance metrics across all data sources contained in the application.
This will allow the City to proactively manage distressed properties (i.e., vacant or foreclosed) and to assess vacancy risks and nuisances more effectively. The Tolemi BuildingBlocks software platform, when combined with the Slate application, is a proprietary product, developed and sold exclusively by OpportunitySpace, Inc., therefore, this contract will be entered into under the sole source provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes. This is a three year contract subject to annual approval and authorization by City Council and other City officials
The Department of Building and Zoning Services reviewed several other software programs relating to registering vacant and foreclosed properties, but their focus is on compliance and process management. These help in categorizing and managing properties based on vacancy/foreclosure/rental status, but does not provide analytical capabilities that are needed to assist the Department in effectively managing the properties that are included in the above mentioned registries. Furthermore, the software platform allows the City to add a Wholesaler registry component. In addition, OppotunitySpace, Inc. is capable of working with the City’s banking partner to deposit fees directly to the City’s account.
EMERGENCY
Emergency action is requested to expedite authorization of this contract so that the Department can fulfill its requirements of registering vacant and foreclosed properties and wholesaler applicants as quickly as possible now that the budget has passed.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Contract Compliance
Vendor: OpportunitySpace, Inc.
Certification #: CC-023594 - Exp: 01/03/2027
The company is not disbarred according to the excluded party listing system of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved finding for recovery certified search.
FISCAL IMPACT
The price of the BuildingBlocks software and support for the first year is $178,000. After the initial set up, the annual price will be reduced to approximately $149,000. This is a three year contract subject to annual approval and authorization by City Council and other City officials. This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $178,000.00, which is available in Fund 2240, the Development Services Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to enter into contract with OpportunitySpace, Inc. for the Tolemi BuildingBlocks software platform and maintenance under the sole source provisions of City Code; to authorize an appropriation of $178,000.00 in the Development Services Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $178,000.00 from the Development Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($178,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, last year, City Council passed several housing initiatives including Vacant Registry, Foreclosure Registry and Wholesaler Registry; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code, the Department of Building and Zoning Services is charged with maintaining and managing these registries; and
WHEREAS, the Department has determined that the Tolemi BuildingBlocks software platform exclusively provided by OpportunitySpace, Inc. is the most effective and efficient application for the registries; and
WHEREAS, the BuildingBlocks software is proprietary and requires unique support and maintenance that is offered only by OpportunitySpace, Inc. requiring that this contract be entered into in accordance with the provisions of the sole source procurement of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with OpportunitySpace, Inc. for the provision of vacant, foreclosure, and wholesaler registration services described above in the amount of up to $178,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this is a three year contract subject to annual approval and authorization by City Council and other City officials; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a service contract with OpportunitySpace, Inc. so that the Department can fulfill its requirements of registering vacant and foreclosed properties and wholesaler applicants as quickly as possible now that the budget has passed, thereby preserving the public health, 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 Building and Zoning Services is authorized to enter into contract with OpportunitySpace, Inc. for the Tolemi BuildingBlocks software platform and maintenance services in accordance with the sole source provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code. This is a three year contract subject to annual approval and authorization by City Council and other City officials.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $178,000.00 in the Development Services Fund, Fund 2240, Subfund 000000, to the Department of Building and Zoning Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $178,000 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the from the Department of Building and Zoning Services, Division No. 43-01, Development Services Fund, Fund No. 2240, in Object Class 03, Purchased Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord. 0762-2025 Attachment
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 funds are hereby appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, 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 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.