Explanation
BACKGROUND AND BID INFORMATION:
This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with and issue a purchase order to Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. for the purchase of Fire and EMS emergency response apparatus/vehicles.
Competitive bidding is being waived for the below vendor in order to participate in the STS contract for the vehicles. City agencies are required to obtain at least three actual quotes from State Term Schedules (STS) vendors. Due to reasons referenced below, the Fire Division requests procurement via STS which requires a bid waiver. Therefore, this request for the following purchases, which are being made via STS contract, will require a bid waiver.
The Division of Fire requests the purchase of four (4) EMS transport vehicles (medics) in the total amount of $1,649,976.00. The Division of Fire has standardized its custom EMS response apparatus fleet using Horton Emergency Vehicles for many years due to the cost-effective approach that has resulted from negotiating directly with the manufacturer and managing of parts/service after purchase. This purchase is made in accordance with State of Ohio Index #STS233, Contract number STS026178.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Current build times for the fire apparatus purchased in this ordinance require emergency action to ensure funds are encumbered immediately to allow for the production of these custom apparatus to commence upon passage of this ordinance and confirmation of the subsequent purchase orders.
FISCAL IMPACT: Cash is available upon transfer from various projects within the Safety Voted Bond Fund for this purchase. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is also required
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $1,649,976.00 within various projects of the Safety Voted Bond Fund; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 329; to authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into contracts with and issue purchase orders to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the purchase of four (4) Horton Ford F550 gas chassis Medics; to authorize the expenditure of $1,649,976.00 from the Safety Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,649,976.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a need exists within the Fire Division to purchase front line response rescue and fire apparatus and related equipment; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of funds within the Safety Voted Bond Fund is necessary to fund this purchase; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Safety Voted Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with and issue a purchase order to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the purchase of emergency response apparatus/vehicles needed by the Division of Fire; and
WHEREAS, a waiver to the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes is necessary as per the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to make these purchases and transfer said funds from within the Safety Voted Bond Fund to purchase said equipment to ensure funds are encumbered immediately to allow for the production of these custom apparatus, all for the immediate preservation of 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 is hereby authorized to enter into contract with and issue a purchase order to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the purchase of emergency response apparatus/vehicles in the amount of $1,649,976.00, on behalf of the Division of Fire.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer said funds within the Safety Voted Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of cash and appropriation in the amount of $1,649,976.00 is hereby authorized between projects within the Safety Voted Bond Fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance
SECTION 4. That the 2025 Capital Improvement budget is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance.
Fund | Project Name (Funding Source) | Project Number | Current Authority |Revised Authority | Difference__
7701 Fire Apparatus Replacement - Platform Ladders (Voted Carryover) P340151-100000 $8,360,883.00 $6,710,907.00 ( $1,649,976.00)
7701 Fire Apparatus Replacement - Medics (Voted Carryover) P340150-100000 $0.00 $1,649,976.00 $1,649,976.00
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $1,649,976.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in Fund 7701 (Safety Bond Fund), Dept-Div 3004 (Division of Fire), Project P340150-100000 (Fire Apparatus Replacement - Medics), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper accounting project numbers, and to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with the expenditure of funds transferred in Section 3 above.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 8. That all 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 9. That this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 329, relating to the aforementioned purchase from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the Division of Fire.
SECTION 10. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.