Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to associate General Budget Reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate universal term contract purchase agreement(s) on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, for the purchase of Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related accessories to be used in emergency vehicles. The Division of Fire (CFD) is in need of purchasing fifty (50) Panasonic Rugged Tablets from an existing City of Columbus Purchase Agreement. These tablets are replacement units for the equipment currently used in fire apparatus by Firefighters and paramedics.
Bid Information: Universal Term Contract (UTC) Purchase Agreements exists for these expenditures as follows:
Law and Order Technology LLC (Vendor #040906 / PA005823 / 4-30-2024) $238,124.50
Parr Public Safety Equipment Inc. (Vendor #001060 / PA005547 / 11-30-2023) $18,478.30
Emergency Designation: This legislation is to be considered an emergency measure to allow for the immediate purchase of these communications equipment so that emergency services can continue without interruption, and to avoid delays in purchasing from potential supply chain shortages.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the transfer and expenditure of $256,602.80 within and from the General Fund to purchase this equipment. In 2020, the Division of Fire spent $127,026.64 for rugged laptops; the Division of Fire spent $135,535.04 in 2019 and $199,686.96 in 2016 for rugged laptops and related equipment.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $256,602.80 within the General Fund; to authorize the Finance and Management Director to associate General Budget Reservations associated with this ordinance with the appropriate universal term contract purchase agreements and issue purchase orders to Law and Order Technology LLC and Parr Public Safety Equipment Inc., for the purchase of Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related accessories for the Division of Fire; to authorize the expenditure of $256,602.80 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($256,602.80)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire has a need to purchase fifty (50) Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related equipment; and,
WHEREAS, the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer funds within the General Fund to fund this purchase; and,
WHEREAS, City of Columbus Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements, established by the City of Columbus Purchasing Office with Law and Order Technology LLC, and Parr Public Safety Equipment Inc. exists for these purchases; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to associate General Budget Reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate universal term contract purchase agreement(s) on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, for the purchase of Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related accessories to be used in emergency vehicles, and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that due to delays and supply chain shortages, it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to issue a purchase order for said computers to replace existing equipment 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $256,602.80, or so much thereof as may be needed, within the General Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $256,602.80, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the purchase of fifty (50) Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related equipment, be and is hereby authorized from the General Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Finance and Management Director be and is hereby authorized to associate General Budget Reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate universal term contract purchase agreement(s) on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire for the purchase of Panasonic Rugged Tablets and related accessories to be used in emergency vehicles, as required for approval by City Council in order for the division to expend more than $100,000.00, per City Code Section 329.19(g), for the Division of Fire.
SECTION 4. That 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 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 6. 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.