...Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Need: To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management, to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. for the purchase of a LCF Firearms Microscope for examination of firearms evidence by the Division of Police Crime Lab Unit.
Bid Information: At the Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners meeting, criminalists from the City of Columbus Division of Police Crime Lab Unit examined and spoke with manufacturers on this type of equipment. Only this microscope was able to give the higher magnification needed and in addition only this scope was able to provide removal of the entire stage for large items in forensic comparison. Since the company is the sole manufacturer/distributor offering this unique type of microscope, this contract will be entered into in accordance with the sole source procurement provisions. Negotiations were conducted with the company to obtain the best possible pricing for the City of Columbus Division of Police. The contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. will cost $64,354.00.
This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
Contract Compliance No: 41-1560082
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to expedite delivery of equipment for a forensic study beginning June 1, 2006.
FISCAL IMPACT
$70,000.00 has been budgeted for this purchase through the FY2005 Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act and appropriated to the General Government Grant Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management, to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc., in accordance with the Sole Source procurement; to authorize the expenditure of $64,354.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($64,354.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Division of Police criminalists examined several types of comparison microscopes for forensic use; and
WHEREAS, Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. was the only manufacturer to give higher magnification and the ability to view large items for forensic comparison; and
WHEREAS, this purchase was budgeted in the General Government Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, Leeds Precision Instrument, Inc. is the sole manufacturer and sole distributor of this microscope; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to enter into this contract in accordance with provisions of Section 329-07c (Sole Source) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and
WHEREAS, emergency legislation is needed in order to expedite delivery for a forensic study to begin in June 2006; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract for the purchase of a LCF Firearms Microscope with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the Director of Finance and Management, be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc., for the purchase of a LCF Firearms Microscope for the Crime Lab Unit of the Division of Police.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $64,354.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized as follows:
DEPT: 30-03 | FUND: 220 | OBJ LEV 1: 06 | OBJ LEV 3: 6697 | OCA: 335032
Section 3. That said contract shall be awarded in accordance with provisions of Section 329.07c (Sole Source) of the Columbus City Code, 1959.
Section 4. 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.