Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a subscription contract with OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for the maintenance and support of an existing MARS meter test bench system in the amount of $59,508.00 for the Division of Water. These test benches are to facilitate the certification of water meters used for billing purposes by the City's water distribution system. This is a 1 (one) year agreement with an annual subscription, funds for the support and maintenance shall be reviewed, and expenditures shall be approved by ordinance of City Council.
MARS Company is the only manufacturer that produces upgrades for this existing MARS Water Meter Test Bench to provide a computer-driven high-speed water meter test system with software and turnkey installation packages in the United States. They are also the only provider of computer software designed to meet the meter testing needs in compliance with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) testing recommendations for the modern Utility, complete with an operational database.
BID INFORMATION: The Division of Water requests to enter into a contract based on sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329 because no other company provides these services for the MARS product. The metering test bench system is used to determine the accuracy of new and used water meters that are used by the Department of Public Utilities.
SUPPLIER: OW Investors LLC | Vendor #026512 | Expires 11/30/2025
FISCAL IMPACT: $59,508.00 is budgeted and needed for this purchase.
$154,940.00 has been spent so far in 2024
$0 was spent in 2023
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a subscription contract with OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for the upgrade, maintenance, and support of an existing MARS meter test bench system on behalf of the Division of Water; to authorize the expenditure of $59,508.00 from the Water Operating Fund. ($59,508.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Water has a need to maintain its existing MARS test bench system and to receive maintenance and support services for that system; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the Water Operating Fund for this purchase; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding for this purchase because no other company provides the needed services for the MARS test bench product; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, to enter into a subscription contract with OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for a Meter Test Bench maintenance and support services; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Department of Public Utilities Director be and is hereby authorized to enter into a subscription contract with OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for the maintenance and support of an existing MARS test bench system on behalf of the Division of Water.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $59,508.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized in the Water Operating Fund in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes to permit the aforementioned purchase contract.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.