Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot for the purchase of one (1) 36 x 10 Mobile Office Unit in the amount of $31,312.00, for the Division of Infrastructure Management.
The Division of Infrastructure Management has been utilizing a mobile office unit from Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot through rental agreements. Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot is now offering to allow the City to purchase this unit at a discounted rate. This mobile office unit houses a City CDL training program that is utilized by multiple departments. The CDL training program ensures appropriate staffing is available to perform vital functions needed to maintain City streets.
This specific mobile office unit has already been permitted and metered while under rental contract. The mobile office unit has been on a rental service contract since June 2025, and it is less expensive to purchase the trailer directly at a discounted rate offered by the vendor instead of continuing to rent, which will help to preserve budgeted funds.
Due to the additional costs that would be incurred if a different mobile office trailer were to be brought to the site and set up, the Department of Public Service feels it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to purchase this ready-to-use mobile office unit.
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot will need to update their contract compliance certification prior to contract.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this purchase are budgeted and available in the Street Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Fund (Fund 2265).
4. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
A request for waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 is requested for this purchase so that the Department of Finance and Management can purchase the existing trailer at a cost that is being offered at a discount for a limited time so that CDL training for multiple departments can be continued throughout the City of Columbus, preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare.
5. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to expedite the purchase of the 36 x 10 mobile office unit, which is already in use by the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management, as a rental due to the billing cycle of Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot. If we enter their next billing cycle, we will be required to complete it before the next opportunity to purchase the mobile office unit, resulting in an extended continuation of a rental agreement that costs more than direct purchase.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot, for purchase of one (1) Mobile Office Unit; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $31,312.00 from the Street Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($31,312.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management is currently renting one (1) 36 x 10 Mobile Office Unit; and
WHEREAS, it is more cost effective to purchase the current mobile trailer directly than to continue renting the unit; and
WHEREAS, funds for this purchase are available in the Street Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Fund (Fund 2265); and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to procure this equipment due to the current location of the rental unit and the discounted rate offered by the vendor; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot, for purchase of one (1) 36 x 10 Mobile Office Unit for the Division of Infrastructure Management; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract and establish a purchase order for the purchase of one (1) Mobile Office Unit with Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot at a discounted rate that is being offered for a limited time and if the City enters their next billing cycle the City will be required to complete it before the next opportunity to purchase the mobile office unit resulting in an extended continuation of a rental agreement that costs more than direct purchase, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, welfare and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That City Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329 for this purchase and does hereby waive said requirements.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract and establish purchase orders with Williams Scotsman, Inc. DBA Willscot, for the purchase of one (1) Mobile Office Unit.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $31,312.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Street Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Fund (Fund 2265), Dept-Div 5911 (Division of Infrastructure Management), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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.