Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology (DoT) to enter into a two-year contract with WorldLingo Translations LLC (WorldLingo) for services that support international and multilingual public access to the city's web sites, via the internet. The contract will provide annual funding each year for translation services that help facilitate effective internet services on a 24-hour; 7-day basis. It will continue the use of automated software that was implemented in December 2002 to translate Columbus web-site text into a variety of languages. This automated translation service enables the city to communicate effectively with a diverse local constituency and with potential business partners around the world. The city does not have the necessary resources and skill-sets available to provide the translation services.
During mid 2002, the Department of Technology, in consultation with its web services provider (OARnet) and a leading information technology market research firm (Gartner Group), examined various translation service-providers and software products. At that time software products from various companies were thoroughly researched and where appropriate, tested. DoT then selected the clear market leader, WorldLingo.
The initial service offering was based on quarterly payments at a guaranteed price for a three-year period. This new contract honors the spirit of the three-year price schedule and provides funding for one of the remaining two scheduled years.
FISCAL IMPACT:
During fiscal 2002 $15,396.70 was expended through OARnet for startup fees and two quarterly coverage periods (six months total) beginning effective December 10, 2002 through May 31, 2003. An additional $18,445.05 was encumbered and expended from fiscal 2003 funds to cover from June 1, 2003 through February 29, 2004. The $24,593.40 required to support this agreement will cover a twelve month service period beginning March 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005.
These funds are budgeted in fiscal year 2004 and available within the Department of Technology, information services fund.
EMERGENCY:
There is an immediate need to establish a contract with WorldLingo Translations LLC to continue vital web translation services and avoid any potential service interruption.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE NUMBER: 52-2386970 Expires: 05/30/2006
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into contract with WorldLingo Translations LLC for the purchase of internet web-site translation services for the Department of Technology, Information Services Division, to waive competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code, to authorize the expenditure of $24,593.40 from the information services fund, and to declare an emergency. ($24,593.40)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a two-year contract subject to annual appropriation with WorldLingo Translations LLC for services that support multilingual public access to the city's web sites, via the internet, and
WHEREAS, the city does not have the necessary resources and skill-sets available to provide said website translation services, and
WHEREAS, without the renewal of this contract the city will lose the ability to provide website translation services to its departments, constituents and international business concerns supported by the Department of Technology, and
WHEREAS, this legislation is necessary to waive formal competitive bid requirements as defined in Columbus City Code Title 3 Chapter 329, to fund said contract services, and to authorize the expenditure of $24,593.40 with WorldLingo, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city in that it is immediately necessary to establish a contract with WorldLingo Translations LLC to continue vital web translation services and avoid any potential service interruption, and to authorize this expenditure or so much thereof as required, thereby preserving 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 Director of the Department of Technology be and is hereby authorized to establish a two-year contract subject to annual appropriation for the purchase of internet web-site translation services from WorldLingo Translations LLC, beginning March 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005, in the amount of $24,593.40.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $24,593.40 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from:
Div.: 47-02|Fund: 514| Subfund 001|OCA Code: 280743|Obj. Level 1: 03|Obj. Level 3: 3347|Amount: $24,593.40|
SECTION 3: That this agreement is made in accordance with the bid waiver provisions of Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 4: 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.