Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to associate all General Budget Reservations resulting from this legislation with the appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreement established with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the purchase of body worn cameras, Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW), licenses, polygraph interview room cameras and associated accessories, licenses for Axon evidence.com, third party video support software, maintenance, and support for the Division of Police. These video camera systems are typically utilized by law enforcement to record interactions with the public. This technology promotes both transparency and accountability. The CEWs are used by law enforcement as a less lethal option while on duty.
Bid Information: RFQ019158 was advertised and Best Value Procurement proposals were received on August 12, 2021. Six (6) responses with pricing were received. After a thorough evaluation of the proposals received, the Finance and Management Department entered into contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. This company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to maintain the current CEWs and maintenance for ongoing training and deployment of the CEWs, body cameras, cruiser cameras and maintenance software.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $4,358,686.52 from the General Fund for the purchase of body worn cameras, CEWs, polygraph interview room cameras and all needed accessories, and software and licenses for the Division of Police from the Universal Term Contract established by the Department of Finance and Management with Axon Enterprise, Inc. Funds are available in the Division of Police General Fund budget. In 2024, the Division spent $2,883,026.22.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to associate all general budget reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreement for the purchase of body worn cameras, Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs), interview room cameras and accessories, software, licenses, maintenance and support for the Division of Police; to authorize the expenditure of $ 4,358,686.52 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($4,358,686.52)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to purchase new body worn cameras, polygraph interview room cameras, CEWs, associated accessories, software, licenses, maintenance, and support to continue the project started in 2015 using the same technology; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited Best Value Procurement proposals and entered into contract with Axon Enterprises for new cameras and technology for the Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, funds for this expenditure were budgeted and are available in the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to associate all general budget reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements for the purchase of network infrastructure equipment for body worn cameras, polygraph interview room cameras, CEWs, accessories, licenses, software, maintenance and support for the Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, due to the availability of funds it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to associate all General Budget Reservations resulting from this legislation with the appropriate Purchase Agreement established with Axon Enterprise Inc. for the purchase of body worn cameras, polygraph interview room cameras, CEWs, associated accessories, licenses for Axon evidence.com, and third party video support software, maintenance, and support for the Division of Police, all 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 Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to associate all general budget reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate Universal Term Contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., for the purchase of equipment for body worn cameras, polygraph interview room cameras, Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs), accessories, licenses, software, maintenance and support for the Division of Police.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $4,358,686.52 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in the General Fund in Object Class 03 Subscription/Maintenance per the accounting codes in the spreadsheets attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
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