Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Big Belly Solar for the purchase of solar compactor units under Section 329.07(e) of the Columbus City Code (sole source procurement). The contract amount is for $39,054.00.
The City of Columbus seeks ways to be an environmentally friendly and green community as part of Mayor Michael B. Coleman's Get Green Columbus initiative. The Mayor's Office of Environmental Stewardship and the Department of Public Service's Division of Refuse Collection worked in partnership with the Short North Alliance to seek a way of reducing litter and trash can overflows in the Short North area, while also encouraging recycling and reducing the trips required for servicing trash and recycling receptacles. The solar compactors are a double-unit, with one side for trash and one side for recyclables. Solar power is used to compact the trash and recyclables, increasing storage capacity and reducing trips needed to collect the trash and recyclables. Solar power is also used to communicate with the service provider when the compactor is approaching full. This allows a collection vehicle to be dispatched when needed instead of on a regular schedule, providing an additional environmental benefit.
This equipment will be installed as part of a pilot program to test the effectiveness of the units. The purchase includes all equipment, software, and licensing needed to make seven double-units operational for five years. All of the units will be installed in the Short North area.
Big Belly Solar claims to be the only manufacturer of this type of equipment. A search was conducted and a substitute product from another company was not located. Pricing was negotiated with Big Belly Solar and quantity discounts were applied. We are requesting to make the purchase under the sole source procurement provision of the Columbus City Code, Section 329.07(e).
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Big Belly Solar.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this purchase is available within the General Fund, Mayor's Office of Environmental Stewardship.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so installation can occur before the winter months, allowing the testing of the solar component during the months with the least amount of sunshine.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The Contract Compliance number for Big Belly Solar is 331056366 and Expires 10/11/15.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Big Belly Solar for the purchase of solar compactor units in accordance with the City's sole source provision; to authorize the expenditure of up to $39,054.00 from the General Fund, Mayor's Office of Environmental Stewardship, to make this purchase; and to declare an emergency. ($39,054.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus seeks to be an environmentally friendly and green community as part of Mayor Michael B. Coleman's Get Green Columbus initiative; and
WHEREAS, as part of that initiative, a solar compactor has been identified that can reduce trash can overflows, encourage recycling, and reduce the trips required for servicing trash and recycling receptacles, which will increase the City's environmental friendliness; and
WHEREAS, no other manufacturer of solar compactors was found; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Mayor's Office of Environmental Stewardship and the Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection, in that installation needs to occur before the winter months, allowing the testing of the solar component during the months with the least amount of sunshine, 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 Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Big Belly Solar and to issue a purchase order in the amount of $39,054.00 to Big Belly Solar, 85 Wells Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts, 02459, for the purchase of solar compactors.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $39,054.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized from the General Fund, No. 010, as follows:
Dept. / Fund / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
40-01 / 010 / 03-3336 / 400101 / $39,054.00
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this purchase is in accordance with the provisions of the Columbus City Code, Section 329.07(e), "Sole Source Procurement".
SECTION 5. 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.