Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology (DoT) to enter into a professional service agreement with OST Inc., to provide consulting services through the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300, which has an expiration date of June 30, 2027, in the amount of $400,000.00.
This contract will provide professional services to support DoT for operational needs for email, authentication services, VoIP, business system analysts, program management, operating systems, GIS, boundary networking, storage, and databases. This contract will also enable DoT to continue to provide services to the City of Columbus as it continues to work to become fully staffed.
This ordinance also authorizes a waiver of competitive bidding, in accordance with relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. OST, Inc. is currently providing services for the Department of Technology and is working on various projects. A bid waiver will allow these current projects to proceed as scheduled and there will not be a need to establish a relationship with a new contractor.
Finally, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $400,000.00 for the aforementioned new contract for a period of twelve (12) months starting on November 15, 2026, through November 14, 2027.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Vendor Name: OST Inc.
DAX vendor no.: 042892
Expiration Date: 9/28/2028
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is being requested for these services that are necessary to support daily operation activities, to ensure no service interruption, and to establish a purchase order before the contract expiration date.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds to cover the cost of this service are budgeted and available in the Department of Technology, 2026 Information Services Operating Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc., for professional support services via the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300; to waive relevant sections of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding; to authorize the expenditure of $400,000.00 from the Information Services Operating Fund budget; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Technology has a need for professional services to support DoT for operational needs for email, authentication services, VoIP, business system analysts, program management, operating systems, GIS, boundary networking, storage, and databases; and
WHEREAS, these services can be obtained from OST Inc. via the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300; and
WHEREAS, due to the need for the above-described services, it has been determined to be in the City's best interests to waive the relevant sections of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. for the above-mentioned services for a period of twelve (12) months starting on November 15, 2026, through November 14, 2027, at a cost of up to $400,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Technology in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc., via the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300, so there is no interruption in city operations, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Technology is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services agreement with OST Inc. for professional support services, via the State of Ohio’s Managed Services Provider contract, 0A1300, for a period of twelve (12) months starting on November 15, 2026, through November 14, 2027, at a cost of up to $400,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it in the City's best interest to waive the relevant sections of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes pertaining to competitive bidding to enter into this agreement.
SECTION 3: That the expenditure of $400,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended as shown in the attachment to this ordinance. (see Ord. 2649-2026EXP)
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 accounting codes as necessary.
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.