Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to continue the Division of Fire's Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit’s (FEIU) digital evidence storage service. This service is utilized by the Division of Fire’s FEIU to upload, store, and submit digital evidence from criminal investigations. The FEIU is also able to supply citizens with a link whereby citizens may upload footage.
The term of this contract is for five (5) years, seven (7) months with reimbursement for expenses incurred beginning September 1, 2024. Funding for this contract will be encumbered on a year-to-year basis contingent upon the approval of City Council and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
The cost has been negotiated and quoted as shown below.
Initial Term: $6,362.40
Year 2: $4,682.40
Year 3: $4,682.40
Year 4: $4,682.40
Year 5: $4,682.40
Total: $25,092.00
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Axon Enterprise, Inc., Fed Tax ID: #86-0741227, Vendor # 038851
Bid Waiver Justification: The Division of Fire successfully implemented this service with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for digital evidence storage, citizen footage upload, and evidence submittal for criminal case proceedings, and does not seek an alternative solution at this time. This service is also utilized by the Division of Police.
Emergency Designation: The Division of Fire is requesting this legislation be declared an emergency measure to make funding immediately available and expedite authorization of this contract to prevent an interruption in this service which may result in the loss of evidential data.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $6,362.40 from the General Fund. The Division of Fire expended $2,736.00 in 2023 for this service (for the contract period of 9/1/23-8/31/24).
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to continue the Division of Fire's Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit’s (FEIU) digital evidence storage service; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $6,362.40 from the General Fund; to authorize the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the issuance of a purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($6,362.40)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire has a need for digital evidence storage service for the Division of Fire’s Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Fire, to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for five (5) years, seven (7) months with reimbursement of expenses incurred from and after September 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the cost for the initial term of this contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. is $6,362.40; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to enter in to this contract given the investigatory importance of the services provided to the Division of Fire’s Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety on behalf of the Division of Fire to enter in to a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to prevent disruption of the Axon Enterprise, Inc. digital evidence storage service 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 the Director of the Department of Public Safety be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for five (5) years, seven (7) months, with reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the issuance of a purchase order from and after September 1, 2024, for Axon Enterprise, Inc’s. digital evidence storage service for the Division of Fire’s Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit.
SECTION 2. That the funding for this contract will be encumbered on a year-to-year basis contingent upon the approval of City Council and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $6,362.40, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the aforementioned service, be and is hereby authorized from the General Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to Competitive bidding for this purchase, and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 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.