Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services in an amount up to $66,333.00. This ordinance also authorizes the transfer in appropriation within the Housing Stability General Fund Budget in an amount up to $25,125.00.
The Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021. Ordinance 2629-2021 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to waive Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. for the software. After five years of use, the Housing Division would like to continue using the software, to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted. The Division of Housing Stability began using it in 2025 and they would also like to continue using the software.
On October 2021, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2629-2021 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
On December 2022, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 3413-2022 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
On November 9, 2023, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2974-2023 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
On June 27, 2024, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 1687-2024 to modify the existing contract with Benevate, Inc to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
On October 24, 2024 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2636-2024 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.
On March 5, 2025 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 0065-2025 to add an additional $8,000.00 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding. The contract expired on December 14, 2025.
On October 22, 2025 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2399-2025 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. and waived competitive bidding.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 039660 and expires 02/24/2028.
Waiver Request: A waiver of the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329 is being requested, as Neighborly is the only hosted software currently available for purchase that can address all of the City of Columbus, Department of Development, Housing Division’s as well as the Housing Stability Division’s needs in one solution.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $66,333.00 from the Department of Development’s 2026 General Fund Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. in an amount up to $66,333.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; to authorize the transfer between object classes in an amount up to $25,125.00; and to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $66,633.00. ($66,633.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. in an amount up to $66,633.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; and to authorize the expenditure of $66,633.00; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021 and has integrated it into its daily operations; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Stability Division started using Neighborly software in 2025 and has integrated it into its daily operations; and
WHEREAS, Neighborly is a cloud based software package that will enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development request approval to waive the competitive bidding requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the usual and daily operations of the Department of Development in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Benevate Inc. for the software application Neighborly which assists the Division of Housing and Housing Stability with daily operational software needs; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Benevate Inc., in an amount up to $66,333.00 to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $66,333.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer in appropriation between object classes within the Housing Stability General Fund Budget in an amount up to $25,125.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That City Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provision of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes to enter into this agreement.
SECTION 5. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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 this ordinance shall take and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.