City of Columbus - File #: 0738-2013

• File #: 0738-2013
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 3/14/2013
• In control: Technology Committee
• On agenda: 4/8/2013
• Final action: 4/9/2013
• Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology, to enter into a one year agreement with G3 Technology Partners for services in support of the City’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $103,711.95 from the Department of Technology, Information Services Division, Internal Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($103,711.95)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
4/9/2013	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
4/9/2013	1	MAYOR	Signed
4/8/2013	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
4/8/2013	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation

BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a one year agreement with G3 Technology Partners for services in support of the City’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. The IVR system supports the City’s 311 and Utilities call centers, as well as the Technology Help Desk. Services provided under this agreement are annual maintenance and support services ($87,011.95), training services ($9,900.00), and professional services for emergency technical support ($6,800.00). These services are necessary to ensure continued functioning of the IVR system and to enhance DoT staff capabilities to support the system. The agreement is for the period April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, and the total cost of the agreement is $103,711.95.

These services have previously been provided to the City under a UTC (FL004507) awarded to G3 Technology Partners by authority of ordinance 1679-2009, passed December 7, 2009. The Departments of Technology and Finance & Management attempted to rebid this UTC through solicitation SA004730, which received three responses on January 10, 2013. Due to recent changes in the Interactive Intelligence (IVR system manufacturer) catalog that occurred after the bid specification was developed, the published bid specifications did not accurately identify the hardware, software and services items the City wanted to purchase. Consequently, bidders were not able to provide a complete and accurate response to the solicitation, so no award was made. As there is an immediate need to obtain critical support and training services, there is not sufficient time to publish another formal bid for these services and award a contract. This one year agreement with the current supplier, G3 Technology Partners, will allow sufficient time to update the bid specifications and obtain needed services through competitive procurement.

Given the unsuccessful attempt to obtain services through a formal bi...