Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract on behalf of the Office of Construction Management with Benco Dental Company for the purchase of dental equipment to be installed at the West Side Family Health Center, to be located in the vicinity of 2300 West Broad Street. The City is currently designing the new center and is expected to complete construction in spring/summer 2009.
Due to continuing price increases in dental equipment, it was deemed prudent to purchase this equipment at an earlier date. This procedure will allow the City to purchase all of the necessary dental equipment within the budget parameters. This equipment was selected on the recommendation of the Columbus Public Health Dentist. This type of dental equipment has very specific electrical and plumbing requirements that must be incorporated into various construction documents. Therefore, a decision on the type of dental equipment had to be made before drawings could be completed for submission to the Building Services Division. The engineering design of the Center has been completed assuming the installation of this equipment. Using any other equipment would require re-engineering. There are two vendors that are able to provide these products in central Ohio, Sullivan-Schein and Benco Dental Equipment.
Both were given the opportunity to provide costs for the same equipment. Benco Dental's bid ($229,759.16) was approximately eight percent lower than Sullivan Schein's ($249,422.05). Because both companies had the opportunity to provide pricing, the Finance and Management Office is requesting a bid waiver. This equipment is likely to increase in pricing each month and an early contract will avoid those price increases.
The contract will include all necessary dental equipment and storage. The City will purchase the equipment up front and the contractor will store the equipment for the City in the interim b...
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