City of Columbus - File #: 1427-2004

• File #: 1427-2004
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/13/2004
• In control: Development Committee
• On agenda: 10/4/2004
• Final action: 10/5/2004
• Title: To authorize and direct the Finance Director to enter into contract(s) for the option to purchase Long Distance Services with SBC Global Services, Inc. and to authorize the expenditure of $1.00 to establish the contract from the Purchasing/Contract Operation Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($1.00).

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/5/2004	1	MAYOR	Signed
10/5/2004	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
10/4/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
10/4/2004	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
9/17/2004	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
9/17/2004	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
9/16/2004	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/15/2004	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
9/15/2004	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
9/14/2004	1	ODI DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
9/14/2004	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/10/2004	1	EBOCO Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
9/9/2004	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/7/2004	1	FINANCE-PURCHASING APPROVER	Reviewed and Approved
7/14/2004	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation

BACKGROUND: For the option to purchase Long Distance Services for the Department of Development, the largest user. The term of the proposal option contract would be a little over two years with the option to renew for two each additional one year periods. The proposed contract is through December 31, 2006.

In May of 2004, MCI, the long distance service provider to the City, informed the City that it would discontinue long distance services to the City because of past due unpaid invoices. The City researched records that indicated that the City was due credits from MCI, instead of being in arrears on payments. Despite efforts by both parties, an agreement on amounts due or credited could not be reached and MCI threatened to discontinue long distance services for the City of Columbus.

The Purchasing Office had already advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 329.06 Solicitation No. SA001111JY. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on May 27, 2004. Six bids were received. (MAJ:29) bids solicited; (MAJ:6) bids received, (MBE:4) bids solicited; (MBE:0) were received (FBE:0) bids solicited; (FBE:0) bids received. All but one of the bids were deemed non-responsive due to not meeting all specifications. The remaining bid was in question regarding the bidders ability to provide the service responsibly. Due to the poor bid response, the Finance Director designee recommended that the best course of action was to cancel the formal solicitation and seek informal proposals for long distance service to be provided early in June, 2004.

To maintain long distance services, the Mayor declared an emergency on June 3, 2004, and authorized the Finance Director to secure long distance services. In the short term, some accounts were assumed by Qwest. In the meantime a bid process for long distance service was already in progress.

The Finance/Purchasing Office, with the endorsement of the Department of Technol...