Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Infosend, Inc., to provide Electronic/Traditional Bill Presentment and Payment Application for the Department of Public Utilities. As part of this agreement the Department is required to submit a postage deposit to the contractor prior to the first mailing and this amount will remain in deposit for the duration of the agreement. This service will provide the department with a comprehensive electronic billing solution that will enable its customers the convenience of receiving and paying their City of Columbus utility accounts online or continue to manage their utility account through traditional means. In addition, this environmentally-friendly bill presentment solution will play a significant role in the City’s goals of protecting the environment by offering our customers a choice to manage their utility accounts online. It is requested that this ordinance be handled in an emergency manner in order to expedite the departmental goal of implementing this bill presentment solution to our utility customers.
The Director of Public Utilities received Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) on August 30, 2012. Nine (9) proposals were received. A complete evaluation of those proposals is attached. After completing evaluations and interviewsthe selection committee recommended an award be made to Infosend, Inc. The contract specifies that the vendor must utilize current city of Columbus financial institutions for any payment transactions.
The term of this Agreement shall be from December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2016. It is anticipated that services under this Agreement will be provided over the three year contract term. For each year of the three year contract, funds for the services shall be reviewed, and expenditures shall be approved by ordinance of City Council, and appropriation and certification of funds by the City Auditor. ...
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