Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a subscription contract with OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for the maintenance and support of an existing MARS meter test bench system in the amount of $62,484.00 for the Division of Water. These test benches are to facilitate the certification of water meters used for billing purposes by the City's water distribution system. This is a 1 (one) year agreement with an annual subscription, funds for the support and maintenance shall be reviewed, and expenditures shall be approved by ordinance of City Council.
MARS Company is the only manufacturer that produces upgrades for this existing MARS Water Meter Test Bench to provide a computer-driven high-speed water meter test system with software and turnkey installation packages in the United States. They are also the only provider of computer software designed to meet the meter testing needs in compliance with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) testing recommendations for the modern Utility, complete with an operational database. Due to the proprietary nature of this system it is in the best interest of the City to execute this contract per the sole source procurement provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SUPPLIER: OW Investors LLC | Vendor #026512 | Expires 11/30/2025
BID INFORMATION: The Division of Water requests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code and enter into a contract based on sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329 because no other company provides these services for the MARS product. The metering test bench system is used to determine the accuracy of new and used water meters that are used by the Department of Public Utilities.
This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified ...
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