Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Fire was awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase a Remotec F6b Robot from the Northrop Grumman, Remotec, Inc. This robot is used for remotely inspecting and manipulating possible explosive devices from a safe distance. The Remotec F6b Robot is similar to the Division of Fire's Bomb Squad's existing, outdated robot. The purchase of the Remotec robot will allow the Bomb Squad to have interchangeable parts which saves funds. It is required to have robots in order to be categorized as a Bomb Squad, and allows the Bomb Squad to remain as a Type 1 Squad with regional response areas of thirty-six (36) counties in Ohio. The total cost of this equipment will be $222,729.00, the payment of which will be issued by Franklin County, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. The City of Columbus and Franklin County entered into an intergovernmental Agreement via Ordinance 2757-2014 to enable this type of purchase.
This legislation will authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary for the acquisition of this equipment.
Bid Information: The Division of Fire was approved for a State Homeland Security Grant to purchase Andros robotics system equipment for the Bomb Squad. The grant requirements are such that purchasing this equipment pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to Formal Competitive Bidding is not possible due to the specialized nature of this equipment.
This specialized and proprietary equipment is unique and offered only by the aforementioned vendor. All equipment, parts and labor that is funded through U.S. Homeland Security grants must be approved by the United States Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness to be eligible for funding. There is no other approved Andros robotics system equipment that meets Fire's Bomb Squad equipment require...
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