City of Columbus - File #: 2974-2023

• File #: 2974-2023
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 10/19/2023
• In control: Housing Committee
• On agenda: 11/6/2023
• Final action: 11/9/2023
• Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Benevate Inc., in an amount up to $31,200.00; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; to authorize the payment of expenses beginning November 1, 2023, for the use of Neighborly software, support, and training services; to authorize the expenditure of $31,200.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($31,200.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
11/9/2023	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
11/8/2023	1	MAYOR	Signed
11/6/2023	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
11/6/2023	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation

Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate Inc. for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services, in an amount up to $31,200.00 and to authorize the payment of expenses beginning November 1, 2023.

The Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021. Ordinance 2629-2021 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to waive Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. for the software. After a year of use, the Housing Division would like to continue using the software to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted.

In October 2021, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2629-2021 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

In December 2022, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 3413-2022 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding. The current contract expires on October 31, 2023.

Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 039660 and expires 10/16/2025.

Waiver Request: A waiver of the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329.18 is being requested, as Neighborly is the only hosted software currently available for purchase that can address all of the City of Columbus, Department of Development, and Housing Division’s needs in one solution.

Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $31,200.00 within the Development Department’s General Fund Budget.

Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to permit continued access of this software without interruption. The existing contract expires at the end of October so renewal approval as quickly as possible will prevent a lapse in ...