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File #: 2800-2025    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 10/14/2025 In control: Finance & Governance Committee
On agenda: 11/17/2025 Final action: 11/19/2025
Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to modify an existing contract with OARnet/OSU for VMware software licensing, maintenance, and support, pursuant to Columbus City Codes sections relating to not-for-profit service contracts; and to authorize the expenditure of $218,292.48 from the Department of Technology, Information Services Fund. ($218,292.48)
Attachments: 1. City of Columbus - VMware - 10.03.2025 - Quote 60428330 - VDI, 2. OARnet letter, 3. 2800-2025EXP
Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to modify a not-for-profit service contract with OARnet/OSU for the VMware software licensing, maintenance, and support services contract.

The Department of Technology (DoT) uses VMware software to operate virtual servers that run critical applications for enterprise systems such as Accela, CUBS, and 311. Server virtualization is the conversion of one physical server into multiple individual and isolated virtual storage spaces. This industry standard was adopted by DoT in 2009 to reduce the costs of Data Center operations. This also reduces power consumption, cooling requirements, and provides further capabilities for recovery and availability of information systems.

Ordinance 1716-2010 authorized the Director of the Department of Technology to enter a contract with OARnet/OSU for VMware for software licensing, maintenance, and support services.

Ordinance 3005-2023, passed by City Council on November 13, 2023, authorized entering a two-year contract with OARnet/OSU, beginning on April 2, 2024, and ending on April 1, 2026.

Most recently, Ordinance 2987-2024, passed by City Council on November 25, 2024, extended that contract through July 30, 2027, at an additional cost of $596,791.16 to ensure on-going service provisions.

This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology to modify the contract to add funds to pay for additional professional services and software licensing in the amount of $218,292.48.

1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended:
The original contract amount: $916,566.52 (PO423161, PO485100, PO505140 Ord. 3005-2023)
Modification #1: $596,791.16 (PO505140 Ord. 2987-2024)
Modification #2: $218,292.48 (This ordinance)

The contract amount including all modifications: $1,731,650.16

1.2 Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
It was recently dete...

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