Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to modify a contract with Fast LP for Gentax software and professional services related to the Income Tax Revenue System. Ordinance No. 0867-2021, passed by the Columbus City Council on April 19, 2021, authorized the City Auditor to enter into contract with Fast LP for the purchase and implementation of GENTAX software and professional services for the collection and recording of tax revenue. The initial contract term covered three years and contained the option to renew annually after the initial term of 3 years expired, subject to annual appropriation and approval by City Council. A pricing schedule for seven years though Jun 17, 2028 was included as part of the RFP and contract.
This modification is necessary to add additional funding, to extend the term of the contract an additional year, and to modify the contract to include Simple Message Service (SMS) option in order to provide enhanced services and communication to the City’s constituents. SMS is the mobile phone protocol that almost all phones use to send text messages. Fast LP provides its SMS Service without additional on-site interface development needed. FAST incurs costs for each SMS message sent and received by the Service and has offered competitive pricing to the City based upon a usage schedule of a flat rate of $500 per month, plus a per message rate based upon number of messages sent or received. The City may opt out of the service with 30 days written notice.
This ordinance authorizes the first modification of the contract and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provision of Chapter 329 of the City Code.
1. Amount of additional funds: $2,662,000.00. Total contract amount including this modification is 29,262,000.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not unforeseen: The need for additional funds was known at the time of the initial contract and this legislation authorizes funding to cover a continuation of ma...
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