Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the City Treasurer to modify and extend its contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for on-line consumer payments credit card processing services for the period March 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015.
In 2004, the Income Tax Division requested proposals through the Purchasing Office and these proposals were evaluated by a committee of representatives from the Income Tax Division, the Department of Technology, the Deputy Auditor and the City Treasurer. It was determined that First Data Government Solutions, formerly GovConnect, had the municipal government experience and product that would best serve the needs of the city and its taxpayers.
It was originally intended that the initial contract for the electronic payment services provided to the Income Tax Division would be the basis for the web platform for electronic payment services to other agencies in the city. Due to these existing interfaces between the city's web platform and the e-payment engine provided by First Data Government Solutions, it was recommended that the Department of Public Utilities use their services for its electronic payment requirements. In addition, these services are now used by the Department of Public Service, Division of Planning and Operations, the Building and Zoning Services Department and the Health Department. The Department of Public Safety, Support Services Division also now wishes to join the contract.
The City Treasurer's Office assumed the responsibility for the consumer payments portion of the relationship with First Data Government Solutions, LP as a banking-related service in order to consolidate the contracts under one umbrella. The Treasurer's Office planned to bid these services during 2013. However, the Department of Technology requested that the bid process be delayed for another year, to allow technology standards governing citywide credit card payment processing to be developed for all city agencies wishing to acquire on-line payment processing services. The City Treasurer's Office therefore wishes to extend the contract with First Data for another year to allow for development of such standards and comprehensive bid specifications.
For the reasons stated above it is requested that the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code be waived for this contract.
Emergency action is requested in order that the contract may be executed and the system in place so there is no interruption in credit card payment services available to the customers of the departments of Public Utilities, Public Service, and Building and Zoning Services.
Contract Compliance: First Data Government Solutions 582582959, expiration 10/24/15.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance is contingent on passage of the 2014 budget. There is sufficient budget authority within the 2014 appropriations for Public Utilities, Power and Water, Public Service, Division of Planning and Operations, the Department of Building and Zoning Services, the Health Department and the Department of Public Safety, License Section for these expenditures.
Title
To authorize the City Treasurer to modify and extend its contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for services necessary for electronic payments on behalf of the departments of Public Utilities, Public Service, Building and Zoning Services, Health, and Public Safety; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $317,800.00 from the various funds; and to declare an emergency. ($317,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need in the city for an electronic payment system to accommodate customers' requests for convenient and secure methods of bill payments; and
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer's Office wishes to modify and extend its contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for consumer payments service contracts on behalf of multiple city agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer recommends that the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code be waived to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for electronic payment services; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested so there is no interruption in credit card payment services available to the customers of departments of Public Utilities, Public Service, Building and Zoning Services, and Health, and to allow the Department of Public Safety to develop an on-line payment facility; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP to obtain electronic bill payment services on behalf of the departments of Public Utilities, Public Service, Building and Zoning Services, Health, and Public Safety for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to modify and extend its contract with First Data Government Solutions, LP for the purchase of electronic payment services for the period March 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015, in an amount not to exceed $317,800.00.
SECTION 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, this Council finds that the best interest of the City of Columbus is served by waiving and does hereby waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $317,800.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended as follows:
Dept/Division: 6009 | Fund: 600 | OCA: 602318 | Object level one: 03 | Object level three code: 3348 | Amount: $300,000.00 | Division of Power and Water
Dept/Division: 4301 | Fund: 240 | OCA: 430386 | Object level one: 03 | Object level three code: 3348 | Amount: $12,000.00 | Building & Zoning
Dept/Division: 5911 | Fund: 265 | OCA: 591101 | Object level one: 03 | Object level three code: 3348 | Amount: $800.00 | Planning and Operations
Dept/Division: 3002 | Fund: 010 | OCA: 320103 | Object level one: 03 | Object level three code: 3348 | Amount: $5,000.00 | Support Services
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.