Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology, on behalf of the Department of Building and Zoning Services, to renew a software maintenance and support agreement with Accela, Inc. The original agreement (EL012856) was authorized by ordinance 0430-2012, passed May 21, 2012. This renewal will authorize the third year of a five year software maintenance and support agreement, including associated professional services to assist with software upgrades, for the period April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015. The total cost of this renewal is $287,099.18, which includes $277,499.18 for standard maintenance and support, as well as $9,600.00 for onsite technical assistance to support software upgrades.
The contract will continue the provisions for services between the City of Columbus and Accela, Inc. for the purpose of software maintenance and support services utilized by the Department of Building and Zoning Services; which also supports daily operational functions that benefit various city departments and divisions such as yet not limited to: the Department of Development, the Department of Public Utilities, and transportation divisions in the Public Service Department. These maintenance and support services include technical assistance, support, upgrades and telephone support services for the Accela Automation (AA) System application, used to issue building permits, track code enforcement activities and monitor the performance of the One Stop Shop. Without the passage of this legislation, the Department of Technology will lose the ability to maintain the AA application, eliminating the ability to provide web access for building permits, data and information utilized by citizens regarding issues such as building permits and inspections.
Finally, this ordinance requests approval to continue services provided by Accela in accordance with sole source procurement provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Code; as...
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