Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc. for professional consulting services to assist in program planning, design and implementation in support of workforce and economic development including diversity training, small business outreach, business process management, policy development, stakeholder engagement and marketing communications. Specific deliverables during this project include development and execution of a training and communications marketing plan for both internal and external stakeholders; creation of communications collateral for outreach events, newsletter articles, written reports and social media; business process analysis of department workflow to facilitate the shift to Small Business Enterprise program; diversity training/development; and tasks assigned in support of the Mayor's Small Business Conference.
The Department of Public Utilities provides quality water, wastewater, and electricity services to over 1 million people in Central Ohio and is proud of its diverse employees who strive to deliver excellence in service to the citizens of Columbus, Ohio. DPU currently supports its employees with a diversity and inclusion effort that includes a department-wide committee, tasked with promoting, educating and measuring diversity and inclusion. Our economic development activities include small business development (contract compliance, outreach and training) as well as community economic benefit programs such as our Blue Print Green Workforce training initiative that includes readying our workforce and small businesses to be competitive in the emerging green infrastructure construction market created by the department's Blue Print Columbus EPA-mandated sewer overflow consent decree program. DPU is the lead planner for the annual Mayor's Small Business Conference. Additionally, the City of Columbus is initiating a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program. It is anticipated the new program will entail department-wide business process reengineering requiring staff support and training.
The Department of Public Utilities advertised Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the subject services in the City Bulletin in accordance with the provisions of Section 329 Columbus City Codes, 1959. Two hundred (200) vendors were solicited, three (3) of which held MBR status, twenty-one (21) of which held M1A status, two (2) of which held HL1 status, eight (8) of which held F1 status, and one (1) which held V1 status. The Director of Public Utilities received proposals from two (2) vendors on April 25, 2014. After review of the information presented and having evaluated the proposals, the Director of Public Utilities recommended the award of the contract to RAMA Consulting Group, Inc., 897 East 11th Avenue, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43211.
The maximum obligation of the City for services described in this agreement for the period of one (1) year from the date of execution is limited to $350,000.00. The contract is for one (1) year with the option to renew for two (2) additional years, on a year-to-year and available funding basis and approval by Columbus City Council.
SUPPLIER: RAMA Consulting Group, Inc. (20-4647970), expires March 15, 2015. This vendor holds MBE (M1A) certification with the City of Columbus.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $350,000.00 is budgeted and needed for the first year of this contract.
2012: $200,000.00 was spent by DPU for similar services
2013: $200,000.00 was spent by DPU for similar services
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc for professional consulting services; to authorize the expenditure of $21,350.00 from the Power Operating Fund, $135,800.00 from the Water Operating Fund, $152,250.00 from the Sewer Operating Fund, and $40,600.00 from the Stormwater Operating Fund. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities supports the growth and sustainability of diversity and inclusion in both its workforce and suppliers; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities requires professional support for the planning, design and implementation of various diversity and inclusion programs aligned with strategic business goals; and
WHEREAS, RAMA Consulting Group, Inc. was selected based upon criteria set forth by Columbus City Code; and
WHEREAS, the maximum obligation for the first year of the agreement shall not exceed $350,000.00, with a maximum of two additional years subject to and conditioned upon the approval of City Council, and appropriation and certification of funds by the City Auditor; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for professional consulting services with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be, and hereby is authorized to enter into a professional services agreement with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc 897 East 11th Avenue, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43211 for professional consulting services related to workforce diversity and economic development program planning, design and implementation, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file in the office of the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 2. The said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Utilities.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $350,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same hereby is authorized to pay the cost of this contract as follows:
Division of Power - 60-07
Fund: 550
OCA: 600023
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3336
Amount: $21,350.00
Division of Water - 60-09
Fund: 600
OCA: 600049
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3336
Amount: $135,800.00
Division of Sewerage & Drainage - 60-05
Fund: 650
OCA: 600056
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3336
Amount: $152,250.00
Division of Sewerage & Drainage - 60-15
Fund: 675
OCA: 600065
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3336
Amount: $40,600.00
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.