Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Fairfield Information Services DBA American Court Services (ACS) for monitoring services associated with the use of secure continuous remote alcohol monitor (SCRAM) devices. The SCRAM unit is a non-invasive, tamper-resistant, transdermal monitoring device that measures blood alcohol concentration automatically, 24 hours a day, regardless of the individual's location. Alcohol Monitoring Systems holds many patents on the continuous alcohol monitoring device and Fairfield Information Services is the only local vendor authorized to providing monitoring services.
The Franklin County Municipal Court Judges purchased 40 SCRAM devices with monies from its indigent driver alcohol treatment fund for the purpose of monitoring offenders with alcohol dependency issues that are sentenced to use a SCRAM unit as a condition of probation. The continued use of the SCRAM devices necessitates monitoring services, which is provided by ACS. The devices were purchased from Alcohol Monitoring Services and they have named ACS as a sole provider of monitoring service. As a consequence, the Court asks that the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code be waived so that the Court can enter into contract with ACS for alcohol monitoring services.
Fairfield Information Services DBA American Court Services contract compliance number is 31-1751856 and expires on 02/02/17.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2015 indigent driver interlock fund for this purpose.
Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and the expenditure to continue monitoring services.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with ACS for monitoring services associated with the continuous alcohol monitoring devices; to authorize the expenditure of up to $350,000.00 for monitoring services; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, ordinance # 1568-2007 was passed by Columbus City Council on November 5, 2007 authorizing the contract and expenditure for acquisition of continuous alcohol monitoring devices and related monitoring services for the Franklin County Municipal Court, Department of Probation Services; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court is in need of additional monitoring services from ACS; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329 to enter into this contract;
WHEREAS, this ordinance is requested as an emergency to permit the timely procurement of needed services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this contract and expenditure for continuous alcohol monitoring services with ACS thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with ACS for monitoring services associated with the Court's continuous alcohol monitoring equipment through the period ending March 31, 2016
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $350,000 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, department number 2501, indigent driver alcohol treatment fund, fund number 227, subfund 004 as follows: $350,000 from oca 252714, object level 1 - 03, object level 3 - 3336.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated, the Columbus City Council finds it is in the best interest of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to waive the provisions of the Columbus City Code Chapter 329 related to competitive bidding.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.