. Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation is for the option to establish two (2) UTC contracts for Scientific Laboratory Supplies to be used by various City agencies. The term of the proposed option contracts is through May 30, 2018. The contracts may be extended for one (1) additional year, subject to mutual agreement by both parties. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on March 19, 2015.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the competitive bid section of the City code (Solicitation No. SA005769). Eighty-one (81) bids were solicited: (M1A-2, F1-2). Four (4) bids were received (MAJ).
Two contracts are recommended for award for Scientific Laboratory Supplies. The specification stated that multiple contracts could be awarded to the lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidders per category and catalog.
At this time, the City of Columbus has embarked on a implementing a new e- catalog, as approved by Ordinance 1078-2013. The catalog system purchased from Vinimaya, Inc. will allow City agencies to shop City contracts. The requesting agency will log into the e-catalog, search for the item needed and the e-catalog will search the City catalogs, including these two (2) suppliers, bringing back the results that meet the searched term and providing the user with the contracted price.
The City will upload into the e-catalog most catalog type and price list type UTC contracts. By uploading these two (2) catalogs to the e-catalog, the agencies will be able to search, review and order the needed items at discounted and best value prices. This change will enable the City agencies to more efficiently purchase Laboratory Supplies with cost savings.
A waiver of regulations is being submitted to award to multiple suppliers and to award two (2) contracts as the Code does not envision multiple awards for the same category.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, respo...
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