Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with McNaughton-McKay Electric Company for Rockwell Automation software licensing and technical phone support. This purchase of a technical phone and software support agreement and the software licensing are needed for the staffs of the Jackson Pike and Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plants, and the Sewer Maintenance Operation Center to utilize for support of the Rockwell PLC’s (Programmable Logic Controllers) and OIT’s (Operator Interface Terminals). The PLC’s are devices that control the plants pumps, valves, switches, etc. on the SCADA systems, at both of the plants, and the various sites that are maintained by the Sewer Maintenance Operation Center staff. This is programming software that the technicians need to use to repair, modify or add to the PLC program within the PLC. Up to this point, the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage had to rely solely on consulting firms whenever there were any problems. Staff at the various locations, have been developing the skills necessary to troubleshoot and make necessary repairs and the support will provide the technicians with the help needed to identify and make the repairs, thus potentially reducing the need for future consulting fees. Without the support we cannot get updated versions of the software that are needed.
Rockwell Automation is the sole provider of all software maintenance related to the Rockwell Automation software. This includes software update downloads and shipped media, as well as emergency software replacement. Furthermore, McNaughton-McKay Electric is the only authorized and sole distributor of Rockwell Automation Products and Services for the geographical area of distribution responsibility in which the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities is located.
The agreement for this purchase of the support services and software licensin...
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