Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance amends various sections of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes as it relates to the procurement of goods, materials, equipment and services other than Construction and Profrofessional services. The revisions make the procurement code more transparent, competitive, flexible, fair, and efficient. Changes include:
1. Increases in dollar threshold amounts for informal and formal solicitations
2. The creation of Best Value Procurement process for goods, materials, equipment and services
3. Allows for multiple awards for Universal Term Contracts
4. Redefines contract modification process
5. Includes the use of electronic opening of bids and proposals
Through these amendments, the City is furthering its commitment to increased opportunities, inclusiveness, operational efficiency, procurement transparency, cost saving, flexibility, and fairness.
Best Value Procurement will allow the City to procure items by comparing all benefits and costs of a product or service, as opposed to simply awarding based on the lowest price. This procurement method will be used strategically by only the Purchasing Office as approved by the Finance and Management Director.
The award of Universal Term Contracts to multiple vendors will provide end-user agencies with larger variety and better pricing in the City's electronic catalog, while also affording minority and female owned and smaller businesses a fair opportunity to provide City agencies with necessary products.
The Department of Finance and Management believes these changes will make efficiency improvements to the procurement process, allowing City agencies to receive necessary items more quickly, while maintaining the highest standards of transparency and competitiveness.
The effective date of these revisions and modernization will be February 1, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend various sections of Chapter 329 of the Columbus C...
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