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 City Codes to update the City's procurement process with these changes to be effective February 1, 2018; and to repeal the existing sections being amended.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes governing the procurement of goods and services for the City of Columbus is in need of revision to better serve the City’s commitments to efficiency, fairness, and transparency; and
WHEREAS, it is the shared goal of this Council and the Mayor’s Administration to update Chapter 329 to better acknowledge the City’s said commitments; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance addresses these commitments by ensuring the City purchases products efficiently and fairly with full disclosure to the public and the vendor community; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to amend various sections of City Code Chapter 329; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That sections 329.01, 329.09, 329.14, 329.18, 329.19, 329.20, 329.212, 329.23, 329.24, and 329.29 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby amended as stated on the attached document (“Ordinance 3023-2017 Chapter 329 as amended to the City Clerk”).
SECTION 2. That prior existing sections 329.01, 329.09, 329.14, 329.18, 329.19, 329.20, 329.212, 329.23, 329.24, and 329.29 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after February 1, 2018.