Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes a bidding waiver for the Chief Innovation Officer to execute a contract with Proteon Software Inc. (Proteon), for the provision of information technology services for the Smart City Challenge project. Ordinance Number 1901-2017 authorized the Public Service Director to transfer signature authority to the Chief Innovation Officer or the Chief Innovation Officer's designee for all past, present and future Smart Columbus, Smart City Challenge, and Paul G Allen Family Foundation contracts, documents, and projects.
In 2016, the City of Columbus bested six other finalists to be named the winner of the Smart City Challenge, a nationwide competition administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which seeks to “create a fully integrated, first-of-its kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future.” The receipt of federal and private grants totaling $50 million will support the implementation of the City’s proposal to demonstrate how advanced data and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and applications can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality.
After meetings with USDOT concerning the project in September 2017, it was determined the Smart Columbus Program Management Office did not have in-house or contracted expertise to help shape the project’s Smart Columbus Operating System. USDOT then approved the Smart Columbus team’s request for a single-source procurement waiver to contract with Proteon to perform the needed services for the project. This waiver from USDOT was required to ensure the City could be reimbursed for expenses associated with work Proteon performed.
Smart Columbus then executed a City of Columbus Contract for Services for $18,500 with Prote...
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