Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to modify, by extending, an existing disparity study contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD. Pursuant to Ordinance 0075-2017, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion entered into contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD to conduct a disparity study on behalf of the City of Columbus. This study will analyze city procurement operations to determine whether there is a disparity between the availability of minority and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBEs) and the city's utilization of those businesses. The last disparity study was conducted over a decade ago and Columbus has seen a tremendous amount of growth since then. The findings of this study will guide and inform ODI's work to ensure fairness, equity, and inclusion in the city's procurement practices.
This modification is necessary to extend the contract term through December 31, 2020. The City conducted an additional data review to ensure the validity of the underlying data and the resulting conclusions prior to the issuance of a final report. This data review was beneficial and productive, however it required additional project time. As such, Mason Tillman requires additional time to finalize the study conclusions as well as assisting the City with operationalizing agreed upon recommendations.
Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd is a nationally recognized African American owned consulting firm that has conducted disparity studies for numerous cities throughout the country. They have conducted more than 134 studies which represent roughly 30 percent of the disparity studies completed since Croson was decided on January 23, 1989.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an extension of an existing disparity study contract Mason Tillman Associates, LTD. No additional contract funding is being requested at this time.
Emergency action is requested so that the disparity study can be finalized as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to modify, by extending, an existing contract with Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd. for conducting a disparity study on behalf of the City of Columbus; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to modify the contract for a disparity study conducted for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion advertised and solicited formal bids via RFQ002943 and Mason Tillman Associates, LTD was selected as the contract vendor; and
WHEREAS, ordinance 0075-2017 authorized the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD to conduct a disparity study for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, a contract modification is necessary to extend the contract through December 31, 2020 to provide for additional time For Mason Tillman to finalize the study conclusions, as well as assist the City with operationalizing agreed upon recommendations; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to authorize the Director to modify a contract with Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd so that the disparity study can be finalized as soon as possible thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to modify, by extending, a contract with Mason Tillman Associates, LTD through December 31, 2020.
SECTION 2. That the monies related to this contract shall be paid upon order of the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, nor ten days after passage, if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.