Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Chief Innovation Officer to enter into a professional services agreement with Central Ohio Transit Authority, hereafter referenced as COTA, in an amount of up to $144,900.00 to provide integration into Multimodal Trip Planning and Common Payment System and other professional services as necessary. Work includes, but is not limited to, development and software services using Genfare or a software development company of COTA’s choosing.
The Smart City Challenge is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant program seeking 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.” In 2016, the City of Columbus, acting through the Department of Public Service, applied for and won the Smart City Challenge, receiving a $40 million dollar grant from USDOT and a $10 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Vulcan).
As part of Columbus’ overall response to the Smart City Challenge, efforts were focused on a system that will provide travelers with a single, common payment platform, known as the Common Payment System (CPS) that integrates with the Multimodal Trip Planner Application (MMTPA), The benefits of providing travelers with a centralized, account-based payment system, are increased convenience and customer satisfaction, as well as improved access to mobility options through integration with transportation providers. Travelers will be able to fund accounts using a variety of payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and cash via pre-paid debit cards or COTA Smartcards. Users will be able to reload CPS accounts via COTA’s ticket vending machines and point of sale retailers.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against COTA.
Due to the nature of the USDOT and Vulcan grant reimbursements, professional support for the Smart City Challenge Program will be awarded in annual funding phases. Additional contract modifications may occur throughout the four-year Smart City Challenge grant period. There is no current planned modifications to this contract.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for COTA is CC004318 and will be updated prior to execution of the agreement.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $144,900.00 is available in Fund 7768 (Smart City Grant Fund), Grant G591610 (USDOT Grant - Smart City).
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to execute a contract with COTA to provide software development services for the Multimodal Trip Planning Application and Common Payment System.
Title
To authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to execute a professional services contract with COTA relative to the Smart Columbus - Common Payment System project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $144,900.00 from the Smart City Grant Fund to pay for the expenditure; and to declare an emergency. ($144,900.00)
Body
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the Smart City Challenge, a collaborative effort by the USDOT and Vulcan seeking 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”; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2016, the City of Columbus bested six other finalists to be named the winner of the Smart City Challenge; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to enter into a professional services contract with COTA to provide software development services in order to advance the multimodal trip planning application and common payment system to deployment.
WHEREAS, 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, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation contracts, documents, and projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a professional services contract with COTA to provide for the aforementioned services in the amount of up to $144,900.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Smart Columbus PMO, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to execute a contract with COTA authorizing the encumbrance and expenditure of requisite funding so as to prevent unnecessary delays in the Smart City Challenge deployment schedule, 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 Chief Innovation Officer be and is hereby authorized to execute a contract with Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), 1600 McKinley Ave. Columbus, OH 43222, in an amount of up to $144,900.00 related to the Smart Columbus - Common Payment System project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $144,900.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in Fund 7768 Smart City Private Grant Fund, Dept-Div 5912 Division of Design and Construction, G591610 (Smart City USDOT Grant), Object Class 03 (contractual services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Chief Innovation Officer administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That for the 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, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.