Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Safety to modify the existing contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn for $156,446.50 to continue the Division of Fire's Distance Learning program. Since 2008, the Columbus Fire Division has contracted with a computer-based training content provider for their Distance Learning Project. The Fire Division's Distance Learning project was implemented to provide remote training in all fire stations via computer network. A computer-based training content provider is used to continue to provide and implement training, scheduling, and logging of employee training history, as well as software updates and support for the Fire Division.
In 2017, Columbus Fire contracted with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC to deliver online Fire and EMS continuing education, under the parent company Vector Learning. Target Solutions is expandable and customizable, offering credentials tracking for many different specialties including DART, Haz-Mat, FAO, Investigator, Professional Standards, and ARFF training. TargetSolutions can track and notify members plus add informative videos to help fire personnel members meet their fitness and nutrition goals, and is also being used to track performance measures and identify training deficiencies. All Columbus Fire members are required by state law and the city to maintain the Firefighter, Fire Inspector, and EMS credentials. The Division’s credibility during accreditation could be in jeopardy without complete and centralized training records and easy access to those records. Columbus Fire has been using the Target Solutions training platform since 2008. Since that time, the Fire Division has built out credentials for Recruit, Apprentice, EMS, Officer, and In-Service Training on a platform that is available 24/7 to fire personnel from any computer or portable device.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: TargetSolutions Learning, LLC (formerly CentreLearn Solutions LLC) ~ 263827779 / Vendor 002494
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is required so that Fire's Distance Learning Program can continue uninterrupted.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $156,446.50 from the general fund, where the expense for this contract between the Columbus Division of Fire and TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn was budgeted for 2020. The Fire Division spent $156,072.50 in 2019, $148,171.40 in 2018 and $140,748.00 in both 2016 and 2017 for these services. This ordinance is contingent upon passage of the 2020 General Fund Operating budget by Columbus City Council.
Title
To authorize the Public Safety Director to modify the existing contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn for computer-based distance learning services for the Division of Fire; to authorize the expenditure of $156,446.50 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($156,446.50)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Fire Division previously awarded a bid contract to TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn for computer-based distance learning services, including training content, implementation, scheduling, and history logging, as well as software updates and support; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn for computer-based distance learning services for the preservation of 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 Public Safety be and is hereby authorized to modify the existing contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC/CentreLearn for computer-based distance learning services, including training content, implementation, scheduling, and history logging, and software updates and support for the Fire Division.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $156,446.50, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the general operating fund 1000-100010 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 accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.