Explanation
BACKGROUND: In the fall of 2019, the City bid for employee benefits consulting services via RFP012789. Five consulting firms responded to the bid and of those, two firms were interviewed extensively. Aon Consulting Inc. was selected as the best and most responsive bidder.
The firm was awarded a three year contract, beginning March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2023. Following the third year, the contract allows for two one year extensions if all parties are in agreement. Every year the contract renewal is subject to available appropriation and funding. This ordinance represents the first year of the contract.
This ordinance authorizes and directs the Human Resources Director to enter into contract with Aon Consulting Inc. for employee benefits consulting services including, but not limited to, assistance in determining employee and employer insurance rates, labor negotiation cost estimations, and benefit administration. In addition, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure and establishes a maximum obligation liability of $238,000.00 to be paid from the employee benefits fund.
The first year contract dates are from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.
Contract compliance number is 22-2232264.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract totals $238,000.00 and is budgeted from and within the 2020 employee benefits fund budget. Every year, contract renewal is subject to available and adequate appropriation and funding. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2020 Other Funds operating budget, Ordinance 2926-2019.
Emergency action is requested to ensure benefit consultant services are able to commence as soon as contractually possible, thereby maintaining continuity of service.
Title
To authorize the Director of Human Resources to enter into contract with Aon Consulting Inc. to provide employee benefits consulting services from March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021; to authorize the expenditure of $238,000.00 from the employee benefits fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay the costs of said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($238,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to contract with Aon Consulting Inc. to provide professional employee benefits consulting services from March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021; and
WHEREAS, these services were re-bid in fall, 2019 and Aon Consulting Inc. was awarded the bid to provide professional employee benefits consulting services to the city; and
WHEREAS, the contract is for a three year period, with two one-year extensions possible, subject to sufficient appropriation; and
WHEREAS, this contract represents the first year of the current contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $238,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay contract costs for employee benefits consultation; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Aon Consulting Inc. for continuity of services, all 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 Human Resources is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Aon Consulting Inc. to provide professional employee benefits consulting services from March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $238,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in the employee benefits fund 5502 in object class 03 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 for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.