Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to issue purchase orders to Echo Healthcare and iSimulate USA for the purchase of training simulation equipment for the Division of Fire's Training Bureau. The Division of Fire is in need to purchase training simulation equipment that is necessary to facilitate Columbus Fire’s plan to keep certifications and training in motion during the current COVID-19 pandemic while practicing social distancing. This equipment will allow continued mandated training in smaller group sizes, while incorporating thorough sanitizing practices and social distancing, and eliminating unnecessary travel by reducing the movement of monitoring and mannequins between locations, thus mitigating possible contagion. Columbus Fire is requesting a Bid Waiver on this purchase as there is not enough time to obtain formal bids to satisfy this immediate need; the immediate purchase of this equipment will increase the Division’s ability to combat the potential spread of infectious diseases while continuing vital training certification.
The Division of Fire's Training Bureau have determined the LifeCast mannequins are the most life-like simulation mannequins on the market, and more importantly these mannequins integrate well with existing simulation equipment, and provide functional and flexible training simulations without changing the existing systems. The iSimulate monitors are primarily the only type of simulated cardiac monitor on the market. These monitors will take place of the real cardiac monitors that are often required for EMS training and are not always available in the quantity needed. With an actual cardiac monitor, the cost is much more expensive and there is room for error that could cause damage to our mannequins or injury to CFD personnel. The iSimulate monitors offer a much lower price tag while accurately simulating the actual cardiac monitor, but does not produce any electricity; all electricity and shocks are simulated. Additionally, if the Division was to switch to a different type of cardiac monitor in the future, the iSimulate monitors are able to switch interfaces to reflect a variety of cardiac monitors.
Vendor Information: Echo Healthcare Vendor #033321 FID #82-5016807 // iSimulate USA Vendor #033322 FID #35-2460543
Bidding Information: Fire is recommending the waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of City Code to allow the aforementioned purchases to commence as soon as possible.
Emergency Designation: This legislation is to be declared an emergency measure so that legislative approval can occur prior to expiration of the product quotes attached hereto, and that the purchase of this training equipment can commence as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $111,435.00 from the CARES Act Fund for the purchase of training equipment for use in the Columbus Fire Division's Training Bureau, specifically for the mitigation of the COVID-19 virus.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to issue purchase orders to Echo Healthcare and iSimulate USA for the purchase of training simulation equipment for the Division of Fire; to waive the competitive bidding requirement of the City Code; to expend $111,435.00 from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($111,435.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need to purchase training simulation equipment specifically to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and,
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding is necessary to address changes required in the ongoing training environment of the Division of Fire in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and,
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and,
WHEREAS, a bid waiver is necessary to facilitate the immediate purchase of this simulation equipment; and,
WHEREAS, for the aforementioned reasons, it is now necessary for the Director of Finance and Management to issue purchase orders to Echo Healthcare and iSimulate USA for this equipment; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to issue purchase orders to purchase said equipment, 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 Finance and Management is hereby authorized and directed to issue purchase orders to Echo Healthcare and iSimulate USA for the purchase of training simulation equipment.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $111,435.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the purchase of this simulation equipment be and is hereby authorized from the CARES Act Fund, 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 this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code to allow the aforementioned purchase.
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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.