City of Columbus - File #: 2258-2020

• File #: 2258-2020
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 10/1/2020
• In control: Public Service & Transportation Committee
• On agenda: 10/26/2020
• Final action: 10/29/2020
• Title: To authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to provide incentives to program participants relative to the Smart City Challenge Multi-Modal Trip Planning Application project; to authorize a waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 for the purchase of the incentives; to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to enter into contract with Tango Card, Inc. for the purchase and distribution of incentives to program participants; to authorize the expenditure of up to $60,000.00 from the Smart City Grant Fund for the purchase of the incentives; to authorize the expenditure of up to $450.00 from the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund for the purchase of incentives and the cost of fees associated with the distribution of the incentives; and to declare an emergency. ($60,450.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/29/2020	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
10/28/2020	1	MAYOR	Signed
10/26/2020	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
10/26/2020	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Chief Innovation Officer to contract for the purchase and distribution of gift cards from Tango Card, Inc., and for the gift cards to be used to incentivize participants to use the Smart City Challenge Multimodal Trip Planning Application (MMTPA), a Smart City Challenge initiative, in an amount of up to $60,450.00.

The Smart City Challenge is a United States 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).

The Multimodal Trip Planning Application, called Pivot, will allow Columbus residents to more easily access different travel options based on personal preference, price or convenience. The Pivot application suggests routes based on preferences such as schedule, budget and preferred travel options.

To encourage people to use the Pivot app, incentives will be offered. Smart Columbus is looking to engage 2,400 participants who will receive $25.00 gift card with compensation totaling $25.00 per participant. The path for a participant to receive the incentives is as follows:
1. A participant downloads Pivot.
2. The participant executes a trip in Pivot.
3. The participant will be asked to respond to a survey focusing on the trip and app’s user interface and experience after executing the trip.
4. After responding to the survey, the participant will receive a $25.00 gift card.

Gift cards will be purchased from Tango Card, Inc. Tango Card, Inc. will also be paid up to $450.00 to cover the costs of any fees associated with the management and distribution of gift cards to research participants as approv...