Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Public Utilities is an active subscription participant in The Water Research Foundation. This subscription gives access to a global network of experts and early information about utility-based research, saving substantial costs in treatment, collection, distribution, monitoring, resources, and management by applying the foundation's research findings. All subscribers are members of The Water Research Foundation and share in the responsibility of establishing an industry research program for both water and wastewater. For these reasons, the Division of Water and the Division of Sewerage and Drainage would like to participate in the Water Research Foundation based on the sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code.
SUPPLIER: Water Research Foundation: 13-6211384 (Vendor# 000727) Non-Profit
The Water Research Foundation is a non-profit organization and does not require a contract compliance number.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: Up to $115,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund and up to $35,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund, which totals $150,000.00, is needed and budgeted for this subscription.
$147,176.15 was expended for the 2020 subscription.
$143,382.76 was expended for the 2019 subscription.
$139,717.61 was expended for the 2018 subscription.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish an encumbrance for a subscription to The Water Research Foundation program for 2021, in accordance with the sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $115,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund and up to $35,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the primary function of the Water Research Foundation is to address operational problems of utilities, using expertise of utilities, universities, consultants, etc., in order to find more advanced and cost effective solutions to perennial concerns, and
WHEREAS, the Water Research Foundation is the sole provider for this subscription service. Therefore, this ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code relating to Sole Source procurement; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $115,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund and up to $35,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund.
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Division of Water and the Division of Sewerage and Drainage to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish an encumbrance for a subscription to The Water Research Foundation program for 2021, in order to receive the benefit of an independent water and wastewater industry research effort; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to establish an encumbrance with The Water Research Foundation, in accordance with the sole source provisions of the Columbus City Code, for the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code relating to Sole Source procurement.
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 expenditure of $150,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6000 Water Operating Fund and Fund 6100 Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.