Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Division of Police Digital Forensic Unit is in need of purchasing a new private Sumuri Talino KA computer server and workstation. The unit’s current server has run out of storage space, cannot be expanded, and is outdated. As technology evolves, so does the size of electronic data recovered from digital devices that must be stored as evidence for criminal and civil investigations/proceedings. This data includes video, audio, GPS data, photographs, cellular phone data, etc. Storage of this data is critical to police operations and necessary to comply with state and federal law. Since some of the data stored contains child sexual abuse material, the computer server and workstation must be private and maintained in the Digital Forensics Unit. The Sumuri Talino KA- server and workstation holds more storage than any other solution on the current market.
This vendor is also well known throughout the world for providing reliable forensic equipment for the forensic community.
BID INFORMATION: The Division of Police requests to waive the competitive bid provisions of the Columbus city codes to purchase this equipment due to its compatibility with other equipment owned by the division of Police.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: CC025782; Expired 9/20/2020 Sumuri LLC will be contract complaint by the time this legislation is read by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding for the Sumuri Talino KA- computer server and workstation has already been appropriated and authorized by Ordinance 2339-2021 passed on 9-29-2021. This expenditure is funded by the Law Enforcement Seizure Fund, 2219.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is necessary to purchase the server and workstation due to the current server being full and the division needs a place to store the sensitive information according to law.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Sumuri LLC., to purchase a private server and workstation to store digital evidence; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; to authorize the expenditure of $255,990.00 from the Law Enforcement Seizure Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($255,990.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Division of Police needs to purchase a Sumuri Talino KA- computer server and workstation, and the cost of the server and workstation is $255,990.00; and
WHEREAS, the funding for the server and workstation have been appropriated and authorized by Ordinance 2339-2021 passed on 9/29/2021; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding for this purchase;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the City of Columbus Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Sumuri LLC for a private server and workstation to store digital evidence, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, 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 be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Sumuri LLC for a private server and workstation to store digital evidence.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $255,900.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized in the Law Enforcement Seizure Fund in object class 06 and 02 per the accounting codes in the attachment of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That in accordance with Section 392.27 of the Columbus City Codes, this Council finds it in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Codes to permit the aforementioned purchase.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 or vetoes the same.