Explanation
This Ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation in an amount up to $143,597.84 for annual Accela software license subscriptions and maintenance as well as system customizations that will enable plan review and processing capabilities and fully integrate with the Department of Building and Zoning’s Accela functions.
The Department of Development’s Planning Division provides staff support to eight historic district and design review commissions. These commissions have approval authority over any development within their boundaries that require a building permit. Upon approval from the given commission, the given property owner or developer is issued a “Certification of Appropriateness” (COA) for their development project, which allows the property owner or developer to pursue their building permit with Building and Zoning Services. The process of securing a COA inherently includes overlapping processes with Building and Zoning Services. The implementation of the Accela program for the Planning Division will result in an online and more synchronized process for securing building permits in historic districts and design review areas. This synchronization will result in higher levels of transparency, alignment, and efficiencies for customers, the community, and given commission.
This ordinance also waives the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes. The Department of Development wants to ensure seamless integration with Building and Zoning Services, Department of Public Service, and Department of Public Utilities’ Accela platforms. This is best achieved by obtaining the licenses and, more importantly, the customization work through Carahsoft.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Neighborhood Economic Development fund (2237).
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The contract compliance number for Carahsoft Technology Corporation is 009115 and expires on 07/26/2024.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation for software licenses, maintenance, and application customizations; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $143,597.84 from the Neighborhood Economic Development fund. ($143,597.84)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development’s Planning Division provides staff support to eight historic district and design review commissions. These commissions have approval authority over any development within their boundaries that require a building permit; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of the Accela program for the Planning Division will result in an online and more synchronized process for securing building permits in historic districts and design review areas. This synchronization will result in higher levels of transparency, alignment, and efficiencies for customers, the community, and given commission; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the city that the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code be waived; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Development to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation Inc. for annual software license subscriptions and maintenance as well as system customizations that will enable plan review and processing capabilities and fully integrate with the Department of Building and Zoning’s Accela functions; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation Inc. for annual software license subscriptions and maintenance as well as system customizations that will enable plan review and processing capabilities and fully integrate with the Department of Building and Zoning’s Accela functions.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the sum of $143,597.84 is appropriated in Fund 2237 (Neighborhood Economic Development Fund), Dept-Div 44-06 (Planning Division), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $143,597.84 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2237 (Neighborhood Economic Development Fund), Dept-Div 44-06 (Planning Division), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes are hereby waived.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.