Explanation
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2012 the Columbus City Treasurer's Office issued a request for proposal, for various banking services among which was merchant processing services.
Huntington Merchant Services was awarded the contract for merchant processing. On May 6, 2013, Columbus City Council authorized contracts and expenditures for the first year of banking services, for the period of June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. On February 14, 2022 ordinance number 0374-2022 was passed by Columbus City Council which authorized the tenth year of a ten year renewal of banking services with Huntington Merchant Services for the period from June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023.
The City Treasurer’s Office in collaboration with the City Auditor’s Office and the Department of Finance and Management are currently engaged in development of a banking RFP with Crowe LLP as its RFP consultant. Throughout the RFP development project, the team has contemplated expansion of the services to be included in the RFP.
Gateway services, which facilitate the City’s on-line payments are currently under contract until March 1, 2026, subject to annual appropriation and approval by Columbus City Council. The City Treasurer wishes to include gateway services as an option for respondents to bid within the City’s banking RFP. In the event that the outcome is beneficial to the City, more time may be needed to transition the merchant processing and gateway services than was originally contemplated. Huntington Merchant Services has agreed to extend the current terms and conditions of the contract awarded in 2013 for the period of the modification of a year from May 31, 2023 to May 31, 2024 with a one year option to renew the term.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funds will added to the contract modification at this time.
Contract Compliance: Huntington Merchant Services, 113328074, expiration 5/3/2023
Title
To authorize the City Treasurer to modify its contract for banking services with Huntington Merchant Services. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer proposed the award of contracts for banking services as provided for in an RFP issued on October 3, 2012, for which the Columbus City Council authorized the contract and expenditures for merchant processing to Huntington Merchant Services for the first year on May 6, 2013; and
WHEREAS, contracts for the tenth year of a ten year contract for banking services were authorized by Columbus City Council for the period of June 1, 2022 through May 31, 20232 on February 14, 2022, ordinance 0374-2022; and
WHEREAS, due to the expansion of the banking RFP currently in development to include gateway services for on-line payments which were not originally contemplated, additional time will be needed to transition the services after award of the RFP, the Treasurer’s Office wishes to extend its contract with Huntington Merchant Services for merchant processing beyond its original ten year term; and
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer wishes to modify its contract with Huntington Merchant Services with an extension of a year from the current end date of May 31, 2023 to May 31, 2024 with an option for a one year renewal at the existent terms and conditions; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to authorize the Treasurer to modify its contract with Huntington Merchant Services providing banking services necessary for the daily operation of normal business activities of the City of Columbus thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. The City Treasurer is hereby authorized to modify its contract with Huntington Merchant Services for the provision of credit card processing services for the period June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
SECTION 2. 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 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.