Background
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Safety, Division of Police has a need to purchase two BrassTrax Acquisition Stations. These computer imaging systems allow for spent cartridge cases from crime scenes and from test-fired recovered firearms to be imaged and entered into the national database. The entered evidence and test fires are then compared to the millions of other entries in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) database to generate leads for the linkage of gun crimes.
The Division of Police Crime Lab was awarded the 2022 American Rescue Plan Crime Lab Backlog grant from the Office of Criminal Justice. The total award is $1,000,000.00, $278,225.00 of this award will be used for the purchase of these stations.
Bid Information: Forensic Technology Inc. is the sole manufacturer and distributor of BrassTrax equipment, upgrades, and services. Furthermore, BrassTrax technology has been proven to be in compliance with the security requirements necessary for participation in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) NIBIN program. Therefore, the Division of Police is requesting a Sole Source purchase so that they may purchase the specified items from the grant award and to be in compliance with the grant application and award.
This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
Contract Compliance The vendor will be contract compliant by the time this ordinance is read.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested to expedite the process of this purchase in order to meet the deadlines of the grant award and to supply the crime lab with the necessary tools to collect evidence that will help to solve firearm-related crimes.
FISCAL IMPACT: The purchase of two BrassTrax Acquisition Stations which includes color printers, associated parts, warranty, and freight will be made using grant funds from the 2022 American Rescue Plan Crime Lab Backlog Grant.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with Forensic Technology Inc., in accordance with sole source provisions of the City Code, for the purchase two BrassTrax Acquisition Stations which includes color printers, associated parts, warranty, and freight for the Division of Police Crime Lab, to increase the efficiency of submitting timely database entries of firearm-related crime scene evidence into the National Ballistic Information Network; to authorize the expenditure of $278,255.00 from the General Government Grant Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($278,225.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police Crime Lab was awarded the 2022 American Rescue Plan Crime Lab Backlog grant from the Office of Criminal Justice which includes the purchase of the two BrassTrax Acquisition Stations, and
WHEREAS, the equipment will be used to increase the efficiency of submitting timely database entries of firearm-related crime scene evidence; and
WHEREAS, Forensic Technology Inc. is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the BrassTrax Acquisition Station, and
WHEREAS, there is no other source for these products in the United States than to purchase directly from Forensic Technology, and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to enter said agreement in accordance with sole source provisions of Section 329 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Safety Department, Division of Police, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to purchase BassTrax Acquisition Stations for use by the Police Crime Lab within the grant period and increase the efficiency and reduce backlog in the Firearms Section of the crime lab, 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 contract with Forensic Technology Inc., in accordance with the sole source provisions of City Code, to purchase two BrassTrax Acquisition Stations which includes two color printers, associated parts, warranty, and freight for the Division of Police.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $278,225.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
SECTION 3. 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 and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 nor vetoes the same.