Background
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus, Department of Public Safety, Division of Police has a need for ten(10) STRmix concurrent-use licenses and maintenance for the licenses. The STRmix software is used to aid in the interpretation of mixed DNA profiles and perform the statistical calculations necessary to be reported in DNA casework. This purchase is to upgrade the current validated software already in use in the DNA Section and expand the capacity by purchasing additional licenses. These upgrades to the software will allow for more concurrent users of the system to process DNA evidence and generate statistics for reporting. The Division of Police Crime Lab was awarded the 2022 American Rescue Plan Crime Lab Backlog grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Services. The total award is $1,000,000.00; $183,075.00 of this award will be used for the purchase of these licenses. There is also a need to transfer monies within the Grant Fund to fund this contract.
Bid Information: NicheVision Forensic LLC is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the STRmix software, 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 software to process DNA evidence to help solve cases.
FISCAL IMPACT: The purchase of 10 STRmix concurrent use licenses and maintenance for the licenses will be made using grant funds from the 2022 American Rescue Plan Crime Lab Backlog Grant.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety to enter into contract with NicheVision Forensic LLC., in accordance with sole source provisions of City Code, for the purchase of ten STRmix concurrent-use licenses to aid in the interpretation of mixed DNA profiles for the Division of Police Crime Lab; to authorize a transfer within the General Government Grant Fund, to authorize the expenditure of $183,075.00 from the General Government Grant Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($183,075.00)
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 Services which includes the purchase of ten STRmix concurrent use licenses and maintenance for the licenses, and
WHEREAS, the licenses will allow for more concurrent users of the system to process DNA evidence and generate statistics for reporting; and
WHEREAS, NicheVision Forensic LLC is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the STRmix software, and
WHEREAS, there is no other source for these licenses in the United States than to purchase directly from NicheVision Forensic LLC, 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, it is necessary to transfer funds from 06 to 03 within the General Government Grant Fund to cover the cost for the licenses and maintenance, 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 Director to enter into contract with NicheVision to purchase the needed items within the grant period, increase efficiency and reduce backlog in the DNA 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 Public Safety be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with NicheVision LLC,, in accordance with sole source provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Code, to purchase ten STRmix concurrent-use licenses and maintenance for the Division of Police.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $183,075.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 2220, General Government Grant Fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $183,075.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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.