APPROVE spending authority for Emergency Purchase of Various Goods and Services related to the City's response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

DR4519(COVID-19) - Approve spending authority for the emergency purchase of various goods and services related to the City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Specific Explanation:

The Chief Procurement Officer recommends that City Council approve spending authority in an amount not to exceed $12,279,249.90 for the emergency purchase of various goods and services related to the City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Additionally, it is also requested that authorization be given to issue purchase orders to the vendors listed on the attached spreadsheet for the provision of such goods and services. 

In response to the Mayor's initial proclamation issued on March 11, 2020 declaring a Local State of Disaster Due to a Public Health Emergency, and the indefinite extension of the declaration issued on March 17, 2020, the City has engaged numerous vendors to assist with responding to the public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The goods and services provided by these various vendors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The purchase of various types of laptops, docking stations, display port adapters, and imaging services to assist in the creation of a socially distant and mobile workforce; 
• Installation services, including set up of new laptop equipment, installation of department-specific software/ applications, and data migration;
• The purchase of a covered structure for use at COVID-19 testing sites to provide optimal safety of workers, expedient handling of testing, and safe and efficient curbside testing for the public; 
• The purchase of PPE, including isolation gowns;
• The purchase of the SARS-CoV-2 testing portfolio to serve as an additional testing platform for the Houston Health Department;
• The purchase of a custom nationwide plan and mobile broadband plan for services needed by both sworn and non-sworn HPD personnel;
• Automation of process for issuance of citations and subpoenas to eliminate in-person activity for both ARA and HFD inspection teams; 
• The purchase of enhanced virtual services for HPL, including increased storage and virtualization due to a higher demand for online services since the closure of HPL facilities in March due to COVID-19;
• The purchase and installation of automatic (touchless) flush valves (toilets) and touchless faucets for restrooms and kitchens in all HPW facilities that do not currently have such equipment;
• The purchase of 15 temperature-controlled storage containers to store HPD's PPE supplies and equipment in the field to ensure personnel have adequate and timely access to necessary equipment; 
• The purchase of technology to assist with contact tracing, allowing HHD to electronically notify a person that they are a close person of a confirmed positive case and providing that person with the opportunity to select a location and time to be tested;  
• The rental of portable toilets and associated services for use by clients at testing sites; and
• The implementation of an externship program at the City of Houston for vulnerable youth to become community health workers to support Houston's most vulnerable and at-risk communities for COVID-19.

The attached spreadsheet represents emergency purchase orders that have been approved to-date by the Chief Procurement Officer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic since August 20, 2020 and have not yet come before City Council for approval.  This consolidated request for City Council approval is hereby made in an effort to streamline the procurement process and allow the City to be agile and timely in responding to the ever-changing needs of both the City's residents and the demands of the pandemic. 

This recommendation is made pursuant to section 252.022(a)(2) of the Texas Local Government Code, which provides that "a procurement necessary to preserve or protect the public health or safety of the municipality's residents" is exempt from the competitive bidding process.

M/WBE Participation:

These Emergency Purchase Orders have been reviewed for possible MWBE participation.   In cases where participation is possible, appropriation OBO documentation will be provided. 

Hire Houston First:

The proposed procurements are exempt from the City's Hire Houston First ordinance.  Bids/ proposals were not solicited because the departments are utilizing emergency purchase orders for these procurements.   

Disaster Note:

This item is related to the impact of COVID-19 and it is the City's intent to use other federal funding sources for eligible expenditures, namely the Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars. 

Fiscal Note:

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

$12,279,249.90

Fund 5307

Name                                              Department          Phone 

 Candice M. Gambrell                       FIN/ SPD             832.393.9129

Jerry Adams                                     FIN/ SPD             832.393.9126