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AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COOK COUNTY CONTRACT 2112-06151 WITH CLARITY PARTNERS, LLC FOR WEBSITE HOSTING, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT
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To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent and CEO or her designee to participate in Cook County Contract 2112-06151 with Clarity Partners, LLC for Website Hosting, Maintenance, and Support for the Chicago Park District’s website and mobile application. Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section D, 7 of the Code of the Chicago Park District, the Director of Purchasing may participate in another governmental entity’s contract when doing so is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District. The contractor was selected pursuant to a Request for Proposals publicly advertised by Cook County. No work may commence and no payment shall be made to the contractor prior to the execution of a written agreement.
II. Award Information
Contractor: Clarity Partners, LLC.
20 N. Clark Street, Suite 3600
Chicago IL. 60602
Company Type: Illinois Business Corporation
Majority Interests: David Namkung 51%
Rodney Zech 49%
Contract Period: The term will expire on December 19, 2026. There are two (2), one (1) year extension periods available.
Authorized Amount: Not-to-Exceed $1,247,500 for the initial contract term. If extension options are exercised, the annual Not-to-Exceed amount will be $235,000
Scope of Services: Web and Mobile Application Support Services
Affirmative Action Goals: Clarity Partners, LLC. is a City of Chicago certified Minority Owned Business Enterprise. Clarity Partners Women Owned Business Enterprise participation for this contract includes 5% women owned.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the Secretary to attest to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2022-2026
Source of Funds: 001.8230.8230.623020.00001.01.01.00001
IV. Procurement Information
Per the Chicago Park District Code, Chapter 11, Section D. 7(a)(i), when it is in the best interest of the Park District, the Director of Purchasing may use Cooperative Purchasing to join in another governmental entity’s contract.
In 2021, Cook County (“County”) publicly advertised and issued a Task Order Request (“TOR”) for Website Hosting and Support services seeking a qualified company with expertise providing specialized website and mobile application support and maintenance (Spec No. County 1390-13069). On December 16, 2021, the Cook County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Clarity Partners, LLC. (“Clarity”) for Website Hosting and Support (Contract No. 2112-06151). The County’s TOR was competitively bid and followed the County’s procurement process. The County’s TOR was a Target Market bid, meaning it sought proposals exclusively from a prequalified pool of M/WBE firms. The Department of Purchasing submitted the request to participate in this contract to the Chief Procurement Officer of the County on September 19, 2022 and received approval on October 12, 2022.
V. Explanation
Since 2012, Clarity Partners, LLC, a certified MBE contractor, has provided web hosting, support, and maintenance services for the Chicago Park District (“CPD”) website (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com) and the CPD “My Chi Parks” Mobile Application (“App”). Most recently, Clarity has provided these services to the Park District as part of a cooperative purchasing arrangement with Cook County and was approved by the CPD Board of Commissioners in 2017. The County publicly advertised this opportunity again in 2021 and the contract was awarded to Clarity.
In addition, Clarity has the experience, ability, and qualified personnel to provide the required level of service and support to the Chicago Park District. The Clarity team has built the integration of CPD’s website and ACTIVE Network’s registration system. This integration acts as a conduit for residents to search, sign-up, and pay for CPD camps, activities, events, and permits. We believe it is beneficial for CPD to keep the consistency and familiarity of supporting the website and its revenue stream.
The pricing achieved under cooperative purchasing with Cook County is more favorable than what CPD would have received if it advertised under its own solicitation for these services, therefore, we benefit from the economies of scale. With the value provided by this contractor it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to participate in Cook County’s agreement with Clarity Partners, LLC for Website Hosting, Maintenance, and Support.
VI. General Conditions
1. Conflicts: The agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2. Ethics: The Chicago Park District’s Ethics Code, Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District, shall be incorporated into and made part of the agreement.
3. Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). The agreement shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.
4. Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS prior to execution of the contract.