Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a Professional Engineering Services contract with CDM Smith, Inc, via the City’s Request for Proposal process for the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Improvements, CIP #690618-100000, in an amount up to $2,999,857.30.
This project is necessary to facilitate the installation of GAC facilities at the City’s DRWP surface water treatment plant. The current DRWP treatment process is not able to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Treatment capability is needed to consistently meet the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. GAC is a proven technology for PFAS removal. Adding GAC will also help position the DRWP to meet other potential future regulatory requirements and improve public health protection.
The GAC improvements shall improve public health for our customers, serve all intentions of their planned operation, provide flexibility and ease of operation, and shall be completed while maintaining the treatment efficacy, hydraulic, and production capacity of DRWP.
This contract tasks include, but not be limited to, inspections and evaluations of existing conditions, alternatives analysis, conceptual design, negotiations with the authorities having jurisdiction, preparation of a preliminary design and report for the GAC improvements, and other services as captured in the contract.
The Community Area for this ordinance will be “99” Citywide.
TIMELINE: The Notice to Proceed for the initial contract is anticipated to occur in the third quarter of 2025 with completion of the Preliminary Design Report in the third quarter of 2026. The City may elect to issue a contract modification for Detailed Design. If executed, detailed design is anticipated to begin the third quarter of 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027. The City may elect to issue at least two contract modifications for Engineering Services During Construction. Project completion is anticipated in 2032.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The initial contract is being authorized in the amount of $2,999,857.30. Planned modifications to add funds are anticipated. The estimated cost of the contract is provided below.
Cost summary:
Initial Contract $ 2,999,857.30
Future Renewal #1 (future) $10,000,000.00
Future Renewal #2 (future) $ 8,000,000.00
Future Renewal #3 (future) $ 8,000,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $28,999,857.30
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project is to facilitate the installation of GAC facilities at the City’s DRWP surface water treatment plant. The current DRWP treatment process is not able to remove PFAS compounds and additional treatment capability is needed to consistently meet the proposed finished water regulatory requirements for PFAS. GAC is a proven technology for PFAS removal. Adding GAC will also help position the DRWP to meet other potential future regulatory requirements and improve public health protection. Water quality provided by the City is essential to human health and economic growth and development.
There were no public meetings held regarding this work. DRWP is a secure facility and is not a publicly accessible facility.
3. BID INFORMATION
A Request for Proposals for the DRWP GAC Improvement project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 02/28/25 through 04/04/25. Three proposals were received for the project and were opened on 4/4/25. The following companies submitted proposals:
Company City/State Compliance Number ODI Status
CDM Smith, Inc Columbus/OH CC000180 MAJ
Black & Veatch Columbus/OH CC008038 MAJ
AECOM Columbus/OH CC010897 MAJ
The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the DRWP GAC Improvement project be awarded to CDM Smith, Inc.
The certification of CDM Smith, Inc was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
CDM Smith, Inc’s contract compliance number is CC000180 and expires 10/2/2026.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against CDM Smith, Inc
CDM Smith, Inc listed the following companies as sub-consultants for this project:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Jacobs Columbus/OH MAJ
Dynotec Columbus/OH MBE
Resource International, Inc. Columbus/OH WBE
Osborn Engineering Columbus/OH MAJ
Donahue Ideas Columbus/OH WBE
CTL Engineering Columbus/OH MBE
The certification of CDM Smith, Inc and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
This project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0859-2024, passed by Council on April 15, 2024. The loan is expected to be approved in June, 2025.
This project is contingent on the WSRLA loan being approved by the OWDA Board. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. It is necessary to appropriate funds in the amount of $2,999,857.30 in Fund 6011 (Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund) for the DOW loan portion of this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with CDM Smith, Inc for Professional Construction Management Services for the DRWP GAC Improvement project; to appropriate funds in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,999,857.30 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund to pay for the project. ($2,999,857.30)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the DRWP GAC Improvement project; and
WHEREAS, a proposal for the DRWP GAC Improvement project was received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended CDM Smith, Inc be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0859-2024 authorized the work on this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA); and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with CDM Smith, Inc for the DRWP GAC Improvement project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Water Revolving Loan Fund to pay for the project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $2,999,857.30, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional construction management contract for the DRWP GAC Improvements project with CDM Smith, Inc, 445 Hutchinson Ave #820, Columbus, Ohio 43235, in an amount up to $2,999,857.30; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $2,999,857.30, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.