Explanation
1. BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Construction Management, to enter into a construction contract with Proline Electric, Inc., for the Fire Training Academy (FTA) Fire Alarm Replacement project, in the amount of $635,856.20, and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in the amount of $2,000.00.
Work includes complete replacement of the fire alarm system at the Fire Training Academy located at 3639 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207.
2. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD: The project was let by the Office of Construction Management through Vendor Services and Bid Express. Six hundred seventy-three (673) vendors were solicited.
The Director of Finance and Management publicly opened four (4) bids on January 16, 2026:
1. Custom Controls Group $282,300.00
2. Black Bronco Construction $430,800.00
3. Proline Electric $585,428.10
4. Roberts Service Group $765,257.00
The bid from Custom Controls Group was deemed non-responsive for not being pre-qualified. The bid from Black Bronco Construction was deemed non-responsive as their original electrician pulled out of the project and was replaced by a vendor that was not pre-qualified.
Proline Electric’s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $585,428.10. Their DAX Vendor Account No. is 5491 and expires 7/11/27.
The Department is adding an additional $50,428.10 to project contingency to replace the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) which is currently not working and has been repaired several times. The ATS turns the generator on when the building loses power.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Replacing the ATS system is considered an emergency measure as the building contains 911 equipment which needs a consistent source of power.
4. FISCAL IMPACT: This project is being funded via Department of Finance and Management. A transfer of funds within the Construction Management Capital Improvement Fund will be necessary, as well as an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Construction Management, to enter into a construction contract with Proline Electric, Inc. for the Fire Training Academy (FTA) Fire Alarm Replacement project; to authorize a transfer of $637,856.20 and expenditure up to $637,856.20 within the Construction Management Capital Improvement Fund; to provide for payment of prevailing wage services to the Department of Public Service; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; and to declare an emergency. ($637,856.20)
Body
WHEREAS, four (4) bids for the FTA Fire Alarm Replacement project were received and publicly opened in the office of the Director of Finance and Management on January 16, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the bid from the lowest bidder, Custom Controls Group, was deemed non-responsive for not being pre-qualified; and
WHEREAS, the bid from the second lowest bidder, Black Bronco Construction, was deemed non-responsive as their original electrician pulled out of the project and was replaced by a vendor that was not pre-qualified; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Proline Electric in the amount of $585,428.10; and
WHEREAS, the Department is adding an additional $50,428.10 in contingency to replace the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) which turns the generator on when the building loses power; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to award and execute a construction contract in an amount up to $635,856.20 for the FTA Fire Alarm Replacement project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to encumber and expend funds up to $2,000.00 to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of $637,856.20 and an expenditure up to $637,856.20 within the Construction Management Capital Improvement Fund - Fund No. 7733; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditures; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management, Office of Construction Management, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a construction contract for the FTA Fire Alarm Replacement project with Proline Electric in an emergency manner in order to replace the ATS that provides a consistent source of power to the building that contains 911 equipment, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract, on behalf of the Office of Construction Management, with Proline Electric, for the FTA Fire Alarm Replacement project, in an amount up to $635,856.20, and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services from the Department of Public Service and to pay up to $2,000.00 for such prevailing wage services.
SECTION 2. That a transfer of $637,856.20 and expenditure of $637,856.20, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Construction Management Capital Improvement Fund - Fund No. 7733, in Object Class 06 - Capital Outlay, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget is hereby amended, in the Construction Management Capital Improvement Fund - Fund No. 7733, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance 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 no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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.