Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Fields Excavating, Inc. via the City’s Invitation For Bid Process for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100135, in an amount up to $7,358,590.58, and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $7,360,590.58.
Work consists of open-cut installation of approximately 11,260 linear feet of 2-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch water mains, connecting to existing water taps, as well as the replacement of privately owned lead and galvanized water service lines, meter relocations, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract. The Department of Public Service will be cost participating on miscellaneous streets throughout the project area to provide additional asphalt and concrete pavement restoration. Contingency quantities were also included to allow DPS to determine additional areas that may need replaced during the project. The streets include Heyl Avenue, South 17th Street, South 18th Street, The First Alley South of Mithoff Street, Ann Street, South Champion Avenue, Reinhard Avenue, East 5th Avenue, Joyce Avenue, East 4th Avenue, Bliss Street, and South Hampton Road.
The Community Area for this ordinance will be: 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE:
All work shall be complete within 550 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in October of 2026.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $7,358,590.58, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $7,358,590.58
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $7,358,590.58
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
Total $7,360,590.58
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace or rehabilitate the existing water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) has been contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from April 29, 2026, through June 3, 2026. Five bids were received for the project and opened on June 3, 2026. The following companies submitted bids:
Company Bid Amount
1. Fields Excavating, Inc. $7,358,590.58
2. JLD Construction Services, LLC. $7,470,786.66
3. Driven Excavating, LLC. $7,574,861.54
4. Danbert, Inc. $9,028,316.65
5. Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio, Inc. $9,924,301.20
Fields Excavating, Inc.'s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $7,358,590.58.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Fields Excavating, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC005416 and expires 6/2/2028.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Fields Excavating, Inc.
As part of their proposal Fields Excavating, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State Contract Compliance Status
Strawser Paving Company, Inc. Columbus, OH MAJ
Donley Concrete Cutting Company Pickerington, OH MAJ
Griffin Pavement Striping Columbus, OH MAJ
The certification of Fields Excavating, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Fields Excavating, Inc. has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Division of Water Construction Funding
The Division of Water’s construction portion of 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 1320-2026, passed by Council on 6/1/2026. The loan is expected to be approved in September of 2026. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. The WSRLA program is now a reimbursement program. The Department of Public Utilities will pay invoices for the work performed and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, in the amount of $7,302,332.18.
Department of Public Service Construction Funding
$56,258.40 is available and appropriated within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash and appropriation is necessary to align spending with the proper project.
Department of Public Service Prevailing Wage Administration
Funds in the amount of $2,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, Project 690236, to pay the Department of Public Service to perform prevailing wage services for the project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Fields Excavating, Inc. for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $7,358,590.58 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund and the Streets and Highways Bond Fund to pay for the contract; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project; to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($7,360,590.58)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, five bids for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project were received and opened on June 3, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Fields Excavating, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1320-2026, passed by City Council on 6/1/2026, authorized 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 loan approval for construction of the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project by the Ohio Water Development Authority which is anticipated to occur in September of 2026; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, to pay for the construction of this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund to pay for the project, Fund 7704, to pay for the construction of this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Fields Excavating, Inc., for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6011 / 690236-100135 / Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements (WSRLA Loan) / $5,050,000.00 / $7,302,333.00 / $2,252,333.00 (To match the loan amount)
7704 / 530282-100051 / Resurfacing - Resurfacing Projects (Voted Carryover) / $353,462.00 / $297,203.00 / ($56,259.00)
7704 / 530282-100101 / Resurfacing - Citywide (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $56,259.00 / $56,259.00
6006 / 690554-100000 / Laboratory Upgrades (Voted Water Carryover) / $491,029.00 / $489,029.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690236-100135 / Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $7,302,332.18, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, in the amount of $2,000.00 is needed per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project with Fields Excavating, Inc., 177 Township Road 191, Kitts Hill, OH 45645-8730, in an amount up to $7,358,590.58; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan for this project.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $7,360,590.58, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this project per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.