Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract through the City’s RFP process with CDM Smith Inc. for professional engineering services for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant (JPWRP) and Southerly Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects, CIP #650348-100007 & 650348-100008, in an amount up to $618,319.00.
Columbus Water and Power, Division of Water Reclamation (DWR), has identified a need for design development for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant (JPWRP) and Southerly Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement. The current fiber optics cabling at the JPWRP as well as fiber optic cabling in SWRP are nearing the end of their useful life and require intervention. The projects will evaluate the existing fiber optic loop to determine its capacity to support additional security and optimization technologies to enhance the performance of both Jackson Pike and Southerly WRP's core fiber optic network.
The projects will complete preliminary design, detailed design, and services during construction. Two additional mods are expected along with a corresponding construction contract and CA/CI services.
The Columbus Community is 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE: Preliminary Design is expected to begin in April 2026 and be completed in 8 months. Step 2 Detailed Design is expected to begin in January 2027 and be completed in 8 months. Step 3 construction services are expected to start in January 2028 and be completed in 16 months, or when construction is completed and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF CONTRACT: The proposed award amount is $618,319.00, including a 10% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Future contract modifications are anticipated.
Original Contract (current) $618,319.00
Modification #1 (future) $800,000.00
Modification #2 (future) $1,100,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $2,518,319.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The projects are essential for the continued successful operation of JPWRP and SWRP. A failure of the fiber optic system would hamstring the process control system and cause significant loss of functionality of the water reclamation plants, potentially resulting in loss of treatment and environmental impacts to the Scioto River. The projects will utilize local labor and return funds into the local economy.
3. BID INFORMATION: The projects were formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 9/17/2025 through 10/17/2025. Two proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date___City/State Status
CDM Smith Inc. CC-000180 10/2/2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
TRC Engineers, Inc. CC-025646 2/26/2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the SWRP & JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects be awarded to CDM Smith Inc.
CDM Smith Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against CDM Smith Inc.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
CDM Smith Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-008851 and expires 3/11/26. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against CDM Smith Inc.
As part of their proposal, CDM Smith Inc. has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status
Brown and Caldwell Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Cad Concepts Inc. Dba Cci Engineering Columbus, Ohio SRBE
Emerging Technology Integrators, LTD Columbus, Ohio SRBE
The Rovisys Company Dublin, Ohio MAJ
The certification of CDM Smith Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time of the contract modification.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
These projects are anticipated to be financed with a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The WPCLF program is jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized submitting the loan application and acceptance of funding for 650348-100007 via Ordinance 3119-2025 passed by Council on 12/15/2025. Ordinance 3119-2025 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 650348-100008 was not listed in that ordinance. Even though Ordinance 3119-2025 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OEPA and OWDA requires an ordinance specifically listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval.
These loans are expected to be approved in April of 2026. This ordinance is contingent upon the loans being approved by OWDA. The WPCLF program is now a reimbursement program. Public Utilities will need to pay CDM Smith Inc.’s invoices and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement. The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the amount of the needed loan. Funds will need to be appropriated and expended in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with CDM Smith Inc. for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant and Southerly Water Reclamation Plant Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant project; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving loans for these projects; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $618,319.00 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($618,319.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the SWRP & JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the SWRP & JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended CDM Smith Inc. be awarded the contract for these projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with CDM Smith Inc. for the SWRP & JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025 authorized the SWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF); and
WHEREAS, the JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 3119-2025 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon those loans being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the amount of the loan; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, to pay for the contracted services for the projects; 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 these projects:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6111 / 650348-100008 / JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement (Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund) / $0.00 / $309,160.00 / $309,160.00 (to match loan)
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $618,319.00 is appropriated in Fund 6111 (Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund), per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services and construction services contract for the SWRP & JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement projects with CDM Smith Inc., 445 Hutchinson Ave, Suite 820, Columbus, OH 43235, in an amount up to $618,319.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance 3119-2025 authorized the SWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account, and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 5. That City Council authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to submit loan applications and accept loan funding for the JPWRP Fiber Optic Backbone Upgrade and Replacement project, and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $618,319.00, 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 7. 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 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.