Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Thinkwell, LLC. for Leadership Development Program Services.
The Department of Public Utilities, aka Columbus Water & Power (CWP) is committed to establishing an organization wide leadership development program. This program will provide support and tools to CWP managers and additional leaders to effectively lead CWP into the future.
This program will aim to develop and refine a leadership development program by creating a sustainable roadmap and ensuring the work environment supports employees in applying their newly developed skills in real time. The program will create a culture of continuous learning, foster a growth mindset, encourage innovation, resilience, and adaptability in tackling challenges. The program will have a phased approach and will align with CWP’s strategic goals and address the organizational needs. Included in the program will be a combination of needs assessments, interviews, competency alignments, training modules, continuous evaluation, and plan development. The project deliverables include but are not limited to different leadership development programs for the varying levels of leadership within CWP, both a short- and long-term communication plan, transition plans, and templates for leaders to use.
Procurement:
The Department of Public Utilities solicited competitive proposals through Vendor Services and Bonfire from December 20th, 2024 to February 21st, 2025 for the leadership development program services in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code, RFQ029441. Twenty-Seven (27) bids were received, fourteen were deemed non-responsive, and thirteen were deemed responsive. The proposals were evaluated on July 30, 2025. The proposals that were deemed responsive were received from Abundance Leadership, Accenture, Acloche, Angels Time, Be Unapologetically, BOSS, Drew Alexander Consulting, Exposeyour LLC, Mahogany Search Partners, R. Viney Consulting LTD, RAMA Consulting, ThinkWell LLC, and Varsey Laurelle Consulting. The evaluation committee determined that Thinkwell, LLC. submitted the strongest proposal because of the relevant experience and credentials of its project team, its understanding of the Department’s needs and goals, and it presented a tailored direct five-phase plan with a strong emphasis on succession planning and cultural integration.
This contract will be in effect from December 1, 2025 up to and including December 31, 2026 with the option to renew annually for two (2) additional one (1) year periods upon mutual agreement between the parties, availability of budgeted funds, and approval by City Council. This contract will not automatically renew. If unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be requested.
This ordinance authorizes the initial term of the contract and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
Principal Party:
Thinkwell, LLC
447 Brevoort Rd.
Columbus, OH 43214
Kerstin Carr, (614) 636-2049
Contract Compliance Number: 051473
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: January 13, 2027
Fiscal Impact: $267,683.75 is available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$0.00 was spent in 2024
$0.00 was spent in 2023
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a service agreement with Thinkwell, LLC. for Leadership Development Program Services; and to authorize the expenditure of $267,683.75 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($267,683.75)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Thinkwell, LLC. for the leadership development program services; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities solicited proposals for the leadership development program services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code through RFQ029441; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities wishes to enter into a service agreement from December 1, 2025 to and including December 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $267,683.75 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for the Leadership Development Program with Thinkwell, LLC.; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a service agreement with Thinkwell, LLC., for the Leadership Development Program. The amount being authorized by this ordinance is $267,683.75.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the expenditure of $267,683.75 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from object class 03, Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.