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File #: 1598-2025    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: First Reading
File created: 6/3/2025 In control: Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee
On agenda: 6/30/2025 Final action:
Title: To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase a professional services contract with MurphyEpson, Inc. for the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project; to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sanitary Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $694,875.00 from the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the contract modification. ($694,875.00)
Indexes: WBE Participation
Attachments: 1. ORD 1598- 2025 Accounting Template.pdf, 2. ORD 1598- 2025 Utilization Form.pdf, 3. ORD 1598-2025 SOS.pdf
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Explanation

1.  BACKGROUND

This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase a professional services contract with MurphyEpson, Inc. for the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project, CIP 650004-100005, in an amount up to $694,875.00, to pay for continuation of services.

 

The services provided in the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project consist of: supporting the implementation of Blueprint Columbus in multiple project areas; educating and informing residents about Blueprint Columbus and the problem being addressed; providing adequate notification and keeping residents in project areas apprised of work being performed in their neighborhood; advising the City regarding residents’ concerns; and providing training or additional support for contractors and City field and other staff as needed.

 

The Community Area for this project is “99-Citywide” since the project spans more than one Community Area.

 

1.1 Future Renewals/Modifications:  The original contract projected needing services through 2032.  Modifications are anticipated yearly to add funds to continue services.

  

1.2 Amount of additional funds to be expended:  $694,875.00

      Original Contract                                                                                          $368,118.00 (ORD 3172-2021; PO308187)

                     Renewal No. 1                                                                                       $499,758.75 (ORD 0801-2023; PO379528)

                     Modification No. 2                                                                                  $629,060.00 (ORD 1100-2024, PO449200)

                     Modification No. 3 (Current)                                                     $694,875.00                                                               

                     TOTAL ESTIMATED COST                                      $2,191,811.75

 

1.3 Reason other procurement processes are not used:  This contract was bid and awarded through the City’s RFP process as a multi-year contract with several modifications planned to add funding.  Another procurement process is not required.

 

1.4 How the cost of modification was determined:  Pricing was developed using current contract job titles, rates, and allowable expenses, with the final cost negotiated.

 

2.  ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT

Administration of the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project contract ensures community input is received and utilized to design the best solutions for unique neighborhood needs. Not only does this help Blueprint develop comprehensive solutions for our community, it also helps create an efficient process that reduces excessive costs resulting from engineering redesigns and timeframe extensions associated with addressing resident concerns through a less formal process.

 

3.  CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION

MurphyEpson, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-004934 and expires 01/24/27.

 

As part of their proposal, MurphyEpson, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:

 

Company Name                                           City/State                      ODI Certification Status

D&D’s Policy Works, LLC                           Columbus, Ohio                             MAJ

 

The certification of MurphyEpson, Inc. and the above company was in good standing at the time the contract was modified.

 

4.  FISCAL IMPACT

Funds are available and appropriated within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109.  An amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project.  A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sanitary Bond Fund is also needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.

 

Title

To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase a professional services contract with MurphyEpson, Inc. for the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project; to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sanitary Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $694,875.00 from the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the contract modification.  ($694,875.00)

 

Body

WHEREAS, there is an existing professional services contract with MurphyEpson, Inc. for the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project; and

 

WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a contract modification and increase contract funding to pay for additional contract services; and

 

WHEREAS, the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and

 

WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and

 

WHEREAS, funds must be expended from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay for the contract modification; now, therefore,

 

 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:

 

SECTION 1.  That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1598 - 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

6109 / 650265-100200 / DOSD HVAC and Air Purification System Replacements, No. 2 (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $1,267,130.00 / $633,729.00 / ($633,401.00)

6109 / 650346-100002/ SWWTP VFD and Harmonic Filter Upgrades (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $64,400.00 / $2,926.00/ ($61,474.00)

 

6109 / 650004-100005 / Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach 2022 (Voted Sanitary Carryover) $1,143,207.00 / $1,838,082.00 / $694,875.00

 

SECTION 2.  That the transfer of $694,875.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.

 

SECTION 3.  That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional services contract with MurphyEpson, Inc., 1650 Watermark Drive, Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, for the Blueprint Columbus Public Information Outreach Project contract, in an amount up to $694,875.00.

 

SECTION 4.  That an expenditure of $694,875.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay for this contract modification, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.

 

SECTION 5.  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.