Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with Hill International, Inc. (hereafter Hill International) for the Professional Construction Management Services (PCM) - 2020 contract, CIP Number 690587-100001, in an amount up to $4,250,200.00.
This contract assists the City with managing a capital improvement program consisting of multiple capital improvement projects to ensure completion in accordance with design requirements and City’s needs, while serving as a liaison between the construction contractor, design professional (DP), and City personnel. Work performed to date includes program support services, design phase construction management services (e.g., construction cost estimating, constructability reviews, and construction scheduling), and construction administration / construction inspection (CA/CI) services. Future planned modifications of the contract will continue these same services.
The Community Planning Area is “99 - Citywide” as the water facilities associated with this contract serve multiple planning areas.
1.1 Contract Timeline and Future Modifications: The Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the original contract occurred in December 2020. Construction projects were assigned to this contract based on their advertisement date using a three-year assignment period that started at this contract’s NTP date; thus, the assignment period ran from December 2020 to December 2023. The PCM team will provide construction services through completion of the last construction project assigned to this contract. Thus, the end date for this contract will depend on the construction duration of the last construction project assigned.
1.2 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $9,960,500.00
Original Contract Amount: $ 2,442,500.00 (Ordinance No. 2380-2020)
Renewal No. 1: $ 6,826,100.00 (Ordinance No. 1569-2021)
Renewal No. 2: $ 7,371,100.00 (Ordinance No. 1404-2022)
Renewal No. 3: $ 9,421,900.00 (Ordinance No. 1000-2023)
Modification No. 4: $ 9,960,500.00 (Ordinance No. 0845-2024)
Modification No. 5: $ 8,090,400.00 (Ordinance No. 0616-2025)
Modification No. 6: (Current): $ 4,250,200.00 (Current Ordinance)
Modification No. 7: (future estimate): $ 600,000.00
Contract Total: $48,962,700.00
ESTIMATED CONTRACT TOTAL $48,962,700.00
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used: This work was awarded through the City’s RFP process. Another procurement process is not required to continue the work.
1.4. How the cost of the modification was determined: The City identified the services anticipated to be needed over the next year for each project currently assigned to this contract. Hill International developed a proposal for the hours/resources necessary to complete the services based upon the current contract rates and allowable expenses. The City and Hill International negotiated to determine the final price.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This PCM contract supports various projects in the Division of Water capital program. These projects maintain and upgrade drinking water supply and treatment facilities to provide a safe and reliable water supply to the Central Ohio area. All of these functions are tied to the economic vitality of the service area.
Most projects are located within secure areas of the water supply system that are not accessible to the public and for these projects no community outreach activities are anticipated. Community outreach activities will be considered for projects that impact the public.
The consultant team identified a commitment to the Mayor’s Green Initiative in their business practices and will be involved in applying Department of Public Utilities Environmental Management System (EMS) practices to the construction projects.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Hill International’s contract compliance number is CC000990 and expires 10/22/27.
As part of their proposal, Hill International has proposed the following thirteen subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
H.R. Gray Columbus/Oh MAJ
Black & Veatch Corporation Columbus/Oh MAJ
T&M Associates Columbus/Oh MAJ
Dynotec, Inc Columbus/Oh MBE
Resource International, Inc Columbus/Oh WBE
CDM Smith Columbus/Oh MAJ
Ascension Construction Solutions Columbus/Oh MBE
G. Stephens, Inc. Columbus/Oh MBE
Andover Associates, Ltd. Columbus/Oh WBE
Donahue Ideas Columbus/Oh WBE
Stone Environmental Westerville/Oh WBE
Geotechnical Consultants, Inc. Westerville/Oh MAJ
CTL Engineering, Inc. Columbus/Oh MBE
The certification of Hill International and the above companies was in good standing at the time the contract was modified.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract modification will be split between bond funds and loans because two of the six projects are not eligible to be loan funded.
Loan Funded Portion
Four loans are planned to be obtained from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Fresh Water loan program totaling $3,686,800.00. The projects anticipated to be loan funded are:
• 690486-100000 HCWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements ($1,517,300.00)
• 690487-100000 PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements ($1,176,200.00)
• 690545-100000 HCWP Lime and Soda Ash Dust Collection System Improvements ($206,500.00)
• 690291-100002 PAWP Misc. Imp's - Lime Slaker and Soda Ash Feeder Replacement ($786,800.00)
These loans are expected to go before the OWDA Board for approval in May, 2026. Public Utilities will inform the Auditor’s Office when the loans have been approved. The funding for these four projects is contingent upon OWDA approving loans for them. These loans were not included on the annual authorizing ordinance to apply for OWDA Fresh Water loans. That ordinance included City Council's approval for Public Utilities to make additions, deletions, or other changes to the list without seeking additional Council approval. However, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically stating a project is approved for loan funding by City Council. This ordinance will request that approval.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to establish budget authority for the proper projects. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014. The OWDA Fresh Water loan program is a reimbursement program. The Department of Public Utilities will pay project invoices and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
Bond Funded Portion
The following projects are planned to be financed with bond funds in the amount of $563,400.00:
• 690587-100001 Program Management ($259,800.00)
• 690540-100002 Water Treatment Residuals Turnkey Dewatering Services ($303,600.00)
Funds are appropriated and available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper projects. 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 modify and increase a professional engineering services contract with Hill International for the Professional Construction Management Services 2020 contract; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund; to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for Ohio Water Development Authority Fresh Water loans and to execute any documents needed to accept the loans; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving the loans; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $4,250,200.00 from the Water Bond Fund and the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund to pay for the contract modification. ($4,250,200.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Professional Construction Management Services - 2020 project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2380-2020 authorized the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to award the Professional Construction Management Services - 2020 contract to Hill International; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1569-2021 authorized contract renewal No. 1 and additional funding to be added to the contract; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1404-2022 authorized contract renewal No. 2 and additional funding to be added to the contract; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1000-2023 authorized contract renewal No. 3 and additional funding to be added to the contract; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0845-2024 authorized contract modification No. 4 and additional funding to be added to the contract; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0616-2025 authorized contract modification No. 5 and additional funding to be added to the contract; and
WHEREAS, another contract modification is needed to add funding to continue needed services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget for the purpose of aligning budget authority with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds within the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to align cash and appropriation with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Water Development Authority requires an ordinance showing City Council authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to apply for, accept, and execute documents related to obtaining OWDA Fresh Water loans for specific projects; and
WHEREAS, the funding for the four OWDA loan funded projects in this ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving loans for them; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, and from the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for this contract modification; 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 execute a contract modification for the Professional Construction Management Services - 2020 contract with Hill International to fund continued services for the contract; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements 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
6014 / 690486-100000 / HCWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $1,517,300.00 / $1,517,300.00 (To match loan amount)
6014 / 690487-100000 / PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $1,176,200.00 / $1,176,200.00 (To match loan amount)
6014 / 690545-100000 / HCWP Lime and Soda Ash Dust Collection System Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $206,500.00 / $206,500.00 (To match loan amount)
6014 / 690291-100002 / PAWP Misc. Imp's - Lime Slaker and Soda Ash Feeder Replacement (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $786,800.00 / $786,800.00 (To match loan amount)
6006 / 690552-100000 / Plant Drain & Water System Imp's (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $363,100.00 / $363,100.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690576-100000 / DOW Safety Improvements (Voted Water Carryover / $337,500.00 / $391,469.00 / $53,969.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690607-100000 / Merchant Road Property Demolition (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $121,941.00 / $121,941.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690552-100000 / Plant Drain & Water System Imp's (Voted Water Carryover) / $363,100.00 / $0.00 / ($363,100.00)
6006 / 690576-100000 / DOW Safety Improvements (Voted Water Carryover / $391,469.00 / $337,500.00 / ($53,969.00)
6006 / 690607-100000 / Merchant Road Property Demolition (Voted Water Carryover) / $121,941.00 / $0.00 / ($121,941.00)
6006 / 690291-100000 / PAWP Facility Misc. Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $26,350.00 / $1,960.00 / ($24,390.00)
6006 / 690587-100001 / Program Management / (Voted Water Carryover) / $513,200.00 / $773,000.00 / 259,800.00
6006 / 690540-100002 / Water Treatment Residuals Turnkey Dewatering Services / (Voted Water Carryover) / $599,600.00 / $903,200.00 / $303,600.00
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 ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $3,686,800.00 is appropriated in the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014, per the account codes in the funding attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $563,400.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify the professional engineering services contract with Hill International, Inc., 2 Easton Oval, Suite 110, Columbus, Ohio, 43219, for the Professional Construction Management Services - 2020 Project, to add funds in an amount up to $4,250,200.00.
SECTION 5. That an expenditure of $4,250,200.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Water Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014, and the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay for this contract modification per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That Columbus City Council authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to apply for loans for the projects listed in the Fiscal Impact Section of this Ordinance through the Ohio Water Development Authority's (OWDA) Fresh Water loan program, to accept such loans if approved by OWDA, and to execute documents necessary to enter into these loan agreements.
SECTION 7. The funding for the four loan funded projects in this ordinance (projects 690486-100000 HCWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements, 690487-100000 PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements, 690545-100000 HCWP Lime and Soda Ash Dust Collection System Improvements, and 690291-100002 PAWP Misc. Imp's - Lime Slaker and Soda Ash Feeder Replacement) is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving loans for them. This contingency is per each loan, not per the entire group of four loans approved. Once this ordinance becomes effective 30 days after final City Council approval, Auditor Certificates are to be issued for any of the projects for which the OWDA Board has approved loans without waiting on all four projects to receive loans.
SECTION 8. The bond funded projects in this ordinance (690587-100001 Program Management and 690540-100002 Water Treatment Residuals Turnkey Dewatering Services) are not contingent upon the passage of loan funding. Auditor Certificates are to be issued for them when this ordinance becomes effective 30 days after final City Council approval even if all the loan funded projects have not received loan approval from OWDA.
SECTION 9. 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 10. 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 11. 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 12. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.