Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract through the City’s RFP process with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project, CIP No. 690502-100003, Contract No. 2381, in an amount up to $579,553.00.
The intent of this contract is to provide the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, professional engineering services for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project, CIP No. 690502-100003, Contract No. 2381. This project provides for general rehabilitation of the water distribution system within the project areas. It is expected to include replacement of transmission water lines which have exceeded their useful life and construction of new lines to eliminate poor fire flow capabilities due to restricted flow in the pipe diameter. The preliminary engineering phase of this project will evaluate the replacement of the existing 24-inch transmission main in the Hudson Road / Arcadia Avenue area of the North pressure district.
This project is located within the following Community Planning Areas:
1. University District (44)
2. North Linden (40)
3. State of Ohio (66)
4. South Linden (45)
5. Clintonville (39)
TIMELINE: The duration of the preliminary design phase for this project is estimated to be 10 months. The contract is expected to be modified for final design at the end of the preliminary design phase. Final design is estimated to be another 12 months. The awarded consultant will also perform services during construction for this contract, which is estimated to take two years to complete. The contract will be effective from the time the consultant is authorized to begin work on this contract until the work is complete and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $579,553.00 including a 15% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Two contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, design exigency might later compel modification of this contract if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $ 579,553.00
Final Design (estimated) $ 600,000.00
Services During Const.(estimated) $ 250,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $1,429,553.00
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 risk of failure and lack current capacity requirements. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from January 9, 2025 through February 21, 2025. Six proposals were received:
Name Contract Compliance. No. Exp. Date City/State Status
DLZ Ohio, Inc. CC004939 7/22/26 Columbus, OH MAJ
Ribway Engineering CC005279 11/21/26 Columbus, OH MAJ
EMH&T CC004214 11/8/25 Columbus, OH MAJ
American Structurepoint CC007019 6/10/27 Columbus, OH MAJ
GPD CC006560 10/2/26 Columbus, OH MAJ
Prime AE Group CC002102 2/25/27 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project be awarded to DLZ Ohio, Inc.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
DLZ Ohio, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004939 and expires 7/22/26.
As part of their proposal, DLZ Ohio, Inc., has proposed the following subconsultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State Contract Compliance Status
Delve Underground Columbus. Ohio MAJ
DHDC Columbus. Ohio MBE
Stone Environmental Westerville, Ohio WBE
The certification of DLZ Ohio, Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by Council on 3/31/25. This loan was approved at the OWDA July Board meeting.
The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to DLZ Ohio, Inc. for this contract. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to DLZ Ohio, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $579,553.00 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($579,553.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project; and
WHEREAS, six proposals for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project were received and opened on February 21, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended DLZ Ohio, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025 authorized this contract to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, the loan was approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their July Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds to pay for the services DLZ Ohio, Inc. provides under this 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 / 690502-100003 / Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project (OWDA Direct Loan) / $250,000.00 / $579,553.00 / $329,553.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $579,553.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the Hudson Street - Arcadia Avenue Transmission Main project, CIP No. 690502-100003, with DLZ Ohio, Inc., 6121 Huntley Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $579,553.00, 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 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 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.