Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to renew a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for general financial services.
The consultant will continue to help with cost of service study updates, cost allocation plans, user fee studies, financial research, and more. The consultant will review all fees and charges and recommend changes based on cost of service results or other calculations, and recommend the implementation of new fees if appropriate. These fees and charges may include, but are not limited to, meter service fees, system capacity fees, backflow fees, tampering/theft fees, front footage connection charges, and other permit fees.
PROCUREMENT:
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) solicited competitive bids through the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from February 15, 2023 to March 17, 2023 for general financial services in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code (RFQ024033). One (1) bid, by a majority vendor, was received. The bid was deemed responsive and was evaluated on March 20, 2023. The committee recommended that Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. be awarded the contract. The committee determined their proposal was strong because it demonstrated a full understanding of the scope of work and met the requirements of the RFP, and due to their strong project team with clear roles and responsibilities.
The term of the contract was for one-year with two renewal options, with the original contract authorized by Ordinance 1230-2023. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on availability within the budget, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
This ordinance authorizes the first renewal option for the second year of the contract and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract renewal #1 is $185,000.00. Total contract amount including this modification is $370,000.00
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds was known at the time of the initial contract and this legislation authorizes funding to cover a continuation of the consultant’s work for 2024.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: Regular procurement processes were utilized and this is the first year of two authorized renewal options.
4. How was cost determined: The renewal is based upon estimated requirements for 2024 at rates established in the existing contract.
MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM:
This contract opportunity was submitted to the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for review and assignment of an MBE/WBE goal prior to bidding. ODI determined there was not an opportunity for MBE/WBE participation in this contract and did not assign a goal. This contract was not bid with a City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal and the requirements of the City’s MBE/WBE Program are not applicable to this contract.
SUPPLIER:
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. | EIN on file| D365 Vendor #011256 | Expires 2/22/2024 |
The company does not hold MBE or WBE status.
SUBCONTRACTOR:
One Water Econ LLC | EIN on file | D365 Vendor #044761 | Expires 3/15/2025 |
The company submitted information through Columbus’ Vendor Portal to be certified as a WBE and their certification was pending at the time of award (and remains pending).
Neither the Contractor nor Subcontractor are debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$185,000.00 is budgeted and available for this contract.
This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2024 Operating Budget, Ordinance 3012-2023.
$90,074.37 was spent in 2023
$0.00 was spent in 2022
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to renew a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for general financial services; and to authorize the expenditure of $185,000.00 split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($185,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Department of Public Utilities has a need for general financial services, including cost of service study updates, cost allocation plans, user fee studies, financial research, and more; and
WHEREAS, this contract opportunity was submitted to the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for review and assignment of an MBE/WBE goal prior to bidding and ODI determined there was not an opportunity for MBE/WBE participation in this contract and did not assign a goal; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities solicited competitive bids for these services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code through RFQ024033; and
WHEREAS, One (1) bid, by a majority vendor, was received, deemed responsive, and evaluated on March 20, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended that Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. be awarded the contract after determining their proposal was strong because it demonstrated a full understanding of the scope and met the requirements of the RFP, and due to their strong project team with clear roles and responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the contract was bid as a one (1) year contract and permitted two (2) additional renewal options contingent upon mutual agreement of the parties, availability of budgeted funds, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the first renewal and second year of the contract to provide funding to the consultant to continue their tasks from year one of the contract; and
WHEREAS, Raftelis utilizes a subcontractor for some of the work under the contract and their subcontractor, One Water Econ LLC, submitted information through Columbus’ Vendor Portal to be certified as a WBE, and their certification was pending at the time of award (and remains pending); and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $185,000.00 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; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to renew a contract for general financial services with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to renew a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. 19 Garfield Pl. Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45202, for general financial services. This renewal #1 adds $185,000.00 to the contract.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $185,000.00 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.