Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into two Indefinite Quantity Contracts with Ironsite, Inc. and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for services associated with the Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project. The City of Columbus is committed to investing in green infrastructure. As part of this commitment, the City has built a number of bio-retention basins in the right-of-way and/or on City owned property.
A bioretention basin consists of a soil bed planted with vegetation located above a gravel layer with an underdrain. Stormwater runoff entering the bioretention facility is filtered first through the vegetation and then the soil bed before being conveyed downstream through the underdrain system, slowing the runoff velocity and treating stormwater runoff by absorption, decomposition, and filtration. Bioretention facilities are often sited adjacent to and used to treat runoff from paved surfaces such as parking lots. Bioretention basins improve water quality through: soil and media filtration, stormwater detention, natural evapotranspiration, and biological uptake of water and nutrients. Stormwater can be conveyed to bioretention facilities via sheet flow, channelization, curb cuts, inlets, or conveyance systems.
The City is currently responsible for the maintenance of 62 Facilities with 1,061 basins and wetlands. These facilities are located in Clintonville, Linden, Eastmoor, American Addition, Southwest Columbus, Blacklick, Hilltop, the South Side, Dublin, Reynoldsburg, Easton, Barthman Parsons, West Town Street/US 62, 2nd Street, River South Roadways West Rich Street, West Main Street Riversouth, West Broad St. at Starling Street, Hoover Reservoir, 910 Dublin Road, Dublin Road Water Plant, Griggs Reservoir, O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, Mound Street Booster Station and the Smoky Row Booster Station. Each facility and location may have multiple sites with basins, swales or other types of green infrastructure. Additional facilities may be added in the future.
Ironsite, Inc. and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC will coordinate with Stormwater and Regulatory Management Section (SRMS) staff when performing inspection and maintenance at the basins.
The Department of Public Utilities publicly advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 329 of Columbus City Code (RFQ025742). Thirty-one (31) vendors (1-EBE/WBE, 26-MAJ, 3-MBE, 1-WBE) were solicited and two (1-EBE/WBE and 1 MAJ) bids were received and opened on September 13, 2023.
After a review of the bids, the Department of Public Utilities recommends awarding contracts to Ironsite, Inc. for Group 1 and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for Groups 2 and 3 as the lowest responsive, responsible and best bidders.
The contracts will be for a period of one (1) year from the date of execution up to and including November 30, 2024. The contract language allows for the option to renew annually for two (2) additional years based on mutual agreement, availability of budgeted funds and approval by City Council. Future modifications will be required to incorporate additional green infrastructures into this contract as facilities are constructed and turned over to the City for maintenance.
At this time, there is knowledge of several other basins coming online over the next several years with increased participation in Blueprint Columbus. The Division of Water and the Division of Transportation have added several sites to this contract and may add additional sites in the near future. All Transportation projects that have storm sewer features such as bio-basins will be maintained by the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
SUPPLIERS:
Ironsite, Inc., vendor #005926, EBE/WBE status, expires 7/16/25
Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC, vendor #005742, majority status, expires 3/31/25
The companies are not 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: $283,000.00 is budgeted and needed for this purchase. This funding is estimated to cover the necessary work from the date of execution to and including November 30, 2024.
$309,246.71 was spent in 2022
$245,653.47 was spent in 2021
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into contracts with Ironsite, Inc. and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for the Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project; and to authorize the expenditure of $105,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund and $178,000.00 from the Stormwater Operating Fund. ($283,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is committed to investing in green infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, as part of this commitment, the City has built a number of bio-retention basins in the right-of-way and/or on city owned property; and
WHEREAS, a need exists in the Department of Public Utilities for Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project services to maintain and service the basins; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities solicited bids for the Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project services (RFQ025742); and
WHEREAS, two bids were received and opened by the Director of Public Utilities on September 13, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Sewerage and Drainage recommends an award be made to the lowest responsive, responsible and best bidders, Ironsite, Inc. for Group 1 and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for Groups 2 and 3, and to enter into contracts; and
WHEREAS, the contracts will be in effect from the date of execution up to and including November 30, 2024 and upon mutual agreement of the parties, availability of funds, and approval by the Columbus City Council, this contract can be renewed for two additional one year periods; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director to enter into an Indefinite Quantity Agreement Contracts with Ironsite, Inc. and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for the Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be, and is hereby, authorized to enter into Indefinite Quantity Agreement Contracts with Ironsite, Inc. and Watershed Organic Lawn Care LLC for the Green Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance Project in accordance with the terms and conditions of RFQ025742 on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 2. That this agreement will be in effect from the date of execution up to and including November 30, 2024 and upon mutual agreement, funds availability, and approval by the Columbus City Council this contract can be renewed for two additional one year periods.
SECTION 3. That said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $16,000.00 in Object Class 02 Materials and Supplies ($13,000.00 in fund 6200 Stormwater Operating and $3,000.00 in Fund 6000 Water Operating) and $267,000.00 in Object Class 03 Services ($165,000.00 in Fund 6200 Stormwater Operating and $102,000.00 in Fund 6000 Water Operating) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.