Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC via the City’s Invitation For Bid Process for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100138, in an amount up to $5,914,118.01, and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $5,916,118.01.
Work consists of open-cut installation of approximately 10,006 linear feet of 6-inch, 8-inch, and 16-inch water mains, as well as the replacement of privately owned lead and galvanized water service lines, and other work as may be necessary to complete the contract, in accordance with the drawings, technical specifications, special provisions, and City of Columbus Construction and Material specifications set forth in the Invitation For Bid.
The streets include Velma Avenue Part 1, Velma Avenue Part 2, E 18th Avenue, Dora Drive, Kingry Street, 13th Avenue, North Grant Avenue, Somersworth Drive North, Somersworth Court, Cordell Avenue, East Maynard Avenue, Marcia Drive, Barry Drive, and Woodland Avenue.
The Columbus Communities are:
1. 41-Northeast
2. 44-University District
3. 45-South Linden
4. 48-Milo-Grogan
5. 49-North Central
TIMELINE:
All work shall be complete within 550 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in August of 2026. The contract will continue until construction is complete and accepted.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $5,914,118.01, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $5,914,118.01
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $5,914,118.01
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
Total $5,916,118.01
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 break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) has been contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from March 23, 2026, through April 22, 2026. Four bids were received for the project and opened on April 22, 2026. The following companies submitted bids:
Company Bid Amount
1. Driven Excavating, LLC $5,914,118.01
2. Fields Excavating, Inc. $6,321,978.08
3. Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio, Inc. $6,598,849.40
4. Danbert, Inc. $6,648,309.01
Driven Excavating, LLC's bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $5,914,118.01.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Driven Excavating, LLC’s contract compliance number is CC-033459 and expires 1/7/2028.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Driven Excavating, LLC
As part of their proposal Driven Excavating, LLC has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State Contract Compliance Status
F.E. Krocka & Associates, Inc. Shelby, OH MAJ
Oberlanders Tree & Landscape Bucyrus, Ohio MAJ
614 Drains LLC Johnstown, OH MAJ
Strawser Paving Company, Inc. Columbus, OH MAJ
CAP-STONE & Associates Inc Columbus, OH WBE
Rath Builders Supply, Inc. Defiance, OH EDGE
The certification of Driven Excavating, LLC and all proposed subcontractors were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Driven Excavating, LLC has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction 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 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/2026. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690236-100138 was not listed in that ordinance. Even though Ordinance 0341-2026 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA June Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor’s Office when this loan is approved. The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. The Department of Public Utilities will pay invoices for the work performed and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funds in the amount of $2,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, Project 690236, to pay the Department of Public Service to perform prevailing wage services for the project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC, for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program for the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $5,914,118.01 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund for the contract; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($5,916,118.01)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, four bids for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project were received and opened on April 22, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Driven Excavating, LLC; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 0341-2026 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their June Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the construction of this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services for this project; 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 enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC, for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement 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 / 690236-100138 / Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $5,914,119.00/ $5,914,119.00 (To match the loan amount)
6006 / 690236-100000 / Water Main Rehabilitation (Voted Water Carryover) / $21,544.00 / $19,544.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690236-100138 / Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That City Council authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to submit loan applications and accept loan funding for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project, and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 3. That the appropriation of $5,914,118.01, 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 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Velma Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project with Driven Excavating, LLC, 121 South Washington Ave. Crestline, Ohio 44827, in an amount up to $5,914,118.01; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $5,916,118.01, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this project per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.