Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with GPD Group for professional services and construction services for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project, CIP #670799-100001, in an amount up to $586,042.00.
The City of Columbus, Division of Power (DOP), intends to complete the conversion of the remaining portion of the electrical power distribution system from a 7,200 V delta configuration to a 14.4 kV grounded-wire system. The existing 7,200 V delta system consists of three circuits (Circuits 7220, 7221, and 7223) that originate from the DOP’s 14.4 kV - 7,200 V North Substation. These three circuits are to be converted to 14.4 kV by extending the existing 14.4 kV circuits in the same areas, as necessary, to serve all existing DOP customers on these 7,200 V circuits. The existing 7,200 V equipment shall be replaced as needed, including but not limited to transformers, switches, surge arresters, and other line equipment. These projects will also include circuit extensions and equipment installations to make the DOP power distribution system more robust and reliable upon project completion.
The work to be performed under the GPD contract includes project management, field survey, detailed design, preparation of construction drawings, obtaining permits necessary for the construction work, engineering services during construction, and preparation of record plan drawings.
The Community Planning Area is 99 Citywide.
TIMELINE: The term of the contract will be until the conversion work is complete and accepted by the Division of Power, which is anticipated to be eight years, ending approximately December 2031. The contract work is expected to be done in five phases as shown below:
Phase 1 - January 2024 - December 2026
Phase 2 - January 2025 - December 2027
Phase 3 - January 2026 - December 2028
Phase 4 - January 2027 - December 2029
Phase 5 - January 2028 - December 2031
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The initial contract amount will be for the Phase 1 amount of $586,042.00. Future contract modifications will be necessary for services as needs dictate. The estimated amounts needed for future contract phases and the estimated total contract amount are listed below.
Cost summary:
Phase 1 (current) $586,042.00
Phase 2 $650,000.00
Phase 3 $700,000.00
Phase 4 $750,000.00
Phase 5 $800,000.00
ESTIMATED CONTRACT TOTAL $3,486,042.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will construct a more resilient and reliable power distribution system. This will result in fewer power interruptions to the customers on these circuits, minimizing any economic impacts due to power outages.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites and opened 9/29/23. Two proposals were received:
Name C.C. No./Exp. Date City/State Status
GPD Group CC006560 5/24/2025 Columbus, OH MAJ
ms consultants CC006998 12/28/2023 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project be awarded to GPD Group.
GPD Group’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
GPD Group’s contract compliance number is CC-006560 and expires 5/24/2025. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against GPD Group.
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This contract was bid with an anticipated City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal of 10% as assigned by the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). After ODI’s review of the Utilization Plan and other related information the contractor submitted with their bid response, ODI has approved an MBE/WBE Program goal of 10% for this contract. Failure by the contractor to meet this goal subjects the contractor to the Penalties for Non-Compliance as described in the bid documents for this contract.
As part of their proposal, GPD Group has proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Resource International, Inc. Columbus, OH WBE
The certification of GPD Group and the above listed company was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $586,042.00 is available and appropriated within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303. An amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with GPD Group for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project; to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of $586,042.00 from the Electricity Bond Fund for this contract. ($586,042.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended GPD Group be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with GPD Group for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to pay for the contracted services for the project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1711-2023 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority/ Revised Authority / Change
6303 / 670896-100000 / Refugee Road Street Lights (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $730,355.00 / $544,313.00 / ($186,042.00)
6303 / 670799-100001 / Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $400,000.00 / $586,042.00 / $186,042.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $186,042.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services contract for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion, Phase I project with GPD Group, 1801 Watermark Dr., Columbus, OH 43215, in an amount up to $586,042.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $586,042.00, 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. 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 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 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 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.