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File #: 3137-2025    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Second Reading
File created: 11/12/2025 In control: Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee
On agenda: 12/15/2025 Final action:
Title: To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned professional services contract modification for the Overall Engineering Services contract with MS Consultants, Inc., and to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contract. ($1,000,000.00)
Indexes: MBE Participation, WBE Participation
Attachments: 1. ORD 3137-2025 Accounting Template Mod 2, 2. ORD 3137-2025 Schedule 2A-1 Utilization Reporting Form 690617-100000 Mod 2, 3. ORD 3137-2025 SOS.pdf

Explanation

1.  BACKGROUND

This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities (DPU) to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services during construction with MS Consultants, Inc. for the Overall Engineering Services (OES) contract, CIP #690617-100000, in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 for Division of Water Contract No. 2428.

 

This contract provides a variety of task order-based professional services to meet the capital improvement needs for the Division of Water’s facilities, supplementing existing engineering personnel within the Division of Water (DOW) on an as-authorized, as-needed basis. Services performed to date include: groundwater modeling and alternatives evaluation of the Parsons Avenue Water Plant (PAWP) well field and recommendations for future water supply; constructability and technical review services for the Fourth Water Plant Electrical Substation; an evaluation and study on the future site needs for the 940/910 Dublin Road Utilities Complex and 3500 and 3568 Indianola Avenue Complexes;  constructability and technical review services for the Fourth Water Plant Site Preparation Package; continuing with the previous study assessment of the DPU Facilities Future Site Needs recommending the combining of all facilities at one complex; assisting on addressing requirements for the Lead Service Line Inventory requirements of the Lead Copper Rule Revision; restoration of Land Stewardship Survey Markers; interim carbon studies including Powder Activated Carbon and filter media recharge; developing a long-term plan for watershed encroachments along with addressing erosion; and evaluating ozone operation at the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) and exploring increasing ozone demand.

 

Future phasing tasks of the contract continue to be developed but anticipated services include: Continuing with previous study assessment of the DPU Facilities Future Site Needs recommending the combining of all facilities at one complex; Engineering services supporting DOW with planning, analysis, and investigations; Evaluation beneficial reuse options for PAWP residuals; Evaluation and recommendation for invasive species in select source waters for the Division of Water and recommended protection measures; Assisting the City in regulatory and grants issues; in negotiations with regulatory agencies concerned with permit requirements; support and enhancements of the Division’s Master Plan; program planning, engineering coordination, design reviews and other general and additional services as directed by the City; As required, provide services around the clock (24/7) or at outdoor remote locations to address DOW needs; and other services required by the Division.

 

The planning area = “99-Citywide”

 

1.1                     Amount of additional funds to be expended:  $1,000,000.00

The amount of the initial contract and the anticipated future contract renewals is listed below.

 

Cost summary (MS Consultants, Inc.):

Original Contract                                                                                         $1,000,000.00 (ORD 3204-2023; PO422877)

Modification #1                                                                                                                  $1,000,000.00 (ORD 0954-2024; PO460419)

Modification #2                                                                                                                  $1,000,000.00 (Current)                                                                                                         

CONTRACT TOTAL                                                                                         $3,000,000.00

 

1.2. Reason other procurement processes are not used: 

This contract was awarded under the City RFP process and expected to use two planned contract modifications to add funding as needed.  This is the second of the two planned contract funding modifications. 

 

1.3. How cost of modification was determined:

The funding being added is an estimate of the amount needed over the upcoming year.  Once tasks are assigned to this contract, the consultant is able to develop a work breakdown structure for each task.  The fee for each task is then negotiated between MS Consultants, Inc. and DOW project managers based upon the existing contract job titles, hourly rates of pay for each title, and allowable expenses.

 

2.  ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT

This contract will assist the Division of Water with planning and evaluating various capital improvements that, if implemented, will have positive economic impacts on the Central Ohio area. At this time no community outreach or input is anticipated.

 

The selected team has allocated sustainability-focused professionals with expertise in energy efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency who can incorporate City’s initiatives and opportunities to provide energy efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency elements to OES tasks as applicable.

 

3.  CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION

MS Consultants, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC006998 and expires 12/1/2025.

 

As part of their proposal, MS Consultants, Inc., anticipates the following subcontractors will perform contract work:

 

Company Name                                           City/State                       ODI Certification Status

Arcadis, U.S. Inc.                                                                        Columbus                                                                            MAJ

Coldwater Consulting, LLC.                                                   Columbus                                                                                    WBE                     

DHDC Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. Columbus                                                                                    MBE

Dynotec, Inc.                                                                                             Columbus                                                                                    MBE

Eagon & Associates, Inc.                                                    Columbus                                                                            MAJ

Hazen and Sawyer                                                                        Columbus                                                                            MAJ

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.                                                    Columbus                                                                            MAJ

Moody Nolan, Inc.                                                                        Columbus                                                                            MBE

Raftelis                                                                                                                  Cincinnati                                                                                    MAJ

Stone Environmental Engineering                              Columbus                                                                           WBE

 

The certifications of MS Consultants, Inc., and the above subcontractors were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.

 

 4.  FISCAL IMPACT

Funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. 

 

Title

To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned professional services contract modification for the Overall Engineering Services contract with MS Consultants, Inc., and to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contract. ($1,000,000.00)

 

Body

WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Overall Engineering Services (OES) Project; and

 

WHEREAS, Contract No. PO422877 was authorized by Ordinance 3204-2023, for the Overall Engineering Services (OES) Project; and

 

WHEREAS, Contract No. PO460419 was authorized by Ordinance 0954-2024, for the Overall Engineering Services (OES) Project modification 1; and

 

WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed to add funding for tasks anticipated to be added to the contract over the next year; and

 

WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify the professional engineering services contract with MS Consultants, Inc. for Overall Engineering Services (OES); and

 

WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay for the contract modification; 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 enter into a contract modification with MS Consultants, Inc., 2221 Schrock Road, Columbus, OH 43229, for the Overall Engineering Services contract, in an amount up to $1,000,000.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities.

 

SECTION 2.  That the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.

 

SECTION 3.  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 4.  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 5.  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 6.  That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.