Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services during construction with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & DeHaven, Inc. dba GPD Group for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements Project, CIP #670608-100015, in an amount up to $1,153,133.82 for the Division of Power.
The 69-2 Circuit Improvements project will upgrade a 50-year old transmission circuit. This circuit is 9.7 miles long and stretches from our Southerly Substation to our Jackson Pike Substation. Some of the line has already been upgraded but 8.3 miles of this circuit still need to be reconductored with newer, larger wire to extend the useful life of this circuit and to provide additional capacity for increased current from a planned solar field.
The contract scope of work includes project management, field survey, detailed design, preparation of construction drawings, obtaining permits necessary for the work, engineering services during construction, and preparation of record plan drawings. An assessment of the existing circuit infrastructure will also be performed to include poles, lightning arrestors, and anything deemed necessary to meet National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements and proper transmission pole line design.
This project spans across three Columbus Communities: “64 – Far South”, “63 – South Side”, and “59 – Southwest”.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $1,153,133.82
Original Contract $ 1,526,280.03 (PO431813, ORD 3200-2023)
Contract Modification #1 $ 1,153,133.82 (Current)
Future Contract Modification #2 $ 1,000,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 3,679,413.85
1.2. Reason other procurement processes are not used
This is the first of two planned contract modifications to add funding for continued work as stated in Ordinance 3200-2023.
1.3. How cost of modification was determined
Costs are based upon existing contract hourly titles, pay rates, allowable expenses, and an estimate of what is needed to complete the scope of work.
1.4. Timeline
There is no change in the estimated timeline at this time. The contract started in early 2024 and is estimated to end in 2030. The actual contract end date will be when construction services during construction are no longer needed for this project.
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 this circuit, reducing economic impacts due to power outages. The improvements to this circuit will allow a reliable path for power to be transmitted from solar fields on the south end of Columbus to the core Division of Power service territory.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
GPD Group’s contract compliance number is CC006560 and expires 6/23/2027.
As part of their proposal, GPD Group has proposed that no subcontractors will be use to perform contract work.
The certification of GPD Group was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is budgeted, available, and appropriated within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. Cash and appropriation need to be transferred between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and increase the contract with GPD Group for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements Project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation within the Electricity Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,153,133.82 within the Electricity Bond Fund to pay for the contract modification. ($1,153,133.82)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO431813 was authorized by Ordinance 3200-2023 for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed to add funding for continued engineering services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify the professional engineering services agreement with GPD Group for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed 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 expend funds from the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to pay for the contract modification; 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
6303 / 670868 - 100000 / General Engineering Services – Power (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $792,248.00 / $456,504.00 / ($335,744.00) (To match cash)
6303 / 670901 - 100002 / Jackson Pike Substation Subsurface Investigation (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0 / $335,744.00 / $335,744.00 (To match cash)
6303 / 670868 - 100000 / General Engineering Services – Power (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $456,504.00 / $0.00 / ($456,504.00)
6303 / 670860 - 100000 / Morningstar & North Forty Street Lighting (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $54,908.00 / $0.00/ ($54,908.00)
6303 / 670878 - 100002 / SMART Street Lighting (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $3,072,489.00 / $2,430,767.00 / ($641,722.00)
6303 / 670608 – 100015 / 69-2 Circuit Improvements (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,153,134.00 / $1,153,134.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $1,153,133.82.00, so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects between within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with GPD Group., 1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio 43215; for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project, in an amount up to $1,153,133.82.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure of $1,153,133.82, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to pay for this contract modification 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.