EXPLANATION
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract, on behalf of the Facilities Management Division, with NALCO Company LLC d/b/a NALCO Water (“NALCO Water”), previously known as Barclay Water Management, for water treatment and remediation services. During the Covid-19 pandemic, occupancy levels in various facilities were significantly reduced due to remote working by employees and reduced visitation from the general public. These reduced occupancy levels drastically lowered the throughput of water through various buildings' water systems. A lower volume of water flow throughout a facility’s water system can provide an environment conducive to the growth of various water contaminants.
In response, the Facilities Management Division partnered with the Human Resources Department, Division of Occupational Safety & Health to establish a program for the safe testing, treatment and remediation of City owned water systems. NALCO Water's expertise and partnership with local health care systems, as well as their skills, equipment, and experience determined that they were best positioned to meet the City’s needs. NALCO Water is currently under contract with the Department of Finance and Management, Facilities Management Division in such capacity. While occupancy levels increased as the pandemic waned, the Facilities Management Division has determined that it is still best practice to continue with the water treatment services to safeguard the health and safety of employees and visitors.
ORD 1359-2025 authorized the current contract with NALCO Water, which expires May 31, 2026. The current contract will be expired upon final approval of this legislation. Thus, a new contract is being authorized.
This ordinance seeks authorization to enter into a contract with NALCO Company LLC d/b/a NALCO Water and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested so that these water testing, treatment, and remediation services can continue without delay to safeguard the health and wellness of City employees and visitors alike. The current contract, ORD 1359-2025, PO527223 is set to expire May 31, 2026 and the current funds will be depleted before that date.
NALCO Water, FID: 82-4607045, Vendor 053211, CC pending
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $294,377.11 from the General Fund for the contract with NALCO Water for the treatment and remediation of various building water systems under the purview of the Facilities Management Division.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with NALCO Company LLC d/b/a NALCO Water for the treatment and remediation of water systems under the purview of the Facilities Management Division; to authorize the expenditure of $294,377.11 within the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($294,377.11)
Body
WHEREAS, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, occupancy levels in various facilities have been lowered due to remote working by employees and reduced visitation from the general public; and
WHEREAS, these reduced occupancy levels lowered the throughput of water through various building’s water systems, which can create an environment conducive to the growth of various water contaminants; and
WHEREAS, NALCO Company LLC d/b/a NALCO Water (“NALCO Water”), previously known as Barclay Water Management, is currently under contract with the Department of Finance and Management, Facilities Management Division, and they have the necessary expertise to conduct these continued water treatment and remediation services; and
WHEREAS, the continued testing, treatment, and remediation will ensure a safe and healthy water supply to various buildings, thus ensuring the health and safety of City employees and visitors; and
WHEREAS, a waiver of the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 Columbus City Code is in the best interest of the City because NALCO Water has the expertise to conduct these water treatment and remediation services, is currently under contract with the Department of Finance, Facilities Management Division in such capacity, and due to NALCO Water's expertise and partnership with local healthcare systems, as well as their skills, equipment, and experience, the Facilities Management Division determined that they are best positioned to meet the City’s needs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Finance and Management Department, Facilities Management Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract with NALCO Water, so that water testing, treatment, and remediation services can continue without delay to safeguard the health and wellness of City employees and visitors alike, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a contract, on behalf of the Facilities Management Division, with NALCO Company LLC d/b/a NALCO Water.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $294,377.11, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the General Fund 1000, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, and such are hereby waived, to enter into the contract authorized herein.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.