Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with CDM Smith Inc. via the City’s Request for Proposal process for the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4, CIP 650348-100006, in an amount up to $750,000.00.
This program will support the 100s of deployed Programmable Logic Controllers, remote site connections, licensed and unlicensed radio communications systems, fiber connections, servers, network switches, hardwired connections, and instruments that make up the plant wide and system wide process control systems. Work will include troubleshooting, software updates, City staff training, capital and operating project support and technical review, and system architecture planning support.
Community Planning Area: 99 - Citywide
TIMELINE: The contract is expected to begin in August 2026 and receive annual renewals for 4 years. The contract will be authorized to begin new tasks through August of 2030 at which point all remaining tasks will be pushed to completion as the next iteration of this program is advertised.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The proposed award amount is $750,000.00, that will be allocated on a task basis to support the various independent and interconnected control systems located at the various remote sites and major treatment facilities managed by DWR. Three contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, further modification of this contract may be required, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $ 750,000.00
Future Mod 1 $ 750,000.00
Future Mod 2 $ 750,000.00
Future Mod 3 $ 750,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 3,000,000.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The project is essential for the continued successful operation of the City’s water reclamation plants. The consulting team is available 24/7 to support our facilities where major system interruptions could result in significant environmental impact to local waterways and residential/commercial properties. Unexpected technical issues with the complex treatment system may exceed the capabilities of the on-staff operations support team. These impacts would result in fines and potential litigation against the City. No community outreach was completed for this program as it is an essential continuation of an existing program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from February 5, 2026, through March 13, 2026. Two proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State Status
CDM Smith Inc. CC000180 10/2/26 Columbus/OH MAJ
Inframark dba Dmytryka Jacobs Engineers Inc CC006846 3/14/27 Columbus/OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4 project be awarded to CDM Smith Inc.
CDM Smith Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
CDM Smith Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC000180 and expires 10/2/26.
As part of their proposal, CDM Smith Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Brown and Caldwell Columbus, Ohio MAJ
CAD Concepts Inc Columbus, Ohio WBE
Emerging Technology Integrators, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MBE
Rovisys Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The certification of CDM Smith Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/26. This loan is expected to be approved at the June OWDA Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application.
The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to CDM Smith Inc. for this contract. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to CDM Smith Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6124.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a design contract with CDM Smith Inc. for the Water Reclamation Facilities Instrumentation and Control Integration and Programming Team Part 4 project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $750,000.00 from the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4 project; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4 project were received and opened on March 13, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended CDM Smith Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized Department of Public Utilities projects to be funded by loans obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the amount of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6124; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with CDM Smith Inc. for the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4 project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to expend funds of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed to pay for the services CDM Smith Inc. provides under this contract; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements 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
6124 / 650348-100006 / WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4 (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $750,000.00 / $750,000.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6124, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the WWTFS Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Integration and Programming Team Part 4, CIP 650348-100006 with CDM Smith Inc., 300 East Broad Street, Suite 500, Columbus, Ohio 43215; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $750,000.00, 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 6. 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 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 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.