Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services with GPD Group. for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Phase 3 Project, CIP #670799-100003, in an amount up to $1,435,327.00 for the Division of Power.
The City of Columbus, Division of Power (DOP) intends to complete the ongoing effort to eliminate the remaining portion of the distribution system based on a 7,200 Volt (V) delta configuration by converting to a 14.4 Kilovolt (kV) grounded-wye system. The existing 7,200 Volt 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 this contract modification includes project management, field survey, detailed design, preparation of construction drawings, obtaining any permits necessary for the work, engineering services during construction, and preparation of record plan drawings.
Phases 1 and 2 of the CIP 7221 Voltage Conversion Project are currently in design, with 90% design work completed for Phase 1 and 60% completed for Phase 2. This is the second of the four (4) planned contract modifications to add funding to perform similar engineering work for Phase 3. Phases 4 and 5 will be addressed under future planned contract modifications. DOP expects to issue a future Request for Proposals to select an Engineer to perform the engineering work on Circuits 7220 and 7223.
This project spans across multiple planning areas throughout the city including:
33 - Rocky Fork/Blacklick 35 - Northland
39 - Clintonville 40 - North Linden
41 - Northeast 45 - South Linden
44 - University District 66 - State of Ohio
.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $1,435,327.00
Cost summary:
Original Contract (ORD 3163-2023; PO431802) $586,042.00
Phase 2 (ORD 2056-2024; PO469150) $1,142,148.00
Phase 3 (Current) $1,435,327.00
Phase 4 (Future) $1,320,000.00
Phase 5 (Future) $1,410,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $5,893,517.00
1.2 Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This contract was awarded through the City’s Request for Proposal process for engineering services through the completion of the construction of the project. Planned contract modifications were anticipated to add funds for stages of design. This is one of those planned contract modifications so a new procurement process is not required.
1.3 How cost of modification was determined:
The fee was negotiated based upon existing contract job titles, rates of pay, and allowable expenses.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project replacing as needed transformers, switches, surge arresters, and other line equipment will construct a more resilient and reliable power distribution system. Which will result in fewer power interruptions to the customers on these circuits which will minimize any economic impacts due to power outages.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
GPD Group’s contract compliance number is CC-006560 and expires 6/23/2027.
As part of their proposal, GPD Group proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Dynotec, Inc. Columbus, OH MBE
The certifications of GPD Group and the above listed company were in good standing at the time of the contract modification.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,435,327.00 is available and appropriated within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303. The 2025 Capital Improvement must be modified 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 modify and increase the contract with GPD Group for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Phase 3 Project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,435,327.00 from the Electricity Bond Fund to pay for the contract modification. ($1,435,327.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO431802 was authorized by Ordinance No. 3163-2023 for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Phase 1 Project; and
WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed to fund the next phase of 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 Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Project for the purpose of adding funds to continue work on the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget 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 in the daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to expend funds from the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to pay for the contract renewal; 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
6303 / 670774-100000 / Conversion to 3 Wire (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $1,003,148.00 / $1,007,099.00 / $3,951.00 (to match cash)
6303 / 670830-100000 / Oil Switch Replacement Program (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $17,792.00 / $193,758.00 / $175,966.00 (to match cash)
6303 / 670895-100000 / Noe-Bixby Road Street Lights (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0.00 / $83,843.00 / $83,843.00 (to match cash)
6303 / 670774-100000 / Conversion to 3 Wire (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $1,007,099.00 / 0.00 / ($1,007,099.00)
6303 / 670830-100000 / Oil Switch Replacement Program (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $193,758.00 / $0.00 / ($193,758.00)
6303 / 670895-100000 / Noe-Bixby Road Street Lights (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $83,843.00 / $0.00 / ($83,843.00)
6303 / 670907-100000 / Furnace Substation- 138kV Interconnection / (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $142,006.00 / $0.00 / ($142,006.00)
6303 / 670885-100000 / Cable Test Equipment (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $8,695.00 / $74.00 / ($8,621.00)
6303 / 670799-100003 / Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion Phase 3 / (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,435,327.00 / $1,435,327.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $1,435,327.00, or 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 Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with GPD Group, 1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43215; for the Circuit 7221 Voltage Conversion project, in an amount up to $1,435,327.00.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure of $1,435,327.00, 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. 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.