Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc. and Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. (EMH&T) through the City’s Request for Proposal process for the General Engineering Services 2026-2028 Water Distribution Engineering project, CIP 690528-100005, in an amount up to $500,000.00 each, for a total amount of up to $1,000,000.00.
These projects will provide general engineering services to the Division of Water, Water Distribution Engineering section, on an “as-needed” basis. Work items will consist of field investigations, surveying, professional design services necessary for the completion of a design report, plans and specifications, and engineering services during construction as it relates to various water distribution and facility projects.
This work will primarily be performed in Columbus Community Area 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE & FUTURE MODIFICATIONS
This contract will have a three-year assignment window to add tasks. New tasks will not be assigned after the three-year assignment window. Tasks assigned during that window will continue to be funded until they are completed and accepted by the City. This contract is expected to be modified to add funding as needed over the term of the contract.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT
The initial contract amount for each company is to be $500,000.00, for a total contract amount of $1,000,000.00 for the first year. It is anticipated that the expenditure during the term of the two contracts could total $3,000,000.00 as shown below:
Cost summary (DLZ Ohio, Inc.):
Original Contract $500,000.00
Future Modification #1 $500,000.00
Future Modification #2 $500,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $1,500,000.00
Cost summary (EMH&T):
Original Contract $500,000.00
Future Modification #1 $500,000.00
Future Modification #2 $500,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $1,500,000.00
Total for Both Contracts: $3,000,000.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The contract is for general engineering services. The total economic impact is expected to be $3,000,000.00 of surveying and engineering services from the capital budget over three years. This will allow the Division of Water to perform miscellaneous engineering tasks on an as-needed basis. Outreach and environmental impact is unknown since the exact type and location of work is unknown at this time.
3. PROCUREMENT
The Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 11/21/2025 through 12/19/2025 in order to solicit proposals for General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering contracts with the intention of awarding contracts to two companies. Proposals were received from the following companies:
|
Name |
CC No. |
Exp. Date |
City/State |
Status |
|
EMH&T |
CC004214 |
10/17/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
DLZ Ohio, Inc. |
CC004939 |
1/22/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Moody Engineering |
CC012301 |
5/1/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Dynotec, Inc. |
CC005053 |
2/12/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Ribway Engineering Group, Inc. |
CC005279 |
11/21/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Resource Intl. |
CC004197 |
1/30/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
WBE |
|
Osborn Engineering |
CC006417 |
10/12/2025 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
All proposals were considered responsive and were evaluated by the evaluation committee. The two companies with proposals scored the highest by the evaluation committee will be offered contracts if City Council approves. Those two companies (in score order) are EMH&T and DLZ Ohio, Inc.
As part of their proposal, EMH&T proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Tri-Tech Associates, Inc. Dayton MAJ
GCI Engineering Westerville MAJ
National Engineering & Architectural Services Columbus MBE
The Collaborative + Acock Columbus MAJ
As part of their proposal, DLZ Ohio, Inc proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Wade Trim Columbus MAJ
DHDC Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. Columbus MBE
The certifications of EMH&T, DLZ Ohio, Inc., GCI Engineering, The Collaborative + Acock, Wade Trim, and DHDC were in good standing at the time the proposal was awarded. Tri-Tech Associates and National Engineering & Architectural Services certifications were not in good standing at the time of the proposal due to contract compliance issues. The companies will need to become contract compliant or removed from the contract prior to contract execution.
4. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The contract is for general engineering services. The total economic impact is $3,000,000.00 of surveying and engineering services from the capital budget. This will allow the Division of Water to perform miscellaneous engineering tasks on an as-needed basis. Outreach and environmental impact is unknown since the exact type and location of work is unknown at this time.
5. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
DLZ Ohio, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004939 and expires 7/22/2026.
EMH&T’s contract compliance number is CC004214 and expires 10/17/2027.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) did not reveal any exclusions for either.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper projects. A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper projects.
7. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested for this ordinance. Design is needed immediately for some tasks waiting to be assigned to this contract to ensure continued uninterrupted water supply for residents.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for general engineering services with DLZ Ohio, Inc., and with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc.; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contracts; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need for engineering services for small water projects and for unplanned water needs; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals for the General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering project; and
WHEREAS, DLZ Ohio, Inc., and Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. are the two firms selected by the evaluation committee to provide these services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc., and with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc., for the General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering project to provide the needed services; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund to align cash and appropriation with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended to pay for the general engineering services that DLZ Ohio, Inc., and Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. will provide under the General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering contracts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into professional services contracts with DLZ Ohio, Inc. and Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. (EMH&T) for the General Engineering Services 2026-2028 Water Distribution Engineering project, CIP 690528-100005, as design is needed immediately for some tasks waiting to be assigned to this contract to ensure continued uninterrupted water supply for residents, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and 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
6006 / 690278-100000 / DRWP Miscellaneous Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $161,000.00 / $624,562.00 / $463,562.00 (To match Cash)
6006 / 690528-100005 / General Engineering Services 2026-2028 Water Distribution Engineering (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $443,040.00 / $443,040.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690291-100000 / PAWP Facility Misc. Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $36,178.00 / $119,748.00 / $83,570.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690278-100000 / DRWP Miscellaneous Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $463,562.00 / $0.00 / ($463,562.00)
6006 / 690291-100000 / PAWP Facility Misc. Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $119,748.00 / $26,350.00 / ($93,398.00)
6006 / 690528-100005 / General Engineering Services 2026-2028 Water Distribution Engineering (Voted Water Carryover) / $443,040.00 / $1,000,000 / $556,960.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of up to $556,960.55 is authorized between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc., 6121 Huntley Rd, Columbus, OH 43229, for General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering project, in an amount up to $500,000.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc., 5500 New Albany Road, Columbus, OH 43054, for General Engineering Services 2026-2028 - Water Distribution Engineering project, in an amount up to $500,000.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 in the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 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 9. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.