Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC, for the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100126, in an amount up to $5,216,087.52; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $5,218,087.52.
Work consists of open-cut installation of approximately 9,153 linear feet of 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch water mains, connecting to existing water taps, as well as the replacement of privately owned lead and galvanized water service lines, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract.
The streets include Sawmill Place Boulevard, Bent Tree Boulevard, Fairway Court, Evansdale Road, Rowanne Court, Kenny Road, Francisco Place, Francisco Court, Wynwood Court, Widner Court, Pebble Lane, Reymond Court, Kendale Court, Cape Cod Lane, and Dory Lane.
The Columbus Communities are; 31-Far Northwest and 34-Northwest.
TIMELINE: All work shall be complete within 550 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in April 2026.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $5,216,087.52, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $ 5,216,087.52
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 5,216,087.52
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
$ 5,218,087.52
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace or rehabilitate the existing water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) has been contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from November 21, 2025, through December 17, 2025. Six bids were received:
Name Bid Amount
Driven Excavating, LLC $5,216,087.52
Underground Utilities, Inc. $5,759,890.40
Shelly and Sands, Inc. $6,134,530.32
Danbert Inc. $6,184,235.43
JLD Construction Services, LLC. $6,196,727.24
Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio, Inc. $6,737,716.70
The lowest bid was deemed responsive and responsible. Driven Excavating, LLC’s certification was in good standing at the time of the bid award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Driven Excavating, LLC’s contract compliance number is CC-033459 and expires 1/7/2028.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Driven Excavating, LLC.
As part of their proposal, Driven Excavating, LLC has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State
F.E. Krocka & Associates Gamble, OH
Strawser Paving Company Columbus, OH
The certifications of all subcontractors were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Driven Excavating, LLC has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by Council on 3/31/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA March Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established for Driven Excavating, LLC for these contracts. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to Driven Excavating, LLC 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 for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is budgeted, appropriated, and available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC, for the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $5,216,087.52 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($5,218,087.52)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, six bids for the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project were received and opened on December 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, most responsive, responsible, and best bid was from Driven Excavating, LLC; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025 authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their March Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Driven Excavating, LLC for the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project, and to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for the contract; 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
6014 / 690236-100126 / Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $4,450,000.00 / $5,216,088.00 / $766,088.00 (to match loan)
6006 / 690236-100000 / Water Main Rehabilitation / $106,544.00 / $104,544.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690236-100126 / Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $5,216,087.52, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Sawmill Place Boulevard Area Water Line Improvements project with Driven Excavating, LLC, 121 South Washington Ave, Crestline, Ohio 44827, in an amount up to $5,216,087.52; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary construction administration and inspection services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $5,216,087.52, 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 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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.