Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Sodium Chloride with Morton Salt, Inc. The Division of Water is the sole user for this type of Sodium Chloride, used as an ion exchange agent for potable water at the Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant. The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately one year, expiring 7/31/27, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on April 23, 2026. In addition, the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding (Request for Quotation No. RFQ032485). One (1) bid was received.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder as follows:
Morton Salt, Inc., CC# 048347 expires 2/17/28, All Items, $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $410,000, Division of Water, the sole user
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation to be considered an emergency ordinance because the current contract will expire 7/31/26.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693. The Division of Water will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Sodium Chloride with Morton Salt, Inc.; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Sodium Chloride UTC will provide for the purchase of sodium chloride used as an ion exchange agent at the Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on April 23, 2026 and selected the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Water and Power in that in order to ensure a uninterrupted supply it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to immediately enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Sodium Chloride, as the current contract will expire July 31, 2026, 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 Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to enter into the following contract for the option to purchase Sodium Chloride in accordance with Request for Quotation RFQ032485 for a term of approximately one year, expiring July 31, 2027, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof, as follows:
Morton Salt, Inc., All Items, $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693 of this ordinance to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reason stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.