Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with Gresham Smith dba GS-OH Inc. via the City’s Request for Proposal process for the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements, CIP 690236-100173, in an amount up to $417,830.85.
The project consists of necessary improvements to the water distribution system in the Bulen Road Area. The improvements identified in the scope of work will replace or rehabilitate water lines that have high break histories and require frequent maintenance. Project includes replacing or rehabilitating approximately 10,545 linear feet of 2-inch and 8-inch water lines, transferring existing services, and replacing private lead service lines. The streets include Reinhard Avenue, Rhoads Avenue, Kent Street, the 1st Alley West of Fairwood Avenue, Bulen Avenue, the 1st Alley South of East Livingston Avenue, East Columbus Street, Wagner Street, East Kossuth Street, Ellsworth Avenue, East Beck Street, Franklin Avenue, Kelton Avenue, Bryden Road, East Rich Street, and Bryden Alley.
This project is located within the Community Areas, 19 - Near East and 22- Near South
TIMELINE: The duration of the design phase for this project is fourteen (14) months. It is estimated that the end of this agreement will occur in September 2027.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $417,830.85, including a 15% design contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, design exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $417,830.85
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $417,830.85
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The project goal is to improve water service for residents in target areas by decreasing water interruptions due to breakages in water lines. Replacing or rehabilitating the existing water lines that have a high break frequency. The project also aims to lessen the workload of the maintenance/operation team concerning the water line in identified areas.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from January 9, 2026, through February 6, 2026. Five proposals were received:
Name C.C. No./Exp. Date City/State Status
E.P. Ferris and Associates, Inc. CC004823 /5/1/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
Gresham Smith CC009789 /1/23/2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
T&M Associates CC001614 / 3/10/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ
DLZ Ohio, Inc. CC004939 / 7/22/2026 Columbus, OH MBE
Moody Engineering CC012301/ 5/1/2027 Columbus, OH MBE
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements project be awarded to GS-OH.
GS-OH Inc. certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Gresham Smith dba GS-OH Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC009789 and has expired 1/23/2026. Contract compliance number will need to be updated prior to execution of contract.
As part of their proposal, Gresham Smith dba GS-OH has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
CAD Concepts Inc. Columbus, Ohio WBE
MS Consultants Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Arbor Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The certification of GS-OH Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. 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 May 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 GS-OH for this contract, Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to GS-OH 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 for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a design contract with GS-OH Inc. for the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements 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 $417,830.85 from the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($417,830.85)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, five proposals for the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements project were received and opened on February 6, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended GS-OH Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by City Council on 3/31/25, 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 May 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, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; 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 has become necessary in the usual daily operation to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter an engineering contract with GS-OH Inc. for the Bulen Road 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 / 690236-100173 / Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $300,000.00 / $417,831.00 / $117,831.00 (To match loan)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $417,830.85, 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 the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Bulen Road Area Water Line Improvements with GS-OH Inc., 10 West Broad St, Suite 1650 Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215, in an amount up to $417,830.85 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $417,830.85, 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.