Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services during construction with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements, CIP No. 690522-100001, in an amount up to $772,868.22.
This contract is for engineering consulting services for the design of state of the art SCADA system improvement for the City of Columbus water distribution system. The initial contract funding started preliminary design services, including a cybersecurity study, radio evaluation, SCADA system hardware evaluation, SCADA operating system evaluation, and graphics package upgrade evaluation. The first contract modification added funding for detailed design services. This contract modification adds funding for engineering services during construction.
Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements project serves multiple planning areas so this project is coded as “99 - Citywide”.
TIMELINE: The duration of the initial contract for Phase 1 - Preliminary Design Services is 11 months and began in February of 2023. Phase 2 - Detailed Design Services (Modification No. 1) is expected to have a duration of approximately 18 months. Phase 3 - Engineering Services during Construction (Modification No. 2) is expected to have a duration of approximately 12 months. December of 2027 is the estimated ending date of the agreement based on the total term
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $1,699,708.93
Original Contract - Preliminary Design $ 485,538.62 (ORD 0093-2023; PO369398)
Modification No. 1 - Detailed Design $1,699,708.93 (ORD 1066-2024, PO455185)
Modification No. 2 - Services during Construction $ 772,868.22 (current)
CONTRACT TOTAL $2,958,115.77
1.2. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This is a planned contract modification as stated in the original authorizing legislation under Ordinance No. 0093-2023.
1.3. How cost of modification was determined:
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. provided a proposal as requested by the City based on the scope identified in the preliminary design work of the contract. The cost was determined using existing contract job tiles, pay rates, and allowable expenses. The final cost was negotiated between the City and AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will determine the most economic approach to upgrading current SCADA system components.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
AECOM’s contract compliance number is CC-010897 and expires on 5/26/28.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against AECOM Technical Services, Inc..
As part of their proposal, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has proposed the following two subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
CDM Smith Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Advanced Engineering Consultant Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The certification of AECOM Technical Services, Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the modification was proposed.
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 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/26. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690522-100001 was not listed in that ordinance. Even though Ordinance 0341-2026 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically stating City Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance seeks City Council’s approval to apply for and accept a loan for this project. This ordinance is contingent upon upon the OWDA Board approving the loan for this project.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established for Proline Electric Inc. for this contract, Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to Proline Electric 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 modify and increase the contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Water Distribution System SCADA 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 $772,868.22 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the project. ($772,868.22)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO369398 was authorized by Ordinance No. 0093-2023, for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO445188 was authorized by Ordinance No. 1066-2024, for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed for services during construction; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify the professional engineering services contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by City Council on 3/2/26, authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) requires an ordinance to be approved by City Council specifically stating Council approves the Department of Public Utilities applying for and accepting a loan from OWDA for this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance seeks City Council’s approval to obtain a loan from OWDA for this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon OWDA approval of the loan; 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 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 modification contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements project, 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
6014 / 690522-100001 / Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $772,869.00 / $772,869.00 (To match loan)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $772,868.22, 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. 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 modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., 277 W. Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, OH 43215; for the Water Distribution System SCADA Improvements project, in an amount up to $772,868.22.
SECTION 5. That an expenditure of $772,868.22, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for this contract modification 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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.