Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc., dba GPD Group via the City’s Request for Proposal process for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100194, in an amount up to $400,470.25.
This project provides for the construction of approximately 5,650 LF of new 12-inch water main to interconnect existing segments in the Polaris area, as well as the repair, replacement, and addition of new main line valves on existing water mains. The streets include East Powell Road, South Old State Road, Polaris Parkway, Antares Avenue, Gemini Parkway, Sancus Boulevard, Lyra Drive, and Holt Road.
This project is located within Community Planning Area: 32-Far North
TIMELINE: The duration of the design phase for this project is 13 months. However, the contract will continue until construction is complete and accepted.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The proposed award amount is $400,470.25, including a 10% 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 $400,470.25
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $400,470.25
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will interconnect segments of the existing water distribution system, repair and replace existing mainline valves, and add new mainline valves. These improvements will enhance water service reliability, reduce the operational burden on maintenance crews, and help minimize water loss. Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be notified and kept informed throughout the design phase, and additional community outreach may be conducted through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from February 12, 2026, through March 20, 2026. Eight proposals were received:
Name C.C. No./Exp. Date City/State Status
Stantec Consulting Services CC000462/7-01-2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
AECOM CC010897/5-28-2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
Osborn Engineering CC006417/10-12-2025 Columbus, OH MAJ
GPD Group CC006560/6-23-2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
Prime AE Group CC002102/2-25-2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
Ribway Engineering Group CC005279/11-21-2026 Columbus, OH MBE
Civil and Environmental Consultants CC001963/6-11-2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
T&M Associates CC001614/3-10-2028 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project be awarded to GPD Group.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc., dba GPD Group, contract compliance number is CC-006560 and expires 6/23/2027.
As part of their proposal, Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Moody Engineering Columbus, Ohio MBE
The certification of GPD Group and the above company were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the 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 3/2/2026. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690236-100194 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 listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA June Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor’s Office when this loan is approved. The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. The Department of Public Utilities will pay invoices for the work performed and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
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 Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc. for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program for the Polaris 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; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $400,470.25 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($400,470.25)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Eight proposals for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project were received and opened on March 20, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc., dba GPD Group, be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by City Council on 3/2/2026, authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements Project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 0341-2026 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; 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 June 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 has become necessary in the usual daily operation to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter an engineering contract with GPD Group for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project; 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 / 690236-100194 / Polaris Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $400,471.00 / $400,471.00 (To match loan)
SECTION 2. That City Council authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to submit loan applications to the Ohio Water Development Authority for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project, and to execute documents necessary to accept the loan funding if offered.
SECTION 3. This ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements project and the Department of Public Utilities accepting that loan.
SECTION 4. That the appropriation of $400,470.25, 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 5. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Polaris Area Water Line Improvements with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns & Dehaven, Inc. dba GPD Group, 1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43215, in an amount up to $400,470.25 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $400,470.25, 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.