Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract through the City’s RFP process with S&ME, Inc. for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project, CIP No. 691504-100001, in an amount up to $4,442,883.00.
The Department of Public Utilities is engaged in a project to facilitate the construction of two upground reservoirs and appurtenant structures to support the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) and the future Home Road Water Plant (HRWP), which utilize the Scioto River for surface water supply. Currently the existing John R. Doutt Upground Reservoir provides 9 billion gallons of off-stream storage to support the existing DRWP. Projected water usage growth in the City, the construction of a second water plant that will pull from the Scioto River, and recent droughts necessitate additional, reliable water supply sources, which these upground reservoirs will provide. Water quality provided by the City is essential to human health and economic growth and development.
The Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services contract is for Professional Engineering Services (Design Professional or “DP” services) for the two needed reservoirs. The contract includes a preliminary design phase for both reservoirs (designated R1 and R3), raw water lines associated to each reservoir, the existing pump station and intake structure, and other appurtenant structures necessary for the overall function of the reservoir system. The work shall also include conceptual design of any required improvements or modifications including potential alternatives to existing support facilities and equipment to fulfill the project intent.
The primary objective of the DP services is to develop a concise set of design documents that will allow for the complete construction of facilities that will serve all intentions of their planned operation and will provide security, resiliency, flexibility and ease of operation with reasonable maintenance requirements.
This project is located within the following Community Area: Citywide (99).
TIMELINE: The Notice to Proceed for this contract is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2026 with the completion of the Preliminary Design Report estimated in the fourth quarter of 2026. It is anticipated contract modifications will be issued for Detailed Design for future capital construction projects related to the upground reservoirs. If so, detailed design of the first facility will begin the fourth quarter of 2027 and is anticipated to be completed in 2029. Contract modifications are also anticipated to be issued for Engineering Services During Construction for upground reservoir projects. If so, this contract will continue until construction of the facilities are completed and accepted by the City, which is currently anticipated to be 2035.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The amount of the initial contract and the anticipated future contract modifications is listed below.
Cost summary:
Initial Contract $4,442,883.00
Future Modification #1 (future) $12,000,000.00
Future Modification #2 (future) $13,250,000.00
Future Modification #3 (future) $4,500,000.00
Future Modification #4 (future) $5,250,000.00
Future Modification #5 (future) $11,250,000.00
Future Modification #6 (future) $13,000,000.00
Future Modification #7 (future) $500,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $64,192,883.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Projected water usage growth in the City, the construction of a second water plant that will pull from the Scioto River, and recent droughts necessitate additional, reliable water supply sources, which these upground reservoirs will provide. Water quality provided by the City is essential to human health and economic growth and development.
Community outreach is expected during the development of this project. The extent of outreach is to be determined, but will likely include coordination with local residents, townships, and other stakeholders.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from May 13, 2025, through June 20, 2025. Three proposals were received:
Name Contract Compliance. No. City/State Status
S&ME, Inc. CC014314 Dublin/OH MAJ
DLZ, Inc. CC004939 Columbus/OH MAJ
Michael Baker International CC001926 Columbus/OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project be awarded to S&ME, Inc.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
S&ME, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC014314 and expires 8/12/26.
As part of their proposal, S&ME, Inc, has proposed the following subconsultant to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State Contract Compliance Status
ms consultants Columbus/OH MAJ
Arcadis Columbus/OH MAJ
Garcia Columbus/OH MBE
Stone Columbus/OH WBE
DHDC Columbus/OH MBE
Resource International Columbus/OH WBE
Coldwater Columbus/OH WBE
RAMA Columbus/OH MBE
The certification of S&ME, Inc. and all subconsultants were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this 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, and this ordinance is contingent upon OWDA loan approval. The OWDA Board is expected to approve the loan at their December Board meeting.
The OWDA Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to S&ME, Inc., for this contract. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to S&ME, 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. Funds will need to appropriated within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with S&ME, Inc., for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to make this ordinance contingent upon approval of a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,442,883.00 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($4,442,883.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project; and
WHEREAS, three proposals for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project were received and opened on June 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended S&ME, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025 authorized this contract to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their December Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with S&ME, Inc., for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to expend funds to pay for the services S&ME, Inc. provides under this contract; 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 / 691504-100001 / Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $4,442,883.00 / $4,442,883.00 (to match loan)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $4,442,883.00, 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 the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project, CIP No. 691504-100001, with S&ME, Inc., 6190 Enterprise Court, Dublin, Ohio 43016; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving an OWDA Direct (Fresh Water) loan for the design of the Upground Reservoirs R1 and R3 Engineering Services project, CIP No. 691504-100001.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $4,442,883.00, 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 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.