Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a service contract with Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC. The City of Columbus, Division of Water is seeking approval to purchase and implement Echoshore-DX solution using both advanced, acoustic sensors to determine leak location, size and impact. Phase 1 of the pilot of the Ecologics Echoshore-DX consists of 50 sensors that will be attached to fire hydrant nozzles. They will use correlation data and AI models to determine the location and estimated size of water main leaks in the water distribution system. The leak location and data will be estimated and sent through a cellular network to a web user interface. This information can be used by the Division of Water staff to pinpoint leaks in the distribution system. Phase 2 (if authorized), upon successful completion of the Phase 1 pilot, Division of Water will have the option to buy the sensors and continue the leak monitoring for an additional nine months.
VENDOR: Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC.; Vendor #043240; CC Pending
FISCAL IMPACT: $74,500.00 is budgeted and available for this contract in the 2026 Water Operating Fund
$0.00 was spent in 2025
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a service contract for Echoshore-DX leak detection services; to authorize the expenditure of $74,500.00 from the 2026 Division of Water Operating Fund; and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes. ($74,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Water has a need for leak detection services with Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC, Inc., in order to ensure timely repair of water leaks and adequately protect the City's investment; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes for payment of the leak deterction services;
WHEREAS, due to the proprietary nature of the leak detection services, it is desired to enter into this contract with Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC for their particular product in accordance with the bid waiver provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted for this purpose in the Division of Water 2026 Operating Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of Columbus Water and Power that it is necessary to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Pwoer to enter into a contract for maintenance and repair services with Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power be and is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract for maintenance and repair services for leak detection with Mueller Water Products Inc, DBA Echologics LLC.
SECTION 2. That said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Columbus Water and Power and the Administrator of the Division of Water.
SECTION 3. That this Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive, and does hereby waive, the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 to enter into the contract.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $74,500.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Division of Water 2026 Operating Fund in object class 03 (services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.