Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Prime AE Group, Inc. for construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities construction projects bid during the calendar years 2026 through 2028 as part of the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contracts.
Prime AE Group, Inc. will perform construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities Capital Improvement Projects that bid during the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The contract will be modified as needed throughout the three-year period to include these projects as they go to construction. Projects are located throughout the City of Columbus.
The following are the initial projects to be assigned to the contract:
• Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements, CIP 690236-100155, CT No. 2383;
Planning Area = 35 - Northland; $918,048.94
• CA-CI for General Water Construction Projects, CIP 690549-100016;
Planning Area = 99 - Citywide; $75,000.00
Prime AE Group, Inc. will be assigned tasks on this contract and will ensure the work is performed to City of Columbus construction standards and specifications. Future construction projects assigned to Prime AE Group, Inc. will be added to their Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract as tasks, and the contract will be modified to authorize Prime AE Group, Inc. additional work and additional funding to pay for the work.
2. PROCUREMENT
The Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 8/11/25 through 9/19/25 in order to solicit proposals for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contracts with the intention of awarding contracts to multiple companies. Proposals were received from the following companies:
|
Name |
CC No. |
Exp. Date |
City/State |
Status |
|
DLZ Ohio |
CC-004939 |
7/22/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Stantec |
CC-000462 |
7/28/2023 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
EMH&T |
CC-004214 |
11/8/2025 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Resource International. |
CC-004197 |
6/5/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
WBE |
|
CTL Engineering |
CC-004209 |
6/26/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Prime AE |
CC-024771 |
2/25/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc.CC025646 |
2/26/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
|
Black & Veatch |
CC008038 |
8/11/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Smoot Construction |
CC-004871 |
3/7/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Hill International |
CC-000990 |
11/30/2025 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Quality Control Inspection |
CC025185 |
4/2/2020 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Mannik Smith |
CC-006578 |
9/17/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
G. Stephens |
CC006823 |
4/21/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
CORPI LLC |
MBE034417 |
5/23/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
All proposals were considered responsive and were evaluated by the evaluation committee. The seven companies with proposals scored the highest by the evaluation committee will be offered contracts if City Council approves. The seven companies (in score order) are: DLZ, Stantec, EMH&T, Resource International, CTL Engineering, Prime AE, and Hatch Associates Consultants.
3. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Division of Water projects include replacement or rehabilitation of water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Prime AE Group, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-002102 and expires 2/25/2027. Prime AE Group, Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of contract award.
Prime AE Group, Inc. plans to perform the work on these two projects without the use of subcontractors.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against EMH&T.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements, CIP 690236-100155
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. 690236-100155 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.
General Water Construction Projects, CIP 690549-100016
Funds in the amount of $75,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for Construction Administration and Inspection Services with Prime AE Group, Inc. for the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project and for the General Water Construction Projects; 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 Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $918,048.94 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund and an expenditure of up to $75,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contract; and to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project. ($993,048.94)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100155, and the General Water Construction Projects, 690549-100016; and
WHEREAS, a construction contract has been awarded for the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, construction administration and construction inspection services must be performed on the construction work; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services; and
WHEREAS, Prime AE Group, Inc. was one of seven firms selected by the evaluation committee to provide these services; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Wilson Bridge Booster Station 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, 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 is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund to align cash and appropriation within the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006 to pay for the construction administration and inspection services Prime AE Group, Inc. provides under the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract;
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract with Prime AE Group, Inc. for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services to be performed on the construction of the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100155 and the General Water Construction Projects, 690549-100016; 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 / 690236-100155 / Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $7,478,898.00 / $8,396,947.00 / $918,049.00 (To match the loan amount)
6006 / 690236-100000 / Water Main Rehabilitation (Voted Water Carryover) / $98,544.00 / $23,544.00 / ($75,000.00)
6006 / 690549-100016 / Construction Administration Services 2026 to 2028 (Voted Water Carryover) / $500,000.00 / $575,000.00 / $75,000.00
SECTION 2. That City Council authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to submit loan applications and accept loan funding for the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project, and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 3. That the appropriation of $918,048.94, 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 4. That the transfer of funds within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, in an amount up to $75,000.00, is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $993,048.94, 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 the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract with Prime AE Group, Inc. 8415 Pulsar Place, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43240, for construction administration and inspection services, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00 for General Water Construction Projects and in an amount not to exceed $918,048.94 for the Youngs Drive Area Water Line Improvements project.
SECTION 7. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures 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.