Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract through the City’s RFP process with HDR Engineering, Inc. for professional engineering services for the Southerly Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) Dewatering Improvements project, CIP #650349-100001, in an amount up to $3,446,125.60.
This contract is necessary to ensure continued operation of the dewatering process at the SWRP. The plant will become non-compliant without the dewatering process as it provides a means to dewater and prepare biosolids for distribution to the various disposal outlets. The CMAR delivery model will be utilized to complete the improvements as expeditiously as possible.
This contract is for preliminary design, detailed design, and services during construction to replace existing problematic sludge dewatering centrifuges, feed pumps, cake pumps, electrical gear, and supporting equipment at SWRP. The work will include select building improvements to increase resiliency of the dewatering system. The work will also evaluate side stream nutrient removal to improve treatment capacity at SWRP and improve biosolids nutrient composition for more land application opportunity.
Two planned contract modifications to add funding are anticipated. One modification is planned at the completion of design development and a second is planned for services during construction.
The Columbus Community is 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE: The contract is expected to begin in January 2026 and complete preliminary design in 14 months. CMAR procurement and step 2 services will be acquired before the end of step 1 to begin coordination of the detailed design components. Step 2 services will last through 2028. Step 3 services will be started in April 2028, and construction will be completed by late 2031. The engineering agreement is anticipated to be closed in June 2032.
ESTIMATED COST OF CONTRACT: The proposed award amount is $3,446,125.60, including a 10% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Future contract modifications are anticipated.
Original Contract (current) $3,446,125.60
Modification #1 (future) $7,210,000.00
Modification #2 (future) $7,210,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $17,866,125.60
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project is essential for the continued successful operation of SWRP. A failure of the dewatering system would put the facility out of compliance and negatively impact the Scioto River and prevent any new construction from occurring as OEPA will not permit new construction without sufficient wastewater treatment capacity. The project will utilize local labor and return funds into the local economy.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 5/16/2025 through 6/20/2025. Three proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date___________City/State Status
HDR Engineering, Inc CC-008851 3/11/2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. CC-010897 5/28/2026 Columbus, OH MAJ
Arcadis US, Inc. CC-009409 1/21/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the SWRP Dewatering Improvements project be awarded to HDR Engineering, Inc.
HDR Engineering, Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against HDR Engineering, Inc.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
HDR Engineering, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-008851 and expires 3/11/26. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against HDR Engineering, Inc.
As part of their proposal, HDR Engineering, Inc. has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status
CDM Smith Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Cad Concepts Inc. Columbus, Ohio WBE
DHDC Engineering Consultant Services Inc. Columbus, Ohio MBE
Dynotec, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MBE
Stone Environmental, LLC Columbus, Ohio WBE
Advanced Engineering Consultants, Ltd. Columbus, Ohio WBE
The certification of HDR Engineering, Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time of the contract modification.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
This project is anticipated to be financed with a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The WPCLF program is jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 2720-2024 passed by Council on 10/28/2024. This loan is expected to be approved in December of 2025. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA.
The WPCLF program is now a reimbursement program. Public Utilities will need to pay HDR Engineering, Inc.’s invoices and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the amount of the needed loan. Funds will need to be appropriated and expended in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the Southerly Water Reclamation Plant Dewatering Improvements project; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan 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 $3,446,125.60 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($3,446,125.60)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the SWRP Dewatering Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, three proposals for the SWRP Dewatering Improvements project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended HDR Engineering, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the SWRP Dewatering Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2720-2024 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF); and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the amount of the loan; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, to pay for the contracted services for the 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
6111 / 650349-100001 / SWRP Dewatering Improvements (Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund) / $1,330,000.00 / $3,446,126.00 / $2,116,126.00 (to match loan)
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $3,446,125.60 is appropriated in Fund 6111 (Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund), per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services and construction services contract for the SWRP Dewatering Improvements project with HDR Engineering, Inc., 8890 Lyra Drive, Suite100, Columbus, OH 43240, in an amount up to $3,446,125.60, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance 2720-2024 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $3,446,125.60, 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 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.