Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with GPD Group for professional services for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project, CIP #670608-100015, in an amount up to $1,526,280.03.
The City of Columbus, Division of Power (DOP) 69-2 Circuit Improvements project will upgrade a 50 year old transmission circuit. This circuit is 9.7 miles long and stretches from the Southerly Substation to the Jackson Pike Substation. Some of the line has already been upgraded, but 8.3 miles of this circuit still need to be reconductored with newer, larger wire to extend the useful life of this circuit and to provide additional capacity for increased current from a planned solar field. The scope of improvements will also include condition based pole replacements, lightning arrestor replacements, and other work deemed necessary to meet national Electrical Safety Code requirements and proper transmission pole line.
DOP is currently working with a solar developer on two other projects that will be operational in 2023. The solar developer is eager to maintain the momentum and begin planning and design efforts on another solar field at the city’s Compost Facility. Bringing this additional solar power source online will get the City closer to the City goals in the Climate Action Plan of increasing commercial on-site solar to 200MW and 100% clean energy procurement for DOP. The target for these commitments is 2030, thus the need for DOP to implement this project now.
The work to be performed for this contract includes project management, field survey, detailed design, preparation of construction drawings, obtaining any permits necessary for the work, engineering services during construction, and preparation of record plan drawings.
Project area: 99 City Wide
TIMELINE: The Notice to Proceed for the contract is anticipated to be issued in the first quarter of 2024. The initial contract funding is anticipated to fund the first two years of the contract. Two contract renewals are anticipated. Each contract renewal is anticipated to fund an additional two years of work, with the contract expected to be completed within six years.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The initial contract amount is $1,526,280.03. Future contract modifications will be necessary as the Division of Power intends to fund these services in roughly two-year increments.
Cost summary:
Original Contract (current) $ 1,526,280.03
Contract Modification #1 $ 1,000,000.00
Contract Modification #2 $ 1,000,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 3,526,280.03
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will construct a more resilient and reliable power distribution system. This will result in fewer power interruptions to the customers on these circuits which will minimize any economic impacts due to power outages. The improvements to this circuit will allow provide a reliable path for power to be transmitted from solar fields on the south end of town to the core Division of Power service territory.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites and opened 9/15/23. Three proposals were received:
Name C.C. No./Exp. Date City/State Status
GPD Group CC006560 / 5/24/2025 Columbus, OH MAJ
AEC CC005665 / 3/24/2025 Columbus, OH MBE
GAI Consultants CC046598 / 9/12/2025 Canton, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project be awarded to GPD Group
GPD Group’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
GPD Group’s contract compliance number is CC-006560 and expires 5/24/2025. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against GPD Group
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This contract was bid with an anticipated City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal of 10% as assigned by the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). After ODI’s review of the Utilization Plan and other related information the contractor submitted with their bid response, ODI has approved an MBE/WBE Program goal of 10% for this contract. Failure by the contractor to meet this goal subjects the contractor to the Penalties for Non-Compliance as described in the bid documents for this contract.
As part of their proposal, GPD Group has proposed the following two subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Resource International, Inc. Columbus, OH WBE
STONE Environmental Engineering Columbus, OH WBE
The certification of GPD Group and the above listed companies were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,526,280.03 is available and appropriated within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303. An amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity 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 professional services contract with GPD Group for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,526,280.03 from the Electricity Bond Fund to pay for the contract. ($1,526,280.03)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, three proposals for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended GPD Group 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 services contract with GPD Group for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, 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 2023 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1711-2023 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority/ Revised Authority / Change
6303 / 670907-100000 / Furnace Substation - 138kV Interconnection (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $1,000,000.00 / $0.00 / ($1,000,000.00)
6303 / 670899-100000 / Circuits 128 and 80 Street Lighting Improvements (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $712,122.00 / $185,841.00 / ($526,281.00)
6303 / 670608-100015 / 69-2 Circuit Improvements (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,526,281.00 / $1,526,281.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $1,526,280.03, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services contract for the 69-2 Circuit Improvements project with GPD Group, 1801 Watermark Dr., Columbus, OH 43215, in an amount up to $1,526,280.03, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $1,526,280.03, 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 5. 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 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 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 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.