Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Water Testing Supplies with Environmental Resource Associates. The Division of Water is the primary user of Water Testing Supplies. Water Testing Supplies are to be used for municipal drinking water and wastewater testing as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately three (3) years, expiring July 31, 2029, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof. In addition, the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding, (Request for Quotation No. RFQ032467). The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on April 16, 2026. Zero (0) bids were received, and on (Request for Quotation No. RFQ032691 opened on May 14, 2026. Zero (0) bids received. The Division of Water is requesting to waive the provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding as 2 formal bids have been published with no response from vendors. The Division of Water desires to continue contracting with the current vendor, Environmental Resource Associates, for these supplies.
Environmental Resource Associates, CC# CC-007133, pending renewal, All items $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $25,000, Division of Water, the primary user.
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation be considered an emergency ordinance because the prior contract expired May 31, 2026, and it is in the best interest of the City to enter into a new contract to ensure the availability of Water Testing Supplies.
This company is not debarred according to the Excluded Parties listing of the Federal Government and are not listed in the Auditor of States database for Findings for Recovery.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693. City Agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Water Testing Supplies with Environmental Resource Associates; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; to waive the provisions of competitive bidding; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Water Testing Supplies UTC will provide for the purchase of Water Testing Supplies that are to be used for municipal drinking water and wastewater testing as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA).; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on April 16, 2026 and May 14, 2026; and
WHEREAS, The Division of Water is requesting to waive the provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding as 2 formal bids have been published with no response from vendors. ; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Water in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Water Testing Supplies as the prior contract expired on May 31, 2026 and such services need to continue uninterrupted, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Water Testing Supplies with Environmental Resource Associates for a term of approximately three (3) years, expiring July 31, 2029. with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof, as follows:
Environmental Resource Associates, CC# CC-007133, All Items, $1.00
SECTION 2. This Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the relevant provisions of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 to permit the aforementioned purchase.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003693 of this ordinance to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.