Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $250,000.00. The original contract was authorized by Ordinance 3117-2022.
Go Sustainable Energy, LLC, will advise the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on various renewable energy and energy efficiency matters that are of interest to DPU, the Division of Power (DOP) and Sustainable Columbus. This work will support the City’s 100% municipal clean energy procurement goal by 2030 and the City’s 25% municipal energy reduction goal by 2030, among other energy and efficiency goals outlined in the Columbus Climate Action Plan (2021). This work will be performed in a manner that is consistent with the City’s existing power supply commitments.
The work includes a variety of tasks and subtasks, including, but not limited to, updates of the Division of Power’s (DOP) economic model, an analysis and mapping of DOP circuit capacity, DPU and DOP microgrid analysis, rate structure analysis and recommendations, energy audits and subsequent recommendations, Southerly solar optimization, export analysis, and community solar assistance.
Procurement:
The project was formally advertised (RFQ022065) on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from June 9, 2022 to July 8, 2022; the city received four (4) responses. All proposals were deemed responsive and were evaluated by the Evaluation Committee on July 14, 2022. The committee recommended that the Renewable Energy Procurement and Energy Efficiency Support project be awarded to Go Sustainable Energy, LLC.
The term of the agreement will be extended to and include January 31, 2027. Additional modifications will be requested, as needed, in future years to continue supporting the project. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on funding availability, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
This ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code pertaining to contract modifications.
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract modification #3 is $250,000.00. Total contract amount including this modification is $1,190,000.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds was not known at the time of the initial contract and this legislation authorizes funding and an extension of time to cover a continuation of the consultant’s work to allow for enough time to bid and award a new contract for this service next year.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: This modification is a continuation of the original contract. No lower pricing or more attractive terms and conditions are anticipated at this time.
4. How was cost determined: The renewal is based upon estimated rates established in the original contract.
Principal Parties:
Go Sustainable Energy, LLC.
5701 north High Street, Suite 112
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Gregory Raffio, (614) 285-5785
Contract Compliance Number: 001432
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: 09/24/2026
Fiscal Impact: $250,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$109,499.00 has been spent year-to-date in 2025
$351,277.00 was spent in 2024
$288,150.00 was spent in 2023
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify an existing agreement with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC for services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; and to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. to provide services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director to modify the existing agreement to extend the term up to and including January 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan. The amount being authorized by this ordinance is $250,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this contract modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify the existing agreement with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC to extend the term of the agreement up to and including January 31, 2027.
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 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 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from Public Utilities in object class 03 Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.