Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a contract through the City’s RFP process with Brown and Caldwell for professional engineering services for the Sludge Line Improvements project, CIP 691606-100007, in an amount up to $1,322,800.00.
The Division of Water has identified a need for design development of the treatment residuals force mains at Dublin Road Water Plant and Hap Cremean Water Plant. The design professional shall perform studies and produce technical memoranda related to improving the treatment residuals force mains at Dublin Road Water Plant and Hap Cremean Water Plant, establish design criteria, identify and evaluate possible alternatives, and recommend a conceptual implementation approach.
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 Notice to Proceed is anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Draft Study Report is due 12 months after the Notice to Proceed and the Final Study Report is anticipated 4 months after the Draft Report was accepted.
ESTIMATED COST OF CONTRACT: The proposed award amount is $1,322,800.00, including a 15% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Future contract modifications are anticipated.
Preliminary Design Phase $1,322,800.00
Detailed Design Phase (future renewal) $1,750,000.00
Engineering Services During Construction (future renewal) $ 500,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $3,572,800.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The Dublin Road Water Plant and Hap Cremean Water Plant are critical components in the City of Columbus’ potable water supply system. Both utilize force mains to convey water treatment residuals (aka sludge) produced in the sedimentation and softening steps of the water treatment process from the plants to the McKinley Avenue Quarry. These force mains are critical to the operability and reliability of DRWP and HCWP and have shown signs of aging and experienced reduction to the sludge pumping rate over recent years.
Sustainable design options will be evaluated for integration into the project. The evaluation will result in a set of recommended sustainable design features to carry forward into the design phase.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Euna/Bonfire websites from April 27, 2025, through May 29,2025. Two proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State Status
Brown and Caldwell 010815 10/3/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
GDP Group 006560 6/23/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Sludge Line Improvements project be awarded to Brown and Caldwell.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Brown and Caldwell’s contract compliance number is CC010518 and expires 10/3/2027. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Brown and Caldwell.
As part of their proposal, Brown and Caldwell, has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status
DLZ Columbus, OH MBE
Resource International, Inc. Columbus, OH WBE
Regency Construction Services Columbus, OH WBE
The certifications of the above companies are in good standing at the time of this ordinance.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the sludge line improvements project, will be obtained through a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), 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 1320-2026 passed by Council on 6/1/2026. The loans are expected to be approved at the OWDA October Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by the OWDA Board. Columbus Water and Power will inform the Auditor’s Office when the loans are approved.
The WSRLA program is a reimbursement program. Columbus Water and Power will need to pay Brown and Caldwell’s invoices and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
Funds will need to be appropriated and expended in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Brown and Caldwell. for the Sludge Line Improvements project; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Water Supply 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 $1,322,800.00 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($1,322,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water and Power is engaged in the Sludge Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the Sludge Line Improvements project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended Brown and Caldwell be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1320-2026 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011, to pay for the contracted services for the project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Brown and Caldwell, for the Sludge Line Improvements project; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $1,322,800.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services and construction services contract for the Sludge Line Improvements project with Brown and Caldwell, 445 Hutchinson Avenue, Suite 540, Columbus, OH 43235, in an amount up to $1,322,800.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file with Columbus Water and Power.
SECTION 3. That Ordinance 1320-2026 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $1,322,800.00, 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. 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 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.