Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to renew an existing contract with Woolpert, Inc. for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services. The contract amount being authorized by this ordinance is $150,000.00. The original contract was authorized by Ordinance 2574-2024.
This legislation allows the consultant to help with continued development of the City of Columbus’ GIS system, including its associated applications and datasets. Specific tasks include migrating legacy scripts to Python 3; migrating ArcGIS Desktop 10.x Data Reviewer rule set to ArcGIS Pro 3.x; support for the Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Team; web mapping and application creation and support; second tier support for the Hydrant Web, Water Valve, and Watershed Management applications; and other task-based on-site staff support.
The original contract associated with PO415023 for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services expired on October 06, 2024, leaving $150,000.00 remaining. Ordinance 2574-2025 authorized a new contract for GIS professional services and approved the use of the funds available on PO415023 through the expiration of the new contract, November 30th, 2025. The term of the contract was established for one-year with two one-year renewal options. If unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be required.
This ordinance authorizes the first one-year renewal option. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on availability within the budget, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor.
1. Amount of additional funds: Total amount of additional funds needed for this contract renewal No. 2 is $150,000.00. Total contract amount including this renewal is $300,000.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds was known at the time of the initial contract and this legislation authorizes funding to cover a continuation of the consultant’s work for an additional year.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: Work under this renewal No. 1 is a continuation of services included in the scope of the original bid contract. No lower pricing/more attractive terms and conditions are anticipated currently.
4. How was cost determined: The renewal is based on rates that were negotiated and established in the existing contract.
Principal Parties:
Woolpert, Inc.
1 Easton Oval, Suite 400
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Brian Stevens, (614) 476-6000
Contract Compliance Number: 001040
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: 04/03/2027
Subcontractor:
CAD Concepts, Inc. DBA CCI Engineering
2323 West 5th Ave. Suite 120
Columbus, Ohio 43204
Fiscal Impact: $150,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$00.00 was spent in 2024
$00.00 was spent in 2023
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract renewal with Woolpert, Inc. Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to renew an existing contract with Woolpert, Inc. for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services; and
WHEREAS, due to the expected costs and project delays associated with restarting the GIS professional services bidding process, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the provisions of competitive bidding in Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and renew an existing contract with Woolpert, Inc. for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; 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 enter into a contract renewal with Woolpert, Inc. for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to renew an existing agreement with Woolpert, Inc. for Geographic Information System (GIS) professional services. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $150,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes for the contract renewal with Woolpert, Inc. and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $150,000.00 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 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.