Explanation
Background: The ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Peterson Highway Safety, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards for the Division of Water, in an amount not to exceed $93,800.00.
The distribution maintenance supervisors and barricade crews will use the arrow boards for road closures to maintain and direct the flow of traffic, creating a safe working area for the crews to fix water breaks.
Procurement
The Purchasing Office solicited competitive bids through Vendor Services from March 16th, 2026 to April 9th, 2026 for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code, RFQ032372. Eighty-three vendors were solicited and six bids were received. The bids were opened and evaluated on April 9th, 2026.
After the bids were evaluated, it was determined that the low bidder’s arrow boards did not meet the required specifications and the Department has safety concerns regarding the alternate item provided in the low bidder's submission. The second low bidder, Peterson highway Safety, Inc. also deviated from the required specifications but their exceptions have been deemed acceptable by the Division of Water. Therefore, the Division recommends the award be given to the second low bidder, Peterson Highway Safety, Inc., as they were the most responsive, responsible, and best bidder. A bid waiver is being requested to allow the acceptance of the second low bidder's specification exceptions.
Principal Parties:
Peterson Highway Safety, Inc.
950 Dublin Rd., PO Box 1510
Columbus, OH 43215
Aaron Peterson, (614) 486-4375
Contract Compliance Number: 034416
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: 04/03/2028
Fiscal Impact: $93,800.00 is available from within the Water Operating Fund to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$0.00 was spent in 2025
$0.00 was spent in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Peterson Highway Safety, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards for the Department of Public Utilities; to waive competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code; and to authorize the expenditure of $93,800.00 from the Water Operating Fund. ($93,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Peterson Highway Safety, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards for the Department of Public Utilities; and
WHEREAS, due to the bid submission containing exceptions, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the provision of competitive bidding in Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and enter into contract with Peterson highway Safety, Inc for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards for the Department of Public Utilities; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $93,800.00 from the Water Operating Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Peterson Highway Safety, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered, trailer mounted, arrow boards in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of Solicitation Number RFQ032372 on file in the Purchasing Office; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Peterson Highway Safety, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of twenty solar powered trailer mounted arrow boards in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of Solicitation Number RFQ032372 on file in the Purchasing Office.
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 with Peterson Highway Safety, 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 the expenditure of $93,800.00 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from object class 02 Materials & Supplies from within the Water Operating Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.