Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with Evans Mechwart Hambleton & Tilton Inc. (EMH&T Inc.), for construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities construction projects bid during the calendar years 2023 through 2025 as part of the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2023-2025 contracts. The construction project to be administered by EMH&T Inc. under this contract modification is the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements, CIP No. 690236-100102, CT No. 2126, in an amount up to $820,534.46.
EMH&T will perform construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities Capital Improvement Projects that bid during the years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The contract will be modified as needed throughout the 3-year period to include these projects as they go to construction. Projects are located throughout the City of Columbus.
Planning Area 57 - Mid-East
UPDATED TIMELINE
The original contract allowed for work is to be completed within the timeframe established by the individual construction contracts. This contract modification will be in effect through the completion of construction for this project.
1.1. Amount of additional funds to be expended: $820,534.46
Original Contract: $ 1,934,456.02 (PO386052)
Modification #1: $ 178,477.12 (PO402261)
Modification #2: $ 495,415.00 (PO425785 and PO425788)
Modification #3: $ 1,133,050.50 (PO486138)
Modification #4: $ 214,836.28 (PO TBD)
Modification #5: (current): $ 820,534.46 (TBD)
Total: $ 4,776,769.38
1.2. Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is a three-year agreement for fiscal years 2023 - 2025 and modifications were anticipated and explained in the original legislation under Ordinance 0745-2023.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This is a multi-year contract that will be modified as required to provide Construction Administration/Construction Inspection services for construction projects that bid during the three-year (2023-2025) timeframe. Another procurement process is not required.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
The cost of this modification was determined by negotiations between EMH&T Inc. and Department of Public Utilities project staff based upon the existing contract labor titles, maximum labor rates, allowable contract expenses, and the time estimated to be needed to perform contract tasks.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Division of Water projects include replacement or rehabilitation of water lines that have a high break frequency and valves that are inoperable. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
EMH&T Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-004214 and expires 11/8/2025.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against EMH&T Inc., or their subcontractor.
EMH&T plans to perform the contract work with the use of the following subcontractor:
Name Contract Compliance # Expiration ODI Certification
DHDC CC-004214 11/8/25 MAJ
The certifications of EMH&T Inc., and DHDC were in good standing at the time of this contract modification.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
This design modification is expected to be financed with a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized the application and acceptance of funding through this program via Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by Council on 4/28/25. This ordinance will request City Council’s approval to loan fund this specific project. The loan is expected to be approved in August, 2025. This project is contingent on the WSRLA loan being approved by the OWDA Board. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved.
It is necessary to appropriate funds in the amount of $820,534.46 in Fund 6011for this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with Evans Mechwart Hambleton & Tilton Incorporated for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2023-2025 contract; to authorize the appropriation of funds in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the approval of a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority; and to expend up to $820,534.46 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund. ($820,534.46)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO386052 was authorized by Ordinance No. 0745-2023, for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2023-2025 Project; and
WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed to add additional funds for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection tasks needs to be performed for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the contract with EMH&T Inc. will need to be modified to add this task to the contract and to add funding to pay for the task; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6011, for this expenditure; and
WHEREAS, the construction administration/inspection for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project is anticipated to be funded with a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon loan approval for construction administration/inspection for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project by the Ohio Water Development Authority which is anticipated to occur in August of 2025; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended to pay for the construction administration and inspection services EMH&T Inc. provides under the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2023-2025 contract; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $820,534.46 is appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract modification with EMH&T Inc., 5500 New Albany Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43054, for construction administration and inspection services, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities, in an amount not to exceed $820,534.46.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure not to exceed $820,534.46 is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are 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 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.