Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services with Arcadis U.S. Inc. for the JPWTP Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project, CIP #650257-100101, in an amount up to $1,528,349.37.
The original contract was for preliminary design services relating to arc flash hazards and coordination issues with electrical equipment at the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant (JPWTP). That portion of the project evaluated electrical equipment that needs to be replaced or rehabilitated and provided recommendations for remediation.
The first modification was for detailed design services to provide detailed design documents for the construction portion of the project. The Step 2 services include bidding documents and assistance services.
This modification is the second of two planned modifications and will provide engineering services during construction, including submittal reviews, request for information responses and other technical field representation.
Community Planning Area: 99-Citywide
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $1,528,349.37
Original Contract Amount: $ 363,100.00 (ORD 2953-2021, PO308101)
Modification #1 : $ 716,000.00 (ORD 2934-2023, PO428391)
Modification #2 (current) $ 1,528,349.37
CONTRACT TOTAL : $ 2,607,449.00
1.2 Reason the need for additional goods or services could not be foreseen at the time the contract was initially awarded:
The contract was awarded with the intention of one design company performing all phases of the design work. The preliminary design services were completed by Arcadis in the original contract, with contract modifications planned to add funding for detailed design and for services during construction.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
Arcadis has intimate knowledge of the project scope and how the detailed design should proceed to address all the needs to go from preliminary design to detailed design. Re-bidding the contract would create a 4-6 month delay in the project and we would lose the institutional knowledge gained by Arcadis through the preliminary design process.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
The Consultant prepared an estimate based upon the scope of work for the detail design modification and based upon the existing job titles and contract rates for those job titles. The City Project Manager and associated staff reviewed and approved the estimate.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will replace equipment that is past its useful life or that no longer meets the electrical loads required by the plant. Replacing this equipment will reduce the amount of maintenance needed to keep the plant operational as well as reducing the number of electrical safety issues.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Arcadis U.S. Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC009409 and expires 1/21/2027.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Arcadis U.S. Inc.
As part of their proposal, Arcadis U.S. Inc. has proposed the following three subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Brown and Caldwell Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The certification of Arcadis U.S. Inc. and the above company were in good standing at the time of this contract modification.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested so construction can begin as soon as possible to reduce the amount of maintenance needed to keep the plant operational as well as reducing the number of electrical safety issues.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program 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 3119-2025, passed by Council on 12/15/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the October OWDA Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. Columbus Water & Power will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved.
This project is budgeted in the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget. Funds must be appropriated within the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111. This is a reimbursement loan. Columbus Water & Power must pay Arcadis U.S. Inc., and then submit the invoices paid to OWDA for reimbursement.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and increase the contract with Arcadis U.S. Inc. for the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant (JPWTP) Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to appropriate funds within the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund; to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,528,349.37 from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund to pay for the project; and to declare an emergency. ($1,528,349.37)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water & Power is engaged in the JPWTP Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO308101 were authorized by Ordinance No. 2953-2021, for the JPWTP Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025, passed by Council on 12/15/25, authorized the use of loans from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) to finance Columbus Water & Power projects; and
WHEREAS, a WPCLF loan application has been submitted to fund this contract modification; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and to expend funds from the Water Pollution Control Fund, Fund 6111, to pay for the contract modification; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended to pay for services provided under this contract modification; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Columbus Water & Power in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a professional engineering services contract modification with Arcadis U.S. Inc. for the JPWTP Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project so construction can begin as soon as possible to reduce the number of maintenance needed to keep the plant operational as well as reducing the number of electrical safety issues; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $1,528,349.37, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Columbus Water & Power is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional services contract with Arcadis U.S. Inc., 100 E. Campus View Blvd., Suite 230, Columbus, Ohio 43235; for the JPWWTP Power Systems Upgrade and Safety Improvements project, in an amount up to $1,528,349.37.
SECTION 3. That an expenditure of up to $1,528,349.37 from the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111, is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this contract modification.
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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.