Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) with American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP, Inc.) in the amount of $25,000.00, to provide funding for entry into the Community Energy Savings Smart Thermostat Program (“Smart Thermostat Program”) and associated services with AMP, Inc. on behalf of the Division of Power ------- and also to extend the contract term of the existing MSA (which expires on December 31, 2025) through March 31, 2026 to cover the Smart Thermostat Program application window period, which concludes at the end of February, 2026, and allow time to modify the contract for 2026 membership costs.
The funds authorized by this ordinance will cover the costs of services provided by AMP, Inc. which equate to an annual service fee of $80.00 per enrolled thermostat (estimating 306 enrolled thermostats annually) with an anticipated annual cost savings of $159.00 in transmission and capacity charges and expected annual net savings of $79.00 per enrolled thermostat.
This Ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code pertaining to contract modifications.
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract modification #24 is $25,000.00. $25,000.00 is allocated for entry into the Smart Thermostat Program and associated services with AMP.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds was not known at the time of the initial contract due to the fact that this opportunity was only recently presented to the Division of Power in October, 2025.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: American Municipal Power, Inc. is a non-profit organization for state municipalities that is contracted with the Division of Power to provide purchase power and other services through the previously executed Master Services Agreement, which expires on December 31, 2025.
4. How was cost determined: The modification is based upon an estimated number of three-hundred and six (306) enrolled thermostats annually at an annual subscription cost of $80.00 per thermostat (306 x $80.00 = $24,480.00; rounded up to $25,000.00 for contingency purposes)
SUPPLIER:
American Municipal Power, Inc. | D365 Vendor #004495 | Federal EIN on file | Expires 1/29/2026 | Nonprofit Organization
AMP, Inc. does not hold MBE/FBE status.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$25,000.00 is budgeted and available for this purchase.
$47,296,704.53 was spent in 2025 YTD (as of 11.10.2025)
$53,386,098.99 was spent in 2024
$55,388,392.21 was spent in 2023
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency in order to utilize the full window of the application period into the Smart Thermostat Program, which ends in February, 2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. by $25,000.00 for participation in the Community Energy Savings Smart Thermostat Program and associated services on behalf of the Division of Power; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the Electricity Operating Fund; to authorize an extension of the existing MSA contract term through March 31, 2026; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Power has an existing Master Services Agreement for the purchase of wholesale electricity and associated services with American Municipal Power, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, AMP, Inc. and EnergyHub, Inc. have entered into an agreement (“EH Agreement”) to provide Software as a Service and program management services in order to provide a thermostat-based demand management program that gives advantages to participating AMP Members of economies of scale, mitigation of risk from local technology deployment and support, and reduced burden of ongoing support; and
WHEREAS, AMP, Inc. and the Division of Power desire to enter into a Smart Thermostat Program, under the MSA, which provides that AMP will obtain and sell to the Division of Power, and the Division of Power will agree to take and pay for the services which AMP will acquire through the EH Agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify and increase the existing Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. in the amount of $25,000.00 and to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 in order to enter into the Smart Thermostat Program and associated services provided by AMP, Inc. for the Division of Power; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify and extend the existing Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. through March 31, 2026 in order to utilize the full application period window for the Smart Thermostat Program and associated services provided by AMP, Inc. for the Division of Power; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code pertaining to contract modifications; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6300, Electricity Operating Fund, as $25,000.00 from object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement for participation in the Smart Thermostat Program and associated services with American Municipal Power, Inc., without delay, to utilize the full window of the program application period, which expires with the conclusion of the current MSA in February 2026, and the existing MSA expires December 31, 2025, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. for participation in the Community Energy Savings Smart Thermostat Program and associated services for the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the Master Service Agreement on file in the office of the Division of Power. Modification No.24 to this contract includes $25,000.00 for enrollment into the Smart Thermostat Program and associated services provided by AMP, Inc., for a total modification of $25,000.00; and that this modification authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to extend the MSA contract term through March 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. That this modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6300, Electricity Operating Fund, as $25,000.00 from object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby 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.