Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Soda Ash with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. The Division of Water and Power is the sole user of Soda Ash, used as a softening agent for potable water at the water treatment plants. The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2029, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on January 8, 2026. In addition, the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 329 relating to competitive bidding (Request for Quotation No. RFQ031675). Three (3) bids were received. Soda Ash and Caustic Soda are both used as a softening agent, with one product being used as the primary softening agent and the other used as the secondary softening agent, depending on cost effectiveness. Pricing is requested based on estimated usage as both the primary product (Items 1-3) and as the secondary product (Items 4-6) with training being Item 7. Soda Ash is currently used as the secondary agent and will continue to be used as secondary. Award is being recommended to the lowest bidder for Items 4-6, the secondary usage items.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder as follows:
Bonded Chemical, Inc., CC# 009693 expires 1/24/27, Items 4-7 Only, $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $234,000, Division of Water and Power, the sole user
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation to be considered an emergency ordinance because it is necessary to eliminate any possible lapse in contract periods.
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: The expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264. City Agencies will be required to obtain approval to expend from their own appropriations for their estimated annual expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract for the option to purchase Soda Ash with Bonded Chemicals, Inc.; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Soda Ash UTC will provide for the purchase of soda ash used as the secondary softening agent at the water treatment plants; and,
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited formal bids on January 8, 2026 and selected the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that in order to avoid a lapse in contract terms it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to immediately enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Soda Ash, 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 Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to enter into the following contract for the option to purchase Soda Ash in accordance with Request for Quotation RFQ031675 for a term of approximately three (3) years, expiring March 31, 2029, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof, as follows:
Bonded Chemicals, Inc., Items 4-7 Only, $1.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1.00 is hereby authorized from General Budget Reservation BRPO003264 of this ordinance to pay the cost thereof.
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 for the reason 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.