Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to establish a Universal Term Contract (UTC) for the option to purchase Ferric Chloride with Kemira Water Solutions Inc. The Division of Water Reclamation is the sole user for Ferric Chloride, used as a flocculating agent at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The term of the proposed option contract would be approximately one year, expiring March 31, 2027, 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 Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding (Request for Quotation No. RFQ031837). Two (2) bids and One (1) No bid was received. Items 1-3 are 3 successive years of a potential three year contract with Item 4 being training. The apparent low bidder was only low for the first year of the contract, therefore only that year is being awarded. A new bid process will be done next year.
The Purchasing Office is recommending award to the overall lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder as follows:
Kemira Water Solutions Inc., CC#009644 expires January 8, 2028, Items 1 and 4 only, $1.00
Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $980,000.00, Division of Water Reclamation, the sole user
Emergency Designation: The Finance and Management Department respectfully requests this legislation to be considered an emergency ordinance because the current contract will expire March 31, 2026 and the uninterrupted supply of material is needed for proper wastewater treatment.
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 Ferric Chloride with Kemira Water Solutions, Inc.; to authorize the expenditure of $1.00; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ferric Chloride UTC will provide for the purchase of Ferric Chloride, used as a flocculating agent at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant; 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 that in order to avoid any lapse in contract term for materials used in wastewater treatment, it is necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to immediately enter into a Universal Term Contract for the option to purchase Ferric Chloride, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; 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 Ferric Chloride in accordance with Request for Quotation RFQ031837 for a term of approximately one (1) year, expiring March 31, 2026, with the option to renew for one (1) additional year or portion thereof, as follows:
Kemira Water Solutions Inc., Items 1 and 4 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.