Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) to provide funding for participation in journeyman lineworker safety and training programs.
Lineworkers construct and maintain electric poles, transformers, and lines. The Division of Power (DOP) has an active journeyman lineworker training program with another vendor, who, until AMP’s program, was the sole company offering this training locally. AMP’s program is offered in partnership with the Northwest Lineman College, which provides the books and curriculum. Of the two programs to offer the training locally, AMP’s program cost per attendee is the lowest cost option. Thus, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the provisions of competitive bidding and modify the Master Services Agreement with AMP to include journeyman lineworker safety and training.
The Division desires to have three two-week classes this year after enrolling attendees in two last year. Overall, the training program is expected to run for four years, with funding provided annually and contingent on mutual agreement between the City and vendor, approval by ordinance of Columbus City Council, and appropriation and certification of funds by the City Auditor
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract modification #22 is $84,360.00. Total contract amount including this modification is $398,084,894.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: It was expected there would be additional enrollments as DOP hired new staff.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: Only two programs offer the training locally and AMP’s program cost per attendee is the lowest cost option.
4. How was cost determined: The amount is based on AMP’s cost per attendee.
SUPPLIER:
American Municipal Power, Inc. | D365 Vendor #004495 | EIN on file | Expired 1/29/2026 | Nonprofit Organization
American Municipal Power, Inc. does not hold MBE/FBE status.
SUBCONTRACTOR:
Northwest Lineman College | D365 Vendor #045774 | EIN on file | Expires 6/20/2025
Neither the Contractor nor Subcontractor are 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:
$84,360 is available for the training program. This is above budget but the Division is projecting surplus in professional services and thus able to enroll more attendees.
$55,386.00 was spent on the training program in 2023
$0.00 was spent in 2022
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. to provide funding for participation in journeyman lineworker safety and training programs; and to authorize the expenditure of $84,360.00 from the Electricity Operating Fund; and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code. ($84,360.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Power has an ongoing need for safety and training services to prepare lineworker staff to safely and effectively perform their duties constructing and maintaining electric poles, transformers, and lines; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Power has an existing contract for the purchase of wholesale electricity and associated services with American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP), including lineworker training; and
WHEREAS, AMP is a private, not for profit, corporation that provides various services and training opportunities to its members, directly or indirectly through various affiliated entities, including, but not limited to, Municipal Energy Services Agency (all such affiliated entities referred to collectively as “Affiliated Entities” and together with AMP, the “AMP Entities”); and
WHEREAS, the City is a member of AMP; and
WHEREAS, AMP and/or its Affiliated Entities conduct, at various times during the year, safety and training programs for AMP’s members and their employees; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify and increase the existing Master Services Agreement with AMP in the amount of $84,360.00 to cover seven additional enrollees in the lineworker training program; and
WHEREAS, of the two programs to offer the training locally, AMP’s program cost per attendee is the lowest cost option so it is in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code and modify the Master Services Agreement with AMP; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $84,360.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6300, Electricity Operating Fund, from object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the Master Services Agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. to fund additional enrollees in the journeyman lineworker safety and training programs; 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. to fund additional participation in journeyman lineworker safety and training programs. Modification No.22 to this contract adds $84,360.00 to fund the programs.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code for the contract modification with American Municipal Power, Inc.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $84,360.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6300, Electricity Operating Fund, 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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.