Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with John Eramo & Sons, via the City’s IFB process, for the Transite Pipe Replacement & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project, CIP No. 690236-100112 & 690236-100150, in an amount up to $10,321,323.10, and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of up to $10,323,323.10.
The Transite Pipe Replacement portion of the project will abandon existing transite (asbestos-cement) pipe in the water distribution system and replace with new ductile iron water main at various locations throughout the City. There is approximately 9,065 linear feet of transite pipe that will be replaced.
The John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension portion of the project replaces an existing 6-inch water main with a new 8-inch water main on Judy Resnick Street north of Wright Brothers Avenue, extending it further to the north to tie into the 24-inch water main along John Glenn Avenue. There will be approximately 400 linear feet of water main replaced/extended.
The project falls within multiple community areas, including Clintonville, North Linden, Northeast, and Far South.
The Community Planning Area is 99 - Citywide
TIMELINE: All work shall be complete within 365 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in July 2025.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $10,321,323.10, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $10,321,323.10
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $10,321,323.10
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
$10,323,323.10
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace existing Transite pipe within the water distribution system. Replacement of these water lines will decrease the burden on water maintenance operations and improve customer service. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) were contacted and informed of this project during the design phase.
There are no anticipated public meetings to be held during this project. The Division of Water will be responsible for coordinating with stakeholders.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 2/14/2025 through 3/10/2025. Two bids were received:
Name Bid Amount______City/State
John Eramo & Sons, Inc. $10,321,323.10 Columbus, OH
C. J. Hughes Construction, Inc. $12,285,441.44 Huntington, WV
John Eramo & Sons’ bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive bid. John Eramo & Sons’ certification was in good standing at the time of the bid award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
John Eramo & Sons’ contract compliance number is CC004251 and expires 10/31/2025.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against John Eramo & Sons, Inc.
A part of their proposal, John Eramo & Sons has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State
WL Markers Columbus, Ohio
McCoy Piping Columbus, Ohio
Hina Environmental Columbus, Ohio
Griffin Pavement Columbus, Ohio
Donley Concrete and Breaking Columbus, Ohio
Complete General Construction Columbus, Ohio
Testa Trucking Ostrander, Ohio
Newcomer Concrete Norwalk, Ohio
Clear Cut Tree Co. Westerville, Ohio
Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio
Strawser Paving Columbus, Ohio
4K Landscape Columbus, Ohio
CESO Columbus, Ohio
Capitol Tunneling Columbus, Ohio
Precise Boring of Ohio Columbus, Ohio
McDaniels Construction Columbus, Ohio
Bridges Brothers Columbus, Ohio
The certification of the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded with the exception of the following companies: Clear Cut Tree Co., Testa Trucking, CESO, Capitol Tunneling, and Precise Boring of Ohio. All have contract compliance issues that will need to be resolved to be included in the contract with John Eramo & Sons, Inc.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
John Eramo & Sons and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0652-2024, passed by Council on 3/25/24. This loan is expected to be approved at the June Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to John Eramo & Sons for these contracts. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to John Eramo & Sons and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
Funding for the prevailing wage services provided by the Department of Public Service is available and appropriated in the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. An amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with John Eramo & Sons for the Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project; to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan to finance the contract; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $10,323,323.10 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund and the Water Bond Fund to pay for the project. ($10,323,323.10)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project were received and opened on 3/10/25; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction services contract with John Eramo & Sons for the Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the construction of this project; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6014 / 690236-100112 / Transite Pipe Replacements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $5,450,000.00 / $10,705,852.00 / $5,255,852.00 (To match loan amount)
6006 / 690236-100159 / 5th Ave by Northwest - Edgehill / Meadow WL Imp (Voted Water Carryover) / $18,000.00 / $16,000.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690236-100112 / Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $10,321,323.10 is appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund, Fund 6014, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this contract.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction services contract for the Transite Pipe Replacements & John Glenn Avenue Water Main Extension project with John Eramo & Sons, 3670 Lacon Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, in an amount up to $10,321,323.10, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services from the Department of Public Service and to pay up to a maximum amount of $2,000.00 for them.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $10,323,323.10, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this project per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.