Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a professional services contract through the City’s RFP process with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the RTU Replacement Project, CIP 691606-100006, in an amount up to $2,204,118.93.
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Division of Water (DOW) has identified the need to replace outdated & obsolete Remote Terminal Units (RTU's) and outdated Programmable Logic Controller (PLC’s) at the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP), Hap Cremean Water Plant (HCWP), Parsons Avenue Water Plant (PAWP) and other related facilities. The design professional shall perform studies and produce technical memoranda related to Non-Potable Reuse that provides the explanation necessary to understand the existing conditions, establish design criteria, identify and evaluate possible alternatives, and recommend a conceptual implementation approach.
This project is located within the following Community Planning Area: 99 - Citywide
TIMELINE: The Notice to Proceed is anticipated to occur in the 4th quarter of 2026. The Draft Study Report is due 12 months after the Notice to Proceed and the Final Study Report is anticipated 4 months after the Draft Report was accepted.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The negotiated amount and proposed award amount is $2,204,118.93, including a 15% 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, design exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $2,204,118.93
Future Anticipated Needs $ __0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $2,204,118.93
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Columbus Water & Power Division of Water (DOW) has identified the need to replace outdated & obsolete Remote Terminal Units (RTU's) and outdated Programmable Logic Controller (PLC’s) at the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP), Hap Cremean Water Plant (HCWP), Parsons Avenue Water Plant (PAWP) and other related facilities.
Sustainable design options will be evaluated for integration into the project. The evaluation will result in a set of recommended sustainable design features to carry forward into the design phase. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from June 29, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Two proposals were received:
Name Contract Compliance Exp. Date City/State Status
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. CC010897 4/3/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ
Integrated Power System LLC CC041015 2/23/2024 N. Miami, FL MAJ
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
AECOM Technical Services, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC010879 and expires 5/26/2028.
As part of their proposal, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., has proposed the following subconsultants to perform contract work:
Name Contract Compliance Exp. Date City/State Status
Advanced Engineering Consultants, Ltd. CC005665 5/26/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ
CCI Engineering Services CC005248 12/5/2026 Columbus, OH SRBE
The certifications of AECOM Technical Services, Inc. and all subconsultants, were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/2026. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Columbus Water & Power to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 691606-100006 was listed in that ordinance with a project name. Even though Ordinance 0341-2026 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA December Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. Columbus Water & Power will inform the Auditor’s Office when this loan is approved. The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Columbus Water & Power will pay invoices for the work performed and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
The OWDA Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for this contract. Columbus Water & Power will need to pay invoices directly to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Columbus Water & Power.
Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a professional services contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the RTU Replacement Project; to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to apply for and accept a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program for the RTU Replacement Project; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon approval of a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,204,118.93 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($2,204,118.93)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water & Power is engaged in the RTU Replacement project; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the RTU Replacement project were received and opened on July 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended AECOM Technical Services, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized this contract to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, the RTU Replacement project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 0341-2026 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their December Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon approval of the loan from the OWDA; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the services AECOM Technical Services, Inc. provides under this contract; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of Columbus Water & Power to authorize the Director to enter into a professional services contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the RTU Replacement project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $2,204,118.93, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Columbus Water & Power be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the RTU Replacement project, CIP 691606-100006, with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., 277 West Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43215; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file at Columbus Water & Power.
SECTION 3. That City Council authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to submit loan applications to the Ohio Water Development Authority and accept loan funding for the RTU Replacement project, and that this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $2,204,118.93, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is 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 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.