Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities construction projects bid during the calendar years 2026 through 2028 as part of the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contracts.
DLZ Ohio, Inc., was awarded a contract to perform construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities Capital Improvement Projects that bid during the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The contract is modified as needed throughout the three-year contract period to include projects as they go to construction.
DLZ Ohio, Inc. will be assigned tasks on this contract and will ensure the work is performed to City of Columbus construction standards and specifications. Future construction projects assigned to DLZ Ohio, Inc. will be added to their Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract as tasks, and the contract will be modified to authorize the DLZ Ohio, Inc. work and to add funding to pay for the work.
The initial work on this contract was assigned as part of the Mayor’s Emergency declared a few weeks ago to repair numerous water lines that were breaking due to the severe winter weather. This contract modification is needed to provide additional funding to continue the construction inspection/administration work needed to repair the emergency water line failures.
This work will primarily be performed in Columbus Community Area 99 - Citywide.
1.1. Amount of additional funds to be expended: $250,000.00
Original Contract: $100,000.00 (ORD 0380-2026, PO TBD)
Modification #1: $250,000.00 (ORD 0667-2026, PO TBD)
Total $350,000.00
1.2. Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is a three-year agreement for fiscal years 2026 - 2028. Modifications were anticipated and explained in the original legislation under Ordinance 0380-2026.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This is a multi-year contract that will be modified as required to provide construction administration/inspection services for construction projects that bid during the three-year (2026-2028) timeframe. Another procurement process is not required.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
The cost proposal was provided by DLZ, Ohio, Inc., reviewed by the project team, and was deemed acceptable. The fees in the proposal are based upon contract pricing already established for job titles, tasks, and allowable expenses for the contract.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Division of Water projects include rehabilitation of existing water lines, repair to existing water lines, and construction of new water lines. The majority of the projects for this contract will concentrate on emergency repairs of existing water lines thus maintaining a constant and safe water supply.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
DLZ Ohio, Inc. contract compliance number is CC-004939 and expires 7/22/2026. DLZ’s certification was in good standing at the time of contract award.
As part of their proposal, DLZ Ohio, Inc. has proposed the following three subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Dynotec Columbus MBE
Ascension Construction Solutions Columbus MBE
Smoot Construction Columbus MBE
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $250,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
5. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested for this ordinance. The contract will be used for the construction administration/construction inspection services related to the recently declared Mayor’s Emergency for the repair of broken water lines related to the seasonal weather conditions that must be restored to service as quickly as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification for Construction Administration and Inspection Services with DLZ Ohio, Inc; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize an expenditure of up to $250,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contract; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services; and
WHEREAS, DLZ Ohio, Inc. was one of six firms selected by the evaluation committee to provide these services; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0380-2026 authorized the contract with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for these services and assigned the first tasks to be performed; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to add additional funding for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services for the repair of broken water lines related to the seasonal weather conditions that must be restored to service as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director to enter into a contract modification with DLZ Ohio, Inc. for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026 to 2028; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund to align cash and appropriation within the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, funds up to $250,000.00 must be expended to pay for the construction administration and inspection services DLZ Ohio, Inc. provides under the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to execute this contract as quickly as possible in order to perform emergency repairs to broken water lines in the recently declared Mayor’s Emergency in order to ensure a supply of safe water, 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 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6006 / 690510-100000 / HCWP Sludge Disposal Line Repl. - Part I (Voted Water Carryover) / $278,355.00 / $28,355.00 / ($250,000.00)
6006 / 690549-100016 / Construction Administration Services 2026 to 2028 (Voted Water Carryover) / $100,000.00 / $350,000.00 / $250,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract modification with DLZ Ohio, Inc. 6121 Huntley Road, Columbus, OH 43219, for construction administration and inspection services, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities, in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for the Construction Administration Services 2026 to 2028 project.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of funds within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, in an amount up to $250,000.00, is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of not more than $250,000.00 is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures 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 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 8. That for the reasons 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.