Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. (EMH&T) 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.
EMH&T will perform construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities Capital Improvement Projects that bid during the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The contract will be modified as needed throughout the three-year period to include these projects as they go to construction. Projects are located throughout the City of Columbus.
The following are the initial projects to be assigned to the contract:
• Lexington Ave Area Water Line Improvements, CIP No. 690236-100133; Planning Areas = 40 - North Linden and 45 - South Linden $726,068.92
• CA-CI for General Water Construction Projects, CIP No. 690549-100016; Planning Area = 99 - Citywide; $75,000.00
EMH&T 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 EMH&T will be added to their Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract as tasks, and the contract will be modified to authorize EMH&T additional work and additional funding to pay for the work.
2. PROCUREMENT
The Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 8/11/25 through 9/19/25 in order to solicit proposals for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contracts with the intention of awarding contracts to multiple companies. Proposals were received from the following companies:
|
Name |
CC No. |
Exp. Date |
City/State |
Status |
|
DLZ Ohio |
CC-004939 |
7/22/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Stantec |
CC-000462 |
7/28/2023 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
EMH&T |
CC-004214 |
11/8/2025 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Resource International. |
CC-004197 |
6/5/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
WBE |
|
CTL Engineering |
CC-004209 |
6/26/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Prime CMS |
CC-024771 |
2/25/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Hatch Associates Consultants |
CC025646 |
2/26/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Black & Veatch |
CC008038 |
8/11/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Smoot Construction |
CC-004871 |
3/7/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
Hill International |
CC-000990 |
11/30/2025 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Quality Control Inspection |
CC025185 |
4/2/2020 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
Mannik Smith |
CC-006578 |
9/17/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MAJ |
|
G. Stephens |
CC006823 |
4/21/2027 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
|
CORPI LLC |
MBE034417 |
5/23/2026 |
Columbus, OH |
MBE |
All proposals were considered responsive and were evaluated by the evaluation committee. The seven companies with proposals scored the highest by the evaluation committee will be offered contracts if City Council approves. The seven companies (in score order) are: DLZ, Stantec, EMH&T, Resource International, CTL Engineering, Prime CMS, and Hatch Associates Consultants.
3. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Division of Water projects include replacement or rehabilitation of water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
EMH&T’s contract compliance number is CC-004214 and expires 10/17/2027. EMH&T’s certification was in good standing at the time of contract award.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against EMH&T.
As part of their proposal, EMH&T has proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
DHDC Columbus MBE
5. FISCAL IMPACT
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, in the amount of $726,068.92. Funds in the amount of $75,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Water Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
The Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract for the Lexington Ave Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP No. 690236-100133 is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by Council on 4/28/25. The loan is expected to be approved in April of 2026. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. The WSRLA program is now a reimbursement program. The Department of Public Utilities will pay invoices for the work performed and then submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for Construction Administration and Inspection Services with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for the Lexington Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project and General Water Construction Projects; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $726,068.92 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund and an expenditure of up to $75,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund for the contract; and to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project. ($801,068.92)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100137, and the General Water Construction Projects; and
WHEREAS, a construction contract has been awarded for the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, construction administration and construction inspection services must be performed on the construction work; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities advertised a Request for Proposals for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services; and
WHEREAS, Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. was one of seven firms selected by the evaluation committee to provide these services; 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 appropriate and expend funds from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, to pay for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services of the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project; 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, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006 to pay for the construction administration and inspection services Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. provides under the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract;
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by Council on 4/28/2025, authorized the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority which is anticipated to occur in April of 2026; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services to be performed on the construction of the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100133 and General Water Construction Projects; 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
6011 / 690236-100133 / Lexington Area Water Line Improvements (WSRLA Loan) / $5,229,634.00 / $5,955,703 / $726,069.00 (To match the loan amount)
6006 / 690473-100018 / Indianola Booster Station Demolition (Voted Water Carryover) / $261,533.00 / $186,533.00 / ($75,000.00)
6006 / 690549-100016 / Construction Administration Services 2026 to 2028 (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $75,000.00 / $75,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $726,068.92, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of funds within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, in an amount up to $75,000.00, is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $801,068.92, 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 the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. 5500 New Albany Road, Columbus, Ohio 43054, 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 $75,000.00 for General Water Construction Projects and in an amount not to exceed $726,068.92 for the Lexington Drive Area Water Line Improvements project.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan for the Lexington Road Area Water Line Improvements project.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.