Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with GS-OH, Inc. via the City’s Request for Proposal process for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements, CIP 690236-100162, in an amount up to $360,021.21.
The purpose of this project is to construct necessary improvements to the water distribution system in the Chittenden Ave Area. The improvements identified in the scope of work will replace or rehabilitate water lines that have high break histories and require frequent maintenance. This project includes replacing or rehabilitating approximately 10,160 linear feet of 2-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 16-in water lines and transferring existing services. The streets include Chittenden Avenue, First Alley East of Neil Avenue, W. 10th Avenue, Highland Street, Grogan Avenue, Grogan Avenue/Oxford Street, Second Alley South of E. 11th Avenue, Second Alley East of Cleveland Avenue, Summit Street, Hamlet Street, E. 6th Avenue, Gill Alley, Hull Street, First Alley West of Summit Street, Brickel Street, First Alley West of Summit Street, Indianola Avenue, E. Lane Avenue, Y Alley East, First Alley South of E. Maynard Avenue, First Alley East of North 4th Street, North 4th Street, and East Tompkins Street.
This project is located within the University District (44), Italian Village (47), and Milo-Grogan (48) Community Areas.
TIMELINE: The duration of the design phase for this project is estimated to be 12 months.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $360,021.21, including a 15% design 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 $360,021.21
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $360,021.21
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace or rehabilitate the existing 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 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 January 12, 2024 through February 16, 2024. Six proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State Status
Moody Engineering, LLC CC012301 5/30/25 Columbus/OH MBE
T&M Associates CC001614 5/24/24 Columbus/OH MAJ
Gresham Smith, Inc CC009789 1/23/26 Columbus/OH MAJ
Dynotec, Inc. CC005053 1/30/26 Columbus/OH MBE
E.P. Ferris and Associates, Inc. CC004823 4/7/25 Columbus/OH MAJ
OHM Advisors CC007505 10/16/25 Columbus/OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements project be awarded to GS-OH, Inc.
GS-OH, Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
GS-OH, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC009789 and expires 1/26/26.
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This contract was advertised with an anticipated City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal of 15% as assigned by the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). After ODI’s review of the Utilization Plan and other related information the contractor submitted with their bid response, ODI has approved an MBE/WBE Program goal of 15% for this contract.
As part of their proposal, GS-OH, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
CCI Engineering Services Columbus, Ohio WBE
The certification of GS-OH, Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this 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.
The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to GS-OH, Inc. for this contract. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to GS-OH, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2023 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a design contract with GS-OH, Inc. for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $360,021.21 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($360,021.21)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, six proposals for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements project were received and opened on February 16, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended GS-OH, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0652-2024 authorized this contract to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with GS-OH, Inc. for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds to pay for the services GS-OH, Inc. provides under this contract; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1711-2023 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 / 690236-100162 / Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $360,021.00 / $360,021.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $360,021.21, 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 3. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the Chittenden Ave Area Water Line Improvements, CIP 690236-100162 with GS-OH, Inc., 10 West Broad Street, Suite 1650, Columbus, Ohio 43215; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $360,021.21, 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. This ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 6. 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 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.