Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $115,000.00. The original contract was authorized by Ordinance 3117-2022.
Go Sustainable Energy, LLC, will advise Columbus Water & Power (CWP) on various renewable energy and energy efficiency matters that are of interest to CWP, the Division of Power (DOP) and Sustainable Columbus. This work will support the City’s 100% municipal clean energy procurement goal by 2030 and the City’s 25% municipal energy reduction goal by 2030, among other energy and efficiency goals outlined in the Columbus Climate Action Plan (2021). This work will be performed in a manner that is consistent with the City’s existing power supply commitments.
The work includes a variety of tasks and subtasks, including, but not limited to, updates of the Division of Power’s (DOP) economic model, an analysis and mapping of DOP circuit capacity, DPU and DOP microgrid analysis, rate structure analysis and recommendations, energy audits and subsequent recommendations, Southerly solar optimization, export analysis, community solar assistance, utility programing, and energy efficiency support.
Procurement:
Columbus Water & Power solicited competitive proposals through Vendor Services and Bonfire from June 9th, 2022, to July 8th, 2022, for consulting services related to Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code, RFQ022065. Four bids were received and were all deemed responsive and were evaluated on July 14th, 2022. The evaluation committee determined that Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. submitted the strongest proposal because of the relevant experience of its project team, its understanding of the Department’s needs, and presented a tailored approach to address those needs.
The original term of the contract was for a period of one-year up to and including January 31st, 2024, with yearly renewal options for an additional two years, for a maximum approved contract length of three years, on a year-by-year basis, authorized by Ordinance 3117-2022. The contract amount authorized was $380,000.00.
Ordinance 2998-2023 authorized the first renewal increasing the funding allocations by $280,000.00 and extended the contract through January 31st, 2025.
Ordinance 2570-2024 authorized the second renewal increasing the funding allocations by $280,000.00 and extended the contract through January 31st, 2026.
Ordinance 2523-2025 authorized the first modification increasing the funding allocations by $250,000.00 and extended the contract through January 31st, 2027.
This ordinance authorizes the second modification of the contract, adding $115,000.00 of funding and extending the contract through March 31st, 2028, and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code. Additional modifications will be requested, as needed, in future years to continue supporting the project. For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on availability within the budget, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor. This contract does not automatically renew. If unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be requested.
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract modification #2 is $115,000.00. Total contract amount including this modification is $1,305,000.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds was not known at the time of the initial contract and this legislation authorizes funding and an extension of time to cover a continuation of the consultant’s work to allow for enough time to bid and award a new contract for this service next year.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: This modification is a continuation of the original contract. No lower pricing or more attractive terms and conditions are anticipated at this time.
4. How was cost determined: The modification is based upon estimated rates established in the original contract.
Principal Party:
Go Sustainable Energy, LLC.
5701 north High Street, Suite 112
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Gregory Raffio, (614) 285-5785
Contract Compliance Number: 001432
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: September 18th, 2028
Fiscal Impact: $115,000.00 is available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$200,319.00 was spent in 2025
$351,277.00 was spent in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to modify an existing agreement with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; and to authorize the expenditure of $115,000.00 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($115,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. to provide services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $115,000.00 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director to modify the existing agreement to extend the term up to and including March 31st, 2028; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of Columbus Water & Power in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Columbus Water & Power be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC. for consulting services related to the Climate Action Plan and associated Comprehensive Energy Management Plan. The amount being authorized by this ordinance is $115,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this contract modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify the existing agreement with Go Sustainable Energy, LLC to extend the term of the agreement up to and including March 31st, 2028.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $115,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from Public Utilities in object class 03 Services, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.