Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Proline Electric Inc., for the SCADA Radio Improvements project, CIP 690522-100002 in an amount up to $9,650,742.50; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $9,652,742.50.
The goal of this project is to replace existing water SCADA System that communicates to the valves, booster stations, & Towers, within the water distribution system. Replacing the communication network will prepare for future use & security in central Ohio. The project will replace aging radio communications, replace the analog system with a modern digital network, and improve the Backup Control Center structure.
The Community Planning Area is 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE: All work shall be complete within 180 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in Aug 2026.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $9,650,742.50, 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, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $ 9,650,742.50
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 9,650,742.50
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
$ 9,652,742.50
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace existing water SCADA System that communicates to the valves, booster stations, & Towers, within the water distribution system. Replacing the communication network will prepare for future use & security in central Ohio. This is vital to the treatment and supply of safe drinking water to Columbus and the Central Ohio area. Safe, compliant water quality and quantity are necessary for community economic growth. The work will occur within areas that are not accessible to the public, so no community outreach is anticipated.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites, formal competitive bids were opened May 20th, 2026. Two bids were received:
Name Bid Amount ODI Status
1. Proline Electric Inc. $9,650,742.50 MAJ
2. The Righter Co., Inc. $10,246,776.00 MAJ
The lowest bid was deemed responsive and responsible. Proline Electric Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of the bid award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Proline Electric Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC005491 and expires 7/11/2027.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Proline Electric Inc
As part of their proposal, Proline Electric Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Accurate Mechanical, Inc. Lancaster, OH MAJ
The certifications of all subcontractors were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Proline Electric Inc. has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. 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 3/2/26. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690522-100002 was not listed in that ordinance. 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 stating City Council’s approval for each project. Ordinance 1659-2026, currently expected to have a first reading with City Council on 6/22/26, seeks City Council’s approval to apply for and accept a loan for this project. This ordinance is contingent upon Ordinance 1659-2026 being approved by City Council and is also contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan for this project.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established for Proline Electric Inc. for this contract, Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to Proline Electric Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is budgeted, appropriated, and available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is necessary to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Proline Electric Inc. for the SCADA Radio Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon City Council approval to accept a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority for this project and upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $9,650,742.50 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the project; and to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($9,652,742.50)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the SCADA Radio Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the SCADA Radio Improvements project were received and opened on May 20, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, most responsive, responsible, and best bid was from Proline Electric Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by City Council on 3/2/26, authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) requires an ordinance to be approved by City Council specifically stating Council approves the Department of Public Utilities applying for and accepting a loan from OWDA for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1659-2026, expected to be on City Council’s 6/22/29 agenda, seeks City Council’s approval to obtain a loan from OWDA for this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon City Council approving Ordinance 1659-2026 and upon OWDA approval for the loan; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Proline Electric Inc. for the SCADA Radio Improvements project, and to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for the contract; 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
6014 / 690522-100002 / SCADA Radio Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $976,921.00 / $10,627,664.00 / $9,650,743.00 (To match loan)
6006 / 690477-100022 / 710 East Tank Painting and Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $2,066,349.00 / $2,069,911.00 / $3,562.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690477-100022 / 710 East Tank Painting and Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $2,069,911.00 / $2,067,911.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690522-100002 / SCADA Radio Improvements (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $9,650,742.50, 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 transfer of up to $2,000.00 is authorized between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. This ordinance is contingent upon City Council approving Ordinance 1659-2026 and upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 5. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the SCADA Radio Improvements project with Proline Electric Inc., 1755 Victor Rd. NW, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, in an amount up to $9,650,742.50; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary construction administration and inspection services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $9,652,742.50, 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 7. 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 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.