Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract on behalf of the Office of Construction Management with General Temperature Control for the installation of a new backup chiller at Columbus Public Health, located at 240 Parsons Avenue.
In late 2015, the Office of Construction Management became aware of mechanical issues associated with the backup chiller at Columbus Public Health. It was the original intent to conduct a condition assessment, repair any faulty mechanicals, and return the chiller to operational status. The condition assessment revealed extensive deterioration to the unit, requiring complete replacement of the chiller tubing infrastructure with an associated cost of approximately $125,000, which was cost prohibitive given that the unit was already beyond its useful life. It was therefore determined that it was in the City's best interest to replace the existing unit with a new chiller.
Star Architects was engaged to design the acquisition and installation of a new backup chiller and this design process was completed in December 2015. Due to the City's year-end fiscal closeout period and the transition to a new accounting and online bidding system (Bid Express), the Office of Construction Management was unable to process a competitive bid through normal City processes. However, the Office of Construction Management contacted three HVAC construction firms (General Temperature Control, Farber Corporation, and Kirk Williams Company). Each of these firms were provided with the official design assessment/recommendation produced by Star Architects and each firm was asked to submit an informal quote to the Office of Construction Management within six days of receipt (on or before January 28, 2016).
Informal quotes were solicited and the City received 3 quotes/bids on January 28, 2016 as follows:
General Temperature Control $460,000.00
Farber Corporation $466,500.00
The Kirk Willi...
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