Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project with Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) to assess the biology and water quality of the Scioto River, Olentangy River and other area waterways. The Assessment project will support the Division of Sewerage and Drainage’s (DOSD) continued compliance with the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The contract will run from the date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including December 31, 2023. This project will provide information about the health of area waterways to measure water quality improvements resulting from the City’s ongoing operations and capital improvement program (CIP) projects under Blueprint Columbus and at the City’s WWTPs.
The project includes a biological and habitat assessment, which includes fish, habitat and macroinvertebrate sampling, and a chemical assessment. The latter includes large river nutrient parameters consistent with the approach used in regulatory rulemaking and additional parameters commonly included in the assessment of municipal wastewater and urban stormwater effects. This assessment also includes chemical sampling of nutrients, metals, toxics, organics and demand parameters and will include deployment of four (4) datasondes between mid-May and mid-October and assess the feasibility of installing permanent locations.
Midwest Biodiversity Institute will prepare and submit final reports consistent with the standards under the Ohio Credible Data Law and Regulations.
This ordinance is submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code for not-for-profit service contracts.
SUPPLIER:
Midwest Biodiversity Institute FID #31-1559845, DAX #005569, Expires April 16, 2022.
Midwest Biodiversity Institute is a Non-Profit Organization and does not hold MBE/WBE status.
The Institute is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$276,157.69 is budgeted and available within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund for this purchase.
$51,410.00 was spent in 2021
$169,135.01 was spent in 2020
$0.00 was spent in 2019
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with Midwest Biodiversity Institute for the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project in accordance with the not-for-profit service contract provisions of City Code Chapter 329, and to authorize the expenditure of $276,157.69 from the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund. ($276,157.69)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need to enter into an agreement with Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) to assess the biology and water quality in the Scioto River, Olentangy River and other area waterways to support the Division of Sewerage and Drainage’s (DOSD) continued compliance with the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); and
WHEREAS, the Midwest Biodiversity Institute is a scientific research and education non-profit organization dedicated to the development and application of scientific methods and techniques to evaluate, protect and restore the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project includes a biological and habitat assessment and a chemical assessment. The bioassessment includes fish, habitat and macroinvertebrate sampling, while the chemical assessment includes large river nutrient parameters consistent with the approach used in regulatory rulemaking and additional parameters commonly included in the assessment of urban stormwater impacts, including chemical sampling of nutrients, metals, toxics, organics and demand parameters. This assessment will also include the deployment of four (4) datasondes; and
WHEREAS, Midwest Biodiversity Institute will prepare and submit final reports consistent with the standards under the Ohio Credible Data Law and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the contract will run from the date of execution by the City of Columbus through and including December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, if unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be requested; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code regarding not-for-profit service contracts; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $276,157.69, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement for the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project with Midwest Biodiversity Institute; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Midwest Biodiversity Institute, 4673 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, for the Middle Scioto River Biological and Water Quality Assessment project, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code regarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 2. That said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Utilities and the Administrator of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $276,157.69 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.