Explanation
1.0 BACKGROUND: This Ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the professional services agreement with EMA, Inc. for the Advanced Metering System (AMS) Study and Implementation Project, Division of Water Contract No. 2073.
Under Original Contract No. EL017444, the Department of Public Utilities contracted with EMA, Inc. to assist in Phase 1 of the contract which was to develop and recommend a strategy, roadmap, and implementation plan of an Advanced Metering System (AMS) for water and electric meters. Under this phase, EMA, Inc. evaluated state-of-the-art AMS technologies; evaluated and compared cost impacts; developed a detailed implementation schedule; and assisted the City in budgetary planning efforts.
Modification No. 1 occurred in May 2017 to procure Phase 2 Services, which included preparation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an AMS system that clearly defined the City’s objectives and requirements.
Modification No. 2 occurred in June 2019 to provide Phase 3 and Phase 4 Services, which included coordination of the AMS System vendor selection process, assisting the City in negotiating the technical requirements of the project so a final scope and cost could be determined for the project solution, and program management assistance.
Modification No. 3 occurred in October 2021 to provide continued Phase 3 and Phase 4 Services. This included coordination of AMS business process development, program management assistance during the implementation of the project, and coordinating the system installation, system interface development and testing plans.
Modification No. 4 (current) is a planned modification to continue providing Phase 4 Services. These services include continued program management assistance during implementation from Proof of Concept through mass meter installations, introduction to the customer portal, vendor management, area management, continued public outreach communications, installations inspections, and reporting.
Future modifications were anticipated and expected as outlined in Ordinance No's 1597-2015, 0797-2017, 1847-2019, and 2572-2021.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $750,000.00
Original agreement: $369,077.71 (EL017444)
Modification No. 1: $550,000.00 (PO065223)
Modification No. 2: $750,000.00 (PO218378)
Modification No. 3: $750,000.00 (PO304311)
Modification No. 4 (current): $750,000.00
Total to Date: $3,169,077.71
1.2. Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is a planned modification as indicated in the original authorizing legislation, Ordinance No. 1597-2015, as well as the following modifications under Ordinance No’s 0797-2017, 1847-2019, and 2572-2021.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
Modifications to the agreement were planned as part of the original Request for Proposals RFP. Additionally, the current consultant is familiar with the project and has completed all the work to-date. Bidding the work to another consultant will further delay the project and will result in higher costs due to bringing the new consultant up to speed on the project.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
A cost proposal was provided by EMA, Inc. The proposal was reviewed by Department staff and deemed acceptable.
2.0 FUTURE CONTRACT MODIFICATION(S): Due to the volume of meter installations this phase is projected to last the remainder of the project and will need annual funding through the project completion, which is estimated to be January 2027.
The planning area is “99 - N/A” as this project serves multiple planning areas.
3.0 ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT:
An AMS program is favorable to the DPU’s operations and customer service functions, as replacing older water and electrical meters will improve service, decrease burden on maintenance operations, reduce water loss, and improve revenue. Moving from quarterly to monthly billing will have a positive impact on customers as the bills will be more manageable in both cost and time.
4.0 CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFO: 41-1467091; expires 10/7/23, Majority. DAX Vendor No. is 007843.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against EMA, Inc.
5.0 FISCAL IMPACT: There is sufficient cash and budgetary authority for this project within the Water G.O. Bond Fund - Fund No. 6006.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned modification of the professional services agreement with EMA, Inc. for the Advanced Metering System Project; for the Division of Water; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $750,000.00 from the Water General Obligations Bond Fund. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, contract No. EL017444 was authorized by Ordinance No. 1597-2015, passed July 20, 2015, was executed on August 21, 2015, and approved by the City Attorney on September 2, 2015, for the Advanced Metering System Study and Implementation Project; and
WHEREAS, modification No. 1 under Contract No. PO065223 was authorized by Ordinance No. 0797-2017, passed May 1, 2017, was executed on June 2, 2017, approved by the City Attorney on June 6, 2017, and established funding for Phase 2, preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP); and
WHEREAS, modification No. 2 under Contract No. PO218378 was authorized by Ordinance No. 1847-2019, passed July 29, 2019, was executed on March 10, 2020, approved by the City Attorney on March 12, 2020, and established funding for Phase 3 and Phase 4 Services, which include continued coordination of the AMS System vendor selection process and program management assistance during the implementation of the project; and
WHEREAS, modification No. 3 under Contract No. PO304311 was authorized by Ordinance No. 2572-2021, passed November 1, 2021, was executed on December 10, 2021, approved by the City Attorney on December 17, 2021, established funding for Phase 3 and Phase 4 services which include continued coordination of AMS business process development and program management assistance during the implementation of the project; and
WHEREAS, modification No. 4 (current) a planned modification to continue providing Phase 4 Services, which include: continued program management assistance during implementation from Proof of Concept through mass meter installations, introduction to the customer portal, vendor management, area management, continued public outreach communications, installations inspections, and reporting; and
WHEREAS, due to the volume of meter installations, future modifications are anticipated through project completion, estimated to be January 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the professional services agreement with EMA, Inc. for the Advanced Metering System Study and Implementation Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds within the Water G.O. Bond Fund, for the Division of Water; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities modify the professional services agreement with EMA, Inc., for the Advanced Metering System Study and Implementation Project; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized and directed to modify and increase the professional services agreement with EMA, Inc., 2355 HWY 36 W, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55113, for the Advanced Metering System Project, in an amount up to $750,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this contract modification is in compliance with Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes. Future modifications are anticipated through project completion, estimated to be January 2027.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $750,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6006 - Water G.O. Bonds Fund, in Object Class 06, Capital Outlay, 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 hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance 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 no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.