Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for the Operational Review and Strategic Planning Consulting Services with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. This contract will include a comprehensive operational review and developing a strategic plan.
The Department consists of the Directors Office as well as three divisions: Water, Power, and Sewerage & Drainage. Total 2022 budgeted full-time equivalents in the department are 1,312. The majority of staff are members of either the Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) or the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME). Members of management are part of the Management Compensation Plan (MCP).
The Department operates three water treatment plants and two waste water treatment plants and maintains approximately 3,500 miles of waterline, 4,500 miles of sewers and 57,500 streetlights. The Division of Power purchases and distributes power to approximately 13,500 customers. The Department has approximately 300,000 water accounts. The Department’s combined operating budget for 2022 is over $712 million and has a 6-year capital improvement plan of over $3 billion.
The project was formally advertised (RFQ023079) on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from October 6, 2022 to November 4, 2022 in accordance with the overall provisions of Section 329 of the Columbus City Code. The city received six (6) responses. All proposals were deemed responsive and were fully evaluated when the Evaluation Committee met on November 16, 2022 to submit final scores and recommended that the Operational Review and Strategic Planning Consulting Services be awarded to Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc. The Director concurred.
This contract is for one (1) year from date of execution, with the option to renew for an additional two (2) years on a year-to-year basis, or a portion thereof, based upon mutual agreement of the parties, availability of funding, and approval by Columbus City Council. Future contract modifications are anticipated. If unforeseen issues or difficulties are encountered that would require additional funding, a modification would be requested. This contract does not automatically renew.
SUPPLIER: Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. Vendor #CC-011256 -MAJ - expires 2/22/24. The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government
FISCAL IMPACT: $160,000.00, sufficient funding has been identified within the Department of Public Utilities for these expenditures.
2021 $0.00
2020 $0.00
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency designation is being requested due to unforeseen delays in the procurement process. This contract is critical to our operations and further delays would cause a disruption of services that are needed for the operational review and planning needs for the Department of Public Utilities.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional consulting services agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for conducting an operational review and developing a strategic plan; to authorize the expenditure of $160,000.00 from the Power Operating Fund, Water Operating Fund, Sanitary Operating Fund, and Storm Operating Fund; and declare an emergency. ($160,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities has a need for professional consulting services related to the Operational Review and Strategic Planning project; and
WHEREAS, six (6) proposals were submitted in response to RFQ023079, Operational Review and Strategic Planning Consulting Services; and
WHEREAS, requests for proposals were opened on November 4, 2022 pursuant to the overall requirements within Columbus City Code 329 and Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. was selected based upon the City’s request for proposal evaluation process; and
WHEREAS, the term of this contract shall be for a period of one (1) year from the date of execution by the City of Columbus, with the ability to renew the contract for two (2) additional one-year periods, with funds being reviewed and approved each year by City Council and Auditor's certification of funds. This contract shall not automatically renew; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for the operational review and strategic planning consulting needs so there is no delay for this service, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; 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 a professional consulting service agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. 19 Garfield Place suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 to support Department of Public Utilities by conducting an operational review and developing a strategic plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement on file in the Office of the Director of Public Utilities. The term of this contract shall be for a period of one (1) year from date of execution with ability to renew for two (2) additional one-year periods upon annual approval by city authorities.
SECTION 2. That the said firm shall conduct the work to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Utilities.
SECTION 3. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 relating to awarding professional service contracts through requests for proposals.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $160,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.