REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
PAUL AMICO, PE, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: CasSIE L. SCHOLZ, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities Project Management Division
SAMUEL C. NADORES, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Utilities Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Emergency Power Generator B-Switchgear and Headworks at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 12601534) (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1(a) and (b) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a Construction Contract to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC, of Selma, California, in the amount of $3,135,000.00 (Bid File 12601534)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Sections15301/Class 1 (a) and (b) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the Emergency Power Generator B-Switchgear and Headworks at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Project), and award a Construction Contract to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC., in the amount of $3,135,000.00, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Facility) is a critical facility that must continue receiving power during electricity outages. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) selected natural gas generators as the most reliable source of backup power for the site, and purchased three (3) 2,500 kW natural gas emergency generators through a cooperative purchase agreement with Caterpillar.
The Capital Projects Department now seeks to award a Construction Contract to Dawson-Mauldin LLC., following a competitive bidding process that identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $3,135,000.00. The Construction Contract includes installation of the generators and all required connections and appurtenances, existing switchgear modifications for automatic transfer switch control, and installation of gas supply pipeline. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Wastewater Operating Fund.
BACKGROUND
The Facility is responsible for the treatment and reclamation of wastewater generated by the residential, commercial, and industrial sewer customers in the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area. As wastewater reclamation is considered a vital service to the public, the Facility has been placed on the Block 50 exemption list by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), the Facility energy provider. This means the Facility is recognized as a critical facility that must continue receiving power even during planned electricity outages. Other facilities commonly on the Block 50 exemption list include: fire and police stations, acute care hospitals, communication utilities, radio and television emergency broadcasting stations, electric utility facilities, fuel transportation, and drinking water treatment facilities. However, placement on the list is only temporary, and DPU must install backup generators that can adequately support critical loads.
The Facility’s current electrical power system is fed from 70 kV PG&E transmission lines, the energy from which is converted to 12 kV by City-owned 10 MVA substations. If a substation or feeder fails, the other substation would provide all plant power through a tie breaker. If the transmission lines or both substations are down, an alternate PG&E 12 kV feeder can be brought in through a 12 kV breaker at the Facility. The established peak hourly demand at the Facility is 7.2 MW. If power is completely unavailable, the emergency generator system would need to serve this demand.
On March 2, 2022, the City entered into a Consultant Services Agreement with Electrical Power Systems, Inc., for professional engineering services for the design of the Project. This included sizing of backup generators to support the critical loads at the Facility for the peak hourly demand, and the design of all required connections and appurtenances, existing switchgear modifications for automatic transfer switch control, gas supply pipeline, preparation of an operations plan, and assistance with the initial startup.
To meet the Facility’s 7.2 MW peak hourly demand, DPU purchased three (3) 2,500 kW natural gas emergency generators with a total 7.5 MW capacity through a cooperative purchase agreement with Caterpillar. DPU evaluated both diesel and natural gas generators and selected natural gas primarily due to the availability and reliability of the fuel supply. Natural gas was preferred to diesel due to potential diesel supply shortages caused by the widespread use of diesel fueled generators during prolonged power outages. For natural gas generators, there are three (3) possible fuel supply sources: (1) PG&E natural gas lines, (2) liquified natural gas that may be delivered via a tanker truck to the Facility, and (3) future renewable natural gas generated at the Facility.
Following preparation of Project plans and specifications and purchase of the generators, the Project was advertised for construction. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on March 25, 2026, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. Specifications were distributed to 30 prospective bidders and posted at three (3) Building Exchanges. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on May 5, 2026, with bids ranging from $3,135,000.00 to $5,929,259.75. Dawson-Mauldin, LLC., submitted a bid in the amount of $3,135,000.00 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids are set to expire on July 8, 2026.
This contract is covered by the Community Workforce Agreement (or Project Labor Agreement, PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021. The Contractor shall become signatory to the PLA by executing the Agreement To Be Bound.
Staff recommends City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 (a) and (b) (Existing Facilities), award a Construction Contract in the amount of $3,135,000.00 to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff have reviewed the scope and nature of this Project and determined that it is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 (a) and (b) (Existing Facilities) Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 applies to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Dawson-Mauldin LLC of Selma, California is a local business located within 25 miles of City Hall, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Project is located in Council District 3 and has no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Wastewater Operations Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Sample Contract
Formal Procurement Evaluation Form
Vicinity Map
Location Map