REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SARAH AGUILA, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Award a consultant services agreement to AM Consulting Engineers, Inc., to provide engineering services for the 2-Water Booster Pump Station Redundancy Improvements at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility for an amount not to exceed $187,590, inclusive of a $18,000 contingency (Bid File 12300511-1) (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council award a consultant services agreement to AM Consulting Engineers, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $187,590, inclusive of a $18,000 contingency, to provide design, bidding, and construction support services for the 2-Water Booster Pump Station Redundancy Improvements at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Facility) relies on untreated non-potable water (2-water) production and conveyance for the functionality of critical equipment. After a competitive consultant selection process, the Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division, is seeking to award a consultant services agreement (Agreement) for the Project to evaluate the existing 2-water pump station, design a redundant system, and provide bidding and construction support services for the Project, for an amount not to exceed $187,590, inclusive of an $18,000 contingency.
BACKGROUND
The 2-water booster pump station is a critical system at the Facility as it provides water to the mechanical pumps, raw sewage pumps and heat exchangers and serves as a large source of non-potable cleaning water. When the 2-water booster pumps are out of service, the Facility’s operations are susceptible to interruption and reliant equipment are susceptible to permanent damage. A redundant system to the current 2-water booster pump station would allow for continuous operations as well as allow staff to perform more regular routine service and maintenance of 2-water booster pump station components, thereby extending their useful life. This Project will evaluate the existing 2-water pump station, perform a hydraulic analysis downstream of the booster pumps, propose various configurations for a redundant system, and result in the design documents necessary for bidding and construction.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19 (AO 6-19), the Department of Public Utilities conducted a competitive process to select a consultant to provide design services for the Project. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was published in the Business Journal and posted on Planet Bids on October 21, 2022. On November 18, the City received two Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) packages from prospective consultants. Pursuant to AO 6-19, the RFQ required the consultants to provide detailed information regarding the experience of the firm and proposed team along with additional project related scope items necessary to perform the requested services. Upon review of the received SOQs and based upon established criteria and the proposed fee, AM Consulting Engineers, Inc., was selected as the firm providing the best value for the requested services. The services rendered under this Agreement will be completed for an amount not to exceed $187,590, inclusive of an $18,000 contingency, paid on a time and materials basis. The funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 capital improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
A standardized Agreement has been used in accordance with Administrative Order 4-4, and the consultant’s Certificates of Insurance have been approved by the City’s Risk Management Division. Upon approval by the City Council, the Agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or his designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this Agreement for the design services does not qualify as a “Project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference pursuant to the Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-109(b) was implemented by extending a 5% preference to AM Consulting Engineers, Inc., which provided certification as a local business. The 5% preference was incorporated into the evaluation criteria for the SOQs. The other prospective consultant did not provide certification as a local business and did not receive the 5% preference during the SOQ evaluations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 capital improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501. The Project is located in Council District 3.
Attachment 1 - Consultant Services Agreement