REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY BARFIELD, Assistant City Manager and Interim Director
Department of Transportation
BY: CAROLINA ILIC, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
SHELLE O’BRIEN, Project Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the professional consultant agreement with PCubed Associates for the FAX Maintenance Facility HVAC and Building Improvements project to provide additional design and engineering services in the amount of $99,300.00.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the First Amendment to the professional consultant agreement with PCubed Associates, in the amount of $99,300.00, to provide additional design and engineering services necessary to replace the existing compressed natural gas (CNG) emergency ventilation system exhaust fans, provide additional ducting for the new hydrogen (H2) emergency gas detection and ventilation system, add a fire pump, replace the existing 125 kW emergency generator with a 300kW generator, and authorize the Director of Transportation or designee to execute all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation/FAX (Department) is seeking this first amendment to the existing professional consulting agreement with PCubed Associates for additional design and engineering services necessary to support the FAX Maintenance Facility HVAC and Building Improvements project, at a cost of $99,300.00, for a total contract value of $632,900.00. The Project will provide improvements to the bus maintenance building roof, HVAC equipment, gas detection system and rollup doors. This first amendment provides for the additional engineering and design work necessary to upgrade the existing CNG exhaust fans with modern National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant devices that are now explosion-proof, additional ventilation ducting necessary to complete the H2 emergency detection and ventilation system, as well as a new fire pump and upgraded emergency generator.
BACKGROUND
FAX entered into a consultant agreement with PCubed Associates on November 17, 2022, to provide design and engineering services for the FAX Maintenance Facility HVAC and Building Improvements Project. The scope of the project includes improvements to the existing maintenance building facilities located at 2223 G Street. The scope of work includes replacement of the HVAC equipment, full replacement of the existing roof, an all-new H2 gas detection system to support the arrival of the fleet’s first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses and upgraded insulated rollup doors. These improvements are all intended to make the facilities safer, more energy efficient, and meet the regulatory requirements of operating a zero-emission fleet which FAX is mandated to convert to by 2040.
This first amendment is necessary for the project’s success because the existing CNG exhaust system does not utilize explosion-proof devices which are now required per the NFPA codes. It was also found that the existing fire sprinkler system is insufficient as well. In addition, a new fire pump and a larger capacity emergency generator are also needed to comply with NFPA codes. To leave the existing devices as-is would leave a tremendous point of vulnerability within FAX’s emergency life-safety systems. FAX continues to operate CNG fueled vehicles and will continue to do so up until the 2040 conversion to a fully zero-emission fleet. FAX is seeking to maintain the safety systems related to these vehicles according to the highest standards to ensure the health and safety of the Department’s staff.
FAX is also seeking to decommission and remove equipment and systems that are either obsolete or beyond their useful life. One such system is the paint booth gantry within the Maintenance Building’s paint booth. This system is nonfunctional but has remained because it is part of the emergency exit system from the south end of the building’s roof. To simplify and improve the emergency exit system from the rooftop, allow for a more efficient H2 emergency ventilation ducting pathway, and leave FAX with the option to install a new functioning paint gantry in the future, changes to the existing scope must be made. The H2 ventilation ducting is being rerouted from the original 30% design so that it can be run through the paint booth area which will allow hydrogen fuel cell buses to be painted in this area without having to defuel first. This reroute will also allow for the use of external emergency exit equipment from the roof that is simpler and safer to operate for staff. The pathway of this ducting is being run with the intent to leave enough space for a future piece of painting equipment to be installed through a future project. The current gantry system was built in such a way that it occupies much of the air space in this room making it challenging to install and maintain fire suppression systems, HVAC ducting, or any other equipment in this space.
The City Attorney has reviewed the amendment and approved it as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purpose of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as this is an amendment being sought for an existing contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no fiscal impact to the General Fund. This amendment will be funded from State of California Prop 1B grants.
Attachment:
First Amendment to PCubed Associates Agreement
Agreement with PCubed Associates