REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director
General Services Department
BY: ROBIN O’MALLEY, Facilities Manager
General Services Department, Facilities Management Division
DEBBIE BERNARD, Project Manager
General Services Department, Facilities Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Municipal Service Center Electrical Infrastructure and Rehab project:
1. Adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301(b) Existing Facilities and Section 15302(c) Replacement or Reconstruction of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract to A-C Electric Company of Bakersfield, California, in the amount of $10,147,090 for the construction of the Municipal Service Center Electrical Infrastructure and Rehab project (Bid File 12300704) (District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption and award a construction contract to A-C Electric Company of Bakersfield, California, for $10,147,090 for the Municipal Service Center (MSC) Electrical Infrastructure and Rehab project and authorize the Director of General Services or designee to execute all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The MSC was constructed in the 1970’s and is the central hub for core City services. These services include Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Traffic Operations Center, Street Maintenance, Solid Waste Management, 911 backup center, fuel stations, and houses critical citywide communication infrastructure. The MSC’s current electrical infrastructure is obsolete, does not meet current safety requirements, and parts are no longer manufactured. To bridge the gap, refurbished parts have been used to keep systems operating, however this is becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain. As exhibited by recent power outages, the existing infrastructure cannot reliably provide back-up power to Building I, supporting critical citywide communications. This includes back-up 911 center communications, one of the City’s two internet connections, connectivity for vehicle computers in police vehicles, bus rapid transit security cameras, traffic signal priority systems, and network services within the MSC.
This project focuses on the replacement of the end-of-life electrical infrastructure at the MSC. It also replaces the single existing generator with three separate generators increasing the capability of emergency backup power systems.
BACKGROUND
Located at 2101 ‘G’ Street, the MSC sits on approximately 27.11 acres, has 26 buildings or canopy structures within its campus. The MSC is home to many core City services. These services include Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Traffic Operations Center, Street Maintenance, Solid Waste Management, 911 backup center, LNG fuel station, unleaded fuel station, and houses critical citywide communication infrastructure. The Department of Transportation bus yard is located at the MSC, however it has separate electrical and emergency backup systems.
The MSC electrical infrastructure is original to the MSC build out in the 1970s. The main switchboards are well past their useful life and parts are no longer available, making repairs difficult. The MSC is currently fed by a 4000 Amp (4000A) service from PG&E and a 144-kiloWatt (kW) emergency backup generator. The emergency generator provides very limited power to the MSC and is not reliable due to the age of the infrastructure and generator.
This project was first initiated in FY2018/19. The project was not designed to address the California Air Resource Board Advanced Clean Fleets mandate of April 28, 2023, and will require significant additional investment beyond this project to pay for the additional infrastructure and electric vehicle chargers. The existing infrastructure must be replaced before additional power can be sought from PG&E for fleet electrification. PG&E recently communicated that the MSC power grid is operating at maximum capacity and cannot accommodate any additional electrical needs from the City until upgrades are completed by PG&E in a few years.
In addition, power for the new 911 dispatch center is not included in this project. The new 911 dispatch center is assumed to require a new electrical feed from PG&E, as the electrical loads are anticipated to be significant and warrant a separate feed from the utility.
This project focuses on the replacement of the end-of-life electrical infrastructure supporting the core services in the Municipal Service Center. The existing equipment is no longer repairable and does not meet current safety standards. Replacement infrastructure includes 4000A, 1200A, multiple 1000A, multiple 600A and 400A switchboards completely overhauling the MSC electrical main distribution. It also replaces the single existing generator with three separate generators increasing the capability of emergency backup services at the MSC. The new generators will total 950kW combined.
A new 300kW (500A) generator will provide full power to Building I, supporting critical citywide communications. This includes back-up 911 center communications, one of the City’s two internet connections, connectivity for vehicle computers in police vehicles, bus rapid transit security cameras, traffic signal priority systems, and network services within the MSC.
A new 400kW (600A) generator will provide full power to the existing 911 backup center in Building A, including critical building services such as ISD’s network distribution equipment, HVAC, lighting, and Police Department’s dispatch system.
A new 250kW (400A) generator will provide full power to the Traffic Operations Center, LNG and gasoline fueling stations, and emergency circuits for the remainder of the campus.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on October 5, 2022, distributed to six building exchanges, and posted on the City’s website. The specifications were distributed to 31 prospective bidders. One bid proposal was received and opened in a public bid opening on November 1, 2022. The sole bidder has agreed to extend their bid through July 31, 2023.
The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that a Categorical Exemption is appropriate, based on Section 15301(b) Existing Facilities and Section 15302(c) Replacement or Reconstruction of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301(b) exempts the repair or minor alteration of existing publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power. Section 15302(c) exempts the replacement of existing utility systems involving negligible expansion of capacity. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Staff recommends Council, based upon its own independent judgment, adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(b) and Section 15302(c) of the CEQA Guidelines for the MSC Electrical Infrastructure and Rehab project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local company as defined by FMC Section 4-108.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general funds shall be used for this project. The total cost of this project is estimated at $11,704,384. This project will be funded by $7,704,384 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $4,000,000 from the MSC Repair and Replacement fund as appropriated in the FY2024 adopted budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Standard Contract