REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: ANITA LUERA, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a consultant services agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., to provide engineering design services for wellhead treatment improvements at Pump Station 101A for an amount not to exceed $253,200 (Council District 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council approve a consultant services agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., (AECOM), in the amount of $233,200 plus a contingency of $20,000, for a total amount not to exceed $253,200, to provide engineering design services for wellhead treatment improvements at Pump Station 101A (PS 101A); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Concentrations of the synthetic organic chemical 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) exceeding the regulatory maximum contaminant level have been detected in approximately 33 of the City’s municipal groundwater production wells. Approximately 26 of these wells are currently non-operational due to the presence of TCP and absence of wellhead treatment facilities at these well sites. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Water Division requires consultant services to evaluate groundwater quality data and prepare a Basis of Design report for wellhead treatment improvements at PS 101A. The consultant will also be required to complete an environmental assessment, prepare plans and specifications for construction of the improvements, acquire all related permits, and provide engineering support during bidding and construction.
BACKGROUND
The DPU, Water Division, maintains a water supply network consisting of more than 260 municipal groundwater production wells. The synthetic organic chemical, TCP, has been detected in approximately 100 of the City’s 260 wells. TCP has been used mainly as a solvent and extracting agent and is known to be a by-product in the manufacture of specific soil fumigants known as nematicides. Extensive use of these fumigants is believed to have resulted in the migration of TCP into local groundwater supplies. To date, approximately 33 of the City’s municipal groundwater production wells exceed the regulatory maximum contaminant level for TCP, and of these wells, approximately 26 are currently non-operational due to the absence of wellhead treatment facilities at the corresponding well site. Implementation of wellhead treatment facilities at the impacted well sites is necessary to resume operation of the groundwater production wells and ensure appropriate levels of service are maintained.
The DPU now requires consultant services to evaluate groundwater quality data and prepare a Basis of Design report for wellhead treatment improvements at PS 101A. The consultant will also be required to complete an environmental assessment, prepare plans and specifications for construction of the improvements, acquire all related permits, and provide engineering support during bidding and construction.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19, the DPU conducted a competitive process in soliciting qualified consultants to provide professional services for well site improvement and wellhead treatment design on an as-needed basis. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consulting services was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on January 28, 2022. Email notifications containing details of the RFQ were sent to 35 potential candidates. The DPU received a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) from seven interested consultants. A selection committee comprised of representatives from the DPU’s Utilities Planning & Engineering Division evaluated the SOQs and on March 7, 2022 selected four consultants to be placed on a shortlist. The shortlist will allow the DPU to obtain professional services as needed and will remain in effect for a period of three years. Upon completing a fee negotiation process with the consultants on the shortlist, AECOM was selected to provide the professional services for wellhead treatment design at PS 101A.
A standard Consultant Services Agreement has been used, without modification, in accordance with Administrative Order 4-4. The Consultant’s Certificates of Insurance have been approved by the City’s Risk Management Division. Upon approval by City Council, the consultant services agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract is not a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as all proposing firms are local businesses pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-109(b).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for these services is included in the Water Division’s Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Improvement Program budget within the Water Enterprise Funds 40101.
Attachment: Consultant Services Agreement