REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 24, 2019
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Supervising Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Award a consultant services agreement to AARC Consultants, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $163,100 for performing America’s Water Infrastructure Act Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan Preparation for the City of Fresno’s water system infrastructure (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council award a consultant services agreement to AARC Consultants, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $163,100, including a contingency of $15,000, for performing the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA), Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan Preparation (Project) for the City of Fresno’s (City’s) water system infrastructure, and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities Water Division is required by AWIA to prepare a risk and resilience assessment of its water system infrastructure and submit a self-certification of compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by March 31, 2020. Subsequent to assessment completion the Water Division is then required to prepare an Emergency Response Plan. In conformance with City procurement guidelines a competitive solicitation was undertaken to select a consultant to prepare the assessment and plan. The Department of Public Utilities seeks award of a consultant services agreement to AARC Consultants, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $163,100, including a contingency of $15,000, for the Project. The Project will deliver risk and resilience assessments and an emergency response plan for the City’s water infrastructure in compliance with requirements of the AWIA of 2018.
BACKGROUND
On October 23, 2018, the AWIA was signed into law thereby requiring community water systems serving more than 3,300 persons to develop risk and resilience assessments and response plans addressing risks to water infrastructure from malevolent and natural hazards. Following the conclusion of the assessment, self-certification by the City is due to the USEPA by March 31, 2020, with the subsequent emergency response plan submitted no later than six months following submittal of assessment certification.
On March 27, 2019, a notice of requirements of the AWIA was published in the Federal Register by the USEPA. At that time, DPU reprioritize budgeted security projects in order to fund this mandated high priority assessment effort. On August 21, 2019, an advertisement inviting proposals for the Project was published. Four firms submitted a proposal package. The submittals received were reviewed by a selection committee and on September 20, 2019, AARC Consultants, LLC, was selected to provide the services. The services required by this Agreement will be completed by September 30, 2020. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $148,100 with a contingency of $15,000, for a total contract amount of $163,100.
A standardized consultant service 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 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 consultant services agreement for design services does not qualify as a “project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because the number of local businesses who perform this work is less than three.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This Project is for Citywide water infrastructure assessment and emergency plan preparation and affects all Council Districts. Funding for this Project is included in the Water Division’s Fiscal Year 2020 Capital Improvement Budget Water Enterprise Fund 40101. No additional funding is needed for the award of the consultant services contract.
Attachment:
Consultant Services Agreement