REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: PETER MARACCINI, PE, PHD, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
JOSEPH DE GEORGE, MS, MBA, Project Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a consultant services agreement with Partners in Control Inc., dba Enterprise Automation, for a total amount not to exceed $450,000 to provide on-call Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition support services for a three-year period. (Bid File 12401128) (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Partners in Control Inc., dba Enterprise Automation (Consultant), for an amount not to exceed $450,000 to provide on-call Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) support services for a three-year period ($150,000 per year); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Water Division utilizes SCADA to monitor and control various mechanical processes to produce and treat both groundwater and surface water. To ensure that the systems operate efficiently, effectively, and securely, DPU desires to contract with the Consultant to provide on-call SCADA support services for a three-year period. The services will support upgrades, repairs, new project development, security, and emergencies for the Water Division.
BACKGROUND
The SCADA systems are distributed computer systems used by nearly every community water system for process monitoring and automation. Within the City water system, there are approximately 260 active water wells, each having a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) that communicates using SCADA to receive and relay information to the main station at the Water Division headquarters. The City also has three (3) surface water treatment facilities; the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, and the Tank 3 water storage and surface water treatment facility, that utilize the SCADA system for controls, reporting, and alarms.
The SCADA system requires around-the-clock support for various programming issues on system optimization, Programmable Logic Controller programming, alarm support, and reporting systems. While Water Division staff can complete some portions of the SCADA system management, additional support from consultants familiar with SCADA system upgrades and programming is needed to ensure new RTUs can be connected and successfully integrated.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1 and Administrative Order 6-19, the DPU conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to select a consultant to provide the requisite professional services. The RFQ was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on October 27, 2023. Two (2) Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received by the submission deadline of December 1, 2023. A selection committee, consisting of representatives from the DPU Utilities Planning and Engineering Division and Water Division evaluated the SOQs and, upon review of the qualifications and the proposed fees, selected Partners in Control Inc., dba Enterprise Automation. Staff recommends approving a consultant services agreement to the Consultant for a total amount not to exceed $450,000 to provide SCADA support services for a three-year period ($150,000 per year). Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 capital improvement budget within the Water Division’s Enterprise Fund 4000-4001.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the proposed agreement and approved as to form. Upon approval by the City Council, the consultant service agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the approval of this agreement is not a “Project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented per Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-109(b)(3), as staff believes there are less than three local firms providing the specific consulting service within the area of expertise for the subject matter of work.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Project is a Citywide Project. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 capital improvement budget within the Water Division’s Enterprise Fund 4000-4001.
Attachment
Consultant Services Agreement