CREPORT 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 consultant services agreement with Akel Engineering Group, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $120,000, to provide on-call water distribution system hydraulic modeling services (Bid File No. 12400549) (Citywide).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Akel Engineering Group, Inc., (Consultant), for an amount not to exceed $120,000, to provide on-call professional water distribution system hydraulic modeling services that will support decision-making for capital improvement projects, developer project-related improvements, and operational and maintenance activities; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City's water production and distribution system is comprised of 260 operable water wells, three (3) surface water treatment facilities, dedicated water storage and booster station facilities, approximately 1,800 miles of distribution pipeline, and approximately 24 miles of large-diameter transmission pipelines. Previous modeling efforts have established the baseline framework of the ever-expanding operational and water system distribution needs of the City. Continued development throughout the City requires ongoing hydraulic analysis of various scenarios to define future water system demands, future operational requirements, and new infrastructure needs. This on-call distribution system hydraulic modeling services contract will enable the timely planning, implementation, and optimization of cost-effective water utility services.
BACKGROUND
The City has a drinking water service area that covers nearly 114 square miles and serves approximately 545,000 residential customers and 35,000 commercial and industrial accounts through a network of approximately 1,800 miles of distribution system pipelines. The City’s water demands are approximately 123,000 acre-feet annually. Before 2004, 100 percent of the City’s potable water was supplied by groundwater pumping. Following the construction of the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, T-3 package Surface Water Treatment Facility, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, annual water demands are currently being met by 44 percent groundwater and 56 percent treated surface water during wet water years. The design and completion of these projects were aided using a Geographic Information System-based water system hydraulic model to assess and identify distribution system and operational impacts associated with these infrastructure changes. The hydraulic model has established the baseline framework that provides an avenue for the City to continue identifying various system hydraulic reaction scenarios related to proposed system enhancements, new developments, and system operations.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1 and Administrative Order 6-19, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to select a consultant to provide the requisite professional services. The RFQ was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on September 5, 2023. Two (2) Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received by the submission deadline of October 6, 2023. A selection committee, consisting of representatives from DPU’s Utilities Planning & Engineering Division evaluated the SOQs and, upon review of the qualifications and the proposed fees, selected Akel Engineering Group, Inc. Staff recommends approving a consultant services agreement to Akel Engineering Group, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $120,000.
A standard consultant services 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 City Council, the agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, who has been delegated this authority by the City Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project” for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented, as Akel Engineering Group, Inc., is a local business as defined by Fresno Municipal Code 4-109(b).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this service is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 capital improvement budget within the Water Division’s Enterprise Fund 4000-4001. The services provided will benefit all Council Districts.
Attachment - Consultant Services Agreement