Report Prepared by: Jeremy Geiger, Public Works Supervisor - Water Quality Control Division
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Professional Services Agreement with McCampbell Analytical, Inc. for Bioassay Laboratory Services in the Total Contract Amount of $52,959 for a Three (3) Year Agreement with Contract Term Ending June 30, 2024
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a three-year agreement with McCampbell Analytical, Inc. for bioassay laboratory services.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving an agreement for professional services with McCampbell Analytical, Inc. for bioassay laboratory services in the total contract amount of $52,959 with contract term ending on June 30, 2024; and authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1111 - Competitive bidding, and Merced Municipal Code Charter 3.04 Article III - the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services of an estimated value greater than thirty-three thousand dollars ($33,000), the “contract threshold”, shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021/2022 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Under Federal and State law, the City of Merced is required to perform bioassay laboratory testing o the Wastewater Treatment Facility’s (WWTF) effluent water on biological organism. The WWTF in-house laboratory is not certified to perform these wastewater tests.
Per the WWTF’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES), the WWTF is required to conduct monthly acute fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and quarterly chronic algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) growth, water flea (Ceriodaphnia dubia) growth and reproduction, and fathead minnow growth and survival testing.
On April 22, 2021, WWTF staff sent a Request for Proposals (RFP) to eight state certified laboratories. Three qualified laboratories responded to the RFP.
1. McCampbell Analytical, Inc.
2. Pacific EcoRisk
3. Wood Environment
The proposals were evaluated on criteria including adherence to RFP instructions, organizational structure, experience with similar municipalities, project understanding, and ability to meet requirements.
WWTF staff selected McCampbell Analytical, Inc. as best meeting the needs of the City.
After working with Pacific Ecorisk and McCampbell on past contracts, McCampbell proved to be more beneficial to the City in terms of support and services. Wood Environment is located in southern California and would require the use of FedEx, which could potentially be more costly in delivery charges. There may be other transportation issues, such as maintaining required sample temperature and meeting hold time criteria for analysis.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available within fiscal year 2021-22 under account 553-1108-532.17-00.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Professional Services Agreement