Report Prepared by: Bill Osmer, Public Works Manager - Wastewater
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Services Agreement with Aqua Sierra, Inc., for Discovery and Documentation of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility’s SCADA System in the Amount of $190,246 for a Three-Year Term Ending June 30, 2029, with an Option to Extend the Agreement for Two (2) Additional One-Year Terms
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a three-year services agreement for discovery and documentation services, for the replacement of all PLC’s and related tasks for the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility’s SCADA system (project CP220037) not to exceed $190,246 for the initial term of three (3) years.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the Services Agreement with Aqua Sierra, Inc., for a three-year term, in the amount not to exceed $190,246, 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 modifications as conditioned by Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Continue item to a Council 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-nine thousand dollars ($39,000), the “contract threshold”, shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2026/2027 adopted budget.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced currently utilizes a Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This system requires a specialized electrical engineering firm to provide discovery and documentation for hardware replacement. Currently the City is utilizing an antiquated system that is no longer being supported by the manufacturer and not compatible with newer licensing and equipment. If the system is not updated, the treatment plant will be subjected to operational failures of all automated systems.
To address technical issues that arise with the SCADA wiring documentation, an outside consultant is needed. Having a design firm provide updatable electronic documentation for future software integrations and allows for uniformity within the system. The discovery is a progressing phase of the SCADA capital improvement project CP 220037.
The City of Merced issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to provide specialized electrical services as mentioned above. Three (3) responses to the RFQ were received:
1. Aqua Sierra, Inc.
2. Ace Electric
3. Agilitech
Submittals were evaluated by staff from the City’s contracted consultant Control Point Engineering, as well as staff from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposals were evaluated on criteria including, but not limited to: staff qualifications, project experience, project understanding, completeness, and overall approach.
The reviewers selected Aqua Sierra, Inc., as best meeting the needs of the City. The Services Contract will be for a three-year period. Staff recommends approving the agreement with Aqua Sierra in an amount not to exceed $190,246 for the 3-year period.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds needed. Funding is available in the approved budget for capital improvement project CP220037.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Aqua Sierra Services Contract