Report Prepared by: Daryl Jordan, P.E., City Engineer, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Award of Bid and Approval of Contract to Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. for Groundwater Monitoring Well and Municipal Well Sampling Services in the Amount of $506,250
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers awarding a contract in the amount of $506,250 to Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. to perform groundwater sampling services to support the City’s PCE environmental investigation.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Awarding a contract with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. for the five-year term of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031, in the amount of $101,250 annually for each of the fiscal years FY 2026/27, FY 2027/28, FY 2028/29, FY 2029/30 and FY 2030/31 to provide groundwater well and municipal well sampling services; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
Services with an estimated value greater than $34,000 are made by written contract in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board requires the City of Merced (City) to sample groundwater monitoring wells and test for Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in specified areas around the City. In addition, the California Department of Public Health and State Water Resources Control Board requires the City to monitor its drinking water for various contaminants, including the gasoline constituent Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE).
The above sampling requirements necessitate procuring the services of an appropriate environmental consulting firm with the relevant expertise, and staff issued a Request-for-Qualifications for the well sampling work.
Three firms submitted proposals as of the suspense date. An evaluation committee was convened consisting of Public Works and Engineering staff members. Each member rated the proposals by granting on criteria including, but not limited to: staff qualifications, technical experience, technical approach, and completeness.
The evaluators selected Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. as the preferred proposal. Staff requested that Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc. provide a scope of work to meet the City’s groundwater sampling requirements for a five-year period as detailed in the Request-for-Qualifications. Their fee proposal of $506,250 will be apportioned $101,250 equally for each of fiscal years FY 2026/27, FY 2027/28, FY 2028/29, FY 2029/30 and FY 2030/31.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The proposed Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget includes an adequate balance in the Fund 6001 - Water System Enterprise Fund, professional services account 60016060-511012, for the first fiscal year 2026/27. Future appropriations will be incorporated into the annual budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Contract