TO: Members of the Governing Board
FROM: Christopher Silke, District Engineer
REPORT BY: Anna Martinez, Assistant Engineer
SUBJECT: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with GHD, Inc. for Design Services Related to Sewer Lift Station A Tank Replacement Project, LB 22-03
RECOMMENDATION
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District Engineer requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230149B with GHD, Inc. for a maximum of $190,674 for the term September 13, 2022 until one year after completion of the scope of services for the Sewer Lift Station A Tank Replacement Project, LB 22-03.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The District received $800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through a Memorandum of Understanding with Napa County for the replacement of the main wastewater collection and storage tank at Sewer Lift Station A on February 8, 2022. The tank requires replacement due to deterioration of interior and exterior coatings, widespread pit corrosion along the wall panels, and corrosion of the metal roof dome - all caused by long-term sewer gas build-up in the tank above the high water line. A Request for Qualifications / Proposals (RFQ/RFP) solicitation for design services related to the replacement of the tank with a tank more suited to the highly corrosive nature of raw sewage, was publicly advertised on June 21, 2022. Two (2) engineering consultants submitted proposals by the July 28, 2022 deadline. GHD, Inc. ranked highest amongst the proposals submitted. Staff recommends approval of a Professional Services Agreement effective September 13, 2022 and expiring one year following completing the scope of services.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Fund 5220, Org 5220500, Project 22014 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The existing tank could become compromised due to extensive pitting and corrosion, and the District could be cited by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for unauthorized discharges of raw wastewater. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Contract terms will likely extend into fiscal year 2023-24 depending on construction schedule following completion of design. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Extent of damage to the tank will likely worsen costing the District more in potential fines and clean-up if raw wastewater discharges occur. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The President authorized the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in March 2021 to allocate $1.9 trillion in stimulus monies across a variety of programs. Of the total, $350 billion is allocated to state, local, territorial and Tribal governments to enable them to continue to support the public health response and to lay the foundation for a strong and equitable economic recovery. The U.S. Department of the Treasury released Final Interim Rule regulations on May 10, 2021 defining eligible use of ARPA monies that includes investments into water and sewer utility infrastructure. Local Fiscal Recovery (LFR) funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 with projects completed no later than December 31, 2026. The County of Napa received $26,755,157 for ARPA appropriations.
Based on the Final Rule guidelines, water and sewer utility projects that would qualify for funding under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Act Programs are deemed as eligible under ARPA. The District has four (4) high priority projects that satisfy ARPA and the Drinking and Clean Water Act funding criteria - one of the projects being the subject of this agenda report - the replacement of the 91,000 gallons raw sewage collection tank located at Sewer Lift Station A.
History of the Collection Tank at Lift Station A:
The original sewer collection tank at Lift Station A, which collects all raw sewage from Unit 2 of the Berryessa Estates subdivision, was installed in 1967. It was constructed of welded steel with a maximum capacity of approximately 50,000 gallons. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, deterioration of the upper tank wall due to corrosion from hydrogen sulfide vapors caused seepage of raw sewage from the upper tank panels requiring the operational level to be lowered to half the height of the tank. Due to lack of funding for full replacement of the tank, a reduced scope project was approved that required removal of the corroded panels above the reduced operational level - leaving the District with limited sewer collection capacity for growth and or storm events.
The tank was operated at this reduced capacity for over a decade; increased flow as a result of community growth, and also from increased inflow and infiltration (I/I) in the collection system, resulted in multiple overflows from the tank and violations from the Central Valley Regional Board (CVRB). An Administrative Civil Liability Complaint (ACL) that required payment of a fine, was issued and ultimately rescinded, but the District was required to replace the tank with a capacity sufficient to prevent overflows in the future.
In 2002, District engineering staff solicited bids for replacement of the modified original welded steel tank with a 91,000 gallon bolted steel tank. The solicitation required setting the new tank within the footprint of the original tank, and the reuse of the original pad. The vendor, International Tank, Dry & Liquid Storage, Inc. from Kentucky was retained to complete the project design and installation.
The 91,000 gallon tank is now nearly 20 years old, and as with the original tank installation, corrosion and pitting, due to the accumulation of hydrogen sulfide gases, has accelerated along the top tank panels that sit above the effective operational level of the tank. In an effort to prevent a repeat of prior violations and potential ACLs from the CVRB due to illicit discharges from the tank, staff proposed immediate replacement of the tank pending award of funding availability through the ARPA program.
On February 8, 2022, the District and Napa County executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the terms of the transfer of ARPA funding for the project, and on June 21, 2022, staff publicly advertised an RFQ / RFP engineering services package detailing the scope of work, submittal instructions and deadline for the Sewer Lift Station A Tank Replacement Project. Staff led interested parties on a mandatory site tour of the tank site and responded to questions posed by the two attendees. Both eligible attendees submitted qualifications statements, proposed task order descriptions, client deliverables for the project and a fee proposal under separate envelope. All RFQ / RFP submittals were evaluated and scored by the District Engineer and two Assistant Engineers based on each firms similar project experience, demonstrated understanding of LBRID’s technical and management requirements, Project Team credentials and engineering expertise to oversee a successful project. Final deliberations by staff arrived at a decision to recommend the Governing Board approve and enter into an agreement with GHD, Inc. for $190,674.
A standard Professional Services Agreement has been prepared by District personnel and approved as to form by legal counsel for Board signature to initiate the Lift Station A - Sewer Collection Tank Replacement Project. A CEQA Determination Form will be filed with Napa County Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department declaring the project to be Categorically Exempt, Class 1. Project design plans and specifications are tentatively scheduled for January 2023, with a recommendation for construction contract award presented to the Governing Board in March or April 2023.