To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Consultant Services Agreement with GHD, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Professional Consulting Services to Assist with Preparation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. regarding the provision of professional consulting services to assist with preparation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin; and
2. Authorize the Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all future amendments to the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. that do not cumulatively exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Planning Grant
DISCUSSION:
On May 5, 2020 (Item I-1), the Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) to issue a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for professional consulting services pertaining to implementation of the Eel River Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan and Monitoring Well Installation Project (“Project”). The Project entails preparation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (“GSP”) for the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin to comply with the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Funding for the Project is being provided by the California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Planning Grant program. The GSP must be adopted by Jan. 31, 2022.
The RFP was posted on the county website with proposals due by Jun. 5, 2020. Two (2) proposals were received by the due date. A review committee composed of representatives from the Public Works, Humboldt County Farm Bureau, Suits and Signs Consulting and Western Resource Strategies reviewed the proposals submitted in response to the RFP and selected GHD, Inc. as the highest-ranking firm based on the selection criteria set forth in the RFP. GHD, Inc. was determined to have the most experience directly comparable to the work solicited in the RFP, and they demonstrated the strongest ability to provide high-quality, cost-effective services. GHD, Inc’s proposed budget does not exceed the independent cost estimate prepared by Public Works.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached consultant services agreement, GHD, Inc. will provide professional consulting services from the date of execution through Apr. 1, 2022, to assist with implementation of the Project. GHD’s work includes obtaining data and information and creating a calibrated hydrologic model to support the development of sustainable management criteria and a determination regarding the presence or absence of undesirable results associated with groundwater use within the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin. GHD will be the lead author for the GSP document.
Accordingly, Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve, and authorize the Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. regarding the provision of professional consulting services to assist with the Project. It also recommended that the Board authorize the Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all future amendments to the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. that do not cumulatively exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), after review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, in order to ensure the efficient delivery of services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. has a maximum amount payable of One Million Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,450,000). Expenditure appropriations related to the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. have been incorporated into the approved fiscal year 2020-21 budget at revenue line 1100251-800600 and expenditure line 1100251-2118. These expenditures are reimbursable from DWR pursuant to Grant Agreement No. 4600013562, dated May 14, 2020. As a result, approval of the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and providing opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Water Resources
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the attached consultant services agreement with GHD, Inc. regarding the provision of professional consulting services to assist with preparation of the GSP for the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow for the provision of the professional consulting services necessary to prepare the GSP, which is a mandatory compliance action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Consultant Services Agreement with GHD, Inc. Regarding the Provision of Professional Consulting Services to Assist with Preparation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Eel River Valley Groundwater Basin (Project No. 251032)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I-1
Meeting of: May 5, 2020
File No.: 20-522