To: Boards of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency, Russian River County Sanitation District, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency, Russian River County Sanitation District, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ellen Simm 707-521-1809
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Biotoxicity Monitoring and Related Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager acting on behalf of Sonoma County Water Agency, Russian River County Sanitation District, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District to execute an agreement with AQUA-Science LLC for biotoxicity monitoring and related services through December 30, 2024, in a form approved by County Counsel, in the not to exceed amount of $375,000 (up to $125,000 per year for three years).
end
Executive Summary:
Pursuant to section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act and implementing regulations adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has instructed Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, and Sonoma County Water Agency (collectively “Sonoma Water”) to have water and wastewater tested for a variety of toxins and biotoxicity. This item requests authority for Sonoma County Water’s General Manager to execute an agreement with AQUA-Science LLC for biotoxicity monitoring and related services for an amount not to exceed $375,000 (up to $125,000 per year for three years); agreement terminates on December 30, 2024.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Pursuant to section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act and implementing regulations adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, discharge of treated effluent wastewater to waters of the state cannot cause receiving waters to contain toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, humans, plants, animals, or aquatic life.
To meet these requirements, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has instructed Sonoma Water to have water and wastewater tested for a variety of toxins and biotoxicity. This in-depth work requires highly-trained and skilled laboratory expertise. In addition, in emergency situations, testing of the Sonoma County Water Agency transmission system water may be needed.
Sonoma County Water Agency operates the Russian River County Sanitation District and the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (Districts) under contract with Districts.
SELECTION PROCESS
On April 20, 2021, Sonoma Water issued a Request for Statements of Qualifications to the following four firms:
1. AQUA-Science LLC, Davis, CA
2. Control Laboratories, Watsonville, CA
3. McCampbell Analytical, Pittsburgh, CA
4. Pacific EcoRisk, Inc., Fairfield, CA
The Request for Statements of Qualifications was also posted on the Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma Purchasing Department websites.
The five firms listed below submitted Statements of Qualifications:
1. Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc., Ukiah, CA
2. AQUA-Science LLC, Davis, CA
3. Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC, Monrovia, CA
4. Pacific EcoRisk, Inc., Fairfield, CA
5. Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., San Diego, CA
The following criteria were used to evaluate each firm:
• Thoroughness of SOQ
• Professional qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform the work
• Exceptions to standard terms in the sample agreement
Based on the evaluations, the following respondents were selected for the list of qualified consultants:
• AQUA-Science LLC
• Pacific EcoRisk, Inc.
• Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
AQUA-Science LLC was selected for the subject work because it is recognized as an expert in this industry and works with the Environmental Protection Agency on a regular basis. In addition to overall qualifications, AQUA-Science LLC is familiar with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements because of its work on the Russian River County Sanitation District, Occidental County Sanitation District, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District permit renewals. AQUA-Science LLC has performed excellent biotoxicity testing, toxicity identification evaluation screenings and expert advice for Sonoma Water in the past. Sonoma Water staff believes it is in Sonoma Water's best interest to continue working with AQUA-Science LLC due to the steep learning curve and strict nature of water testing requirements.
Sonoma Water may seek to amend or enter into subsequent agreement(s) with Board approval if required, relying upon this competitive selection process.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, AQUA-Science, Inc., will have water and wastewater tested for a variety of toxins by an Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program-certified laboratory, as required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
The cost of services will not exceed $375,000 (up to $125,000 per year for three years); the term end date is December 30, 2024.
The agreement includes two options for Sonoma Water to extend this agreement for a period of one year each by providing written notice to AQUA-Science, Inc., thirty days in advance of the expiration date of the agreement and of the first extension option.
County Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
09/11/2018: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost: $540,000; term end 6/30/2021.
08/11/2015: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost: $690,000; term end 6/30/2018.
12/04/2012: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring. Cost $810,000; term end 6/30/2015.
12/08/2009: Approved agreement with AQUA-Science, Inc., for biotoxicity monitoring.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
125,000 |
125,000 |
125,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
125,000 |
125,000 |
125,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
125,000 |
125,000 |
125,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
125,000 |
125,000 |
125,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $125,000 is available from FY 2021/2022 appropriations for the Water Transmission Fund ($10,000), Russian River County Sanitation District Operations Fund ($46,000), and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District Operations Fund ($69,000).
FY 2022/2023 and FY 2023/2024 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.