December 13, 2005
SUBJECT: Award of Contract for an Energy Use Audit of the Water Pollution Control Plant Heat Loop (F0405-65)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested for the award of a contract to BASE Energy, Inc., of San Francisco for engineering services to perform an energy use audit of the hot water loop at the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) for the Department of Public Works Engineering Division (Project # UY-05/01-06).
BACKGROUND
The WPCP generates electric power from methane gas produced at the nearby landfill and in the wastewater treatment process. A by-product of power generation is heat which is transferred via a hot water loop to other areas of the Plant to heat buildings and for other uses. The hot water loop is nearing the end of its useful life and is requiring costly maintenance. Given the high cost of complete replacement, the Engineering Division would like to evaluate all options available, including replacement with a similar system.
The scope of work for this project includes conducting a comprehensive evaluation of how heat is generated, utilized and dissipated throughout the WPCP and looking at Plant processes to determine the most effective contribution to or utilization of energy from the heat loop system. This preliminary engineering work will yield detailed information regarding the scope and anticipated construction costs of various alternatives and will recommend the most efficient and cost effective alternative. Public Works intends to use this information to budget and develop a new capital improvement project for future construction.
DISCUSSION
Request for Proposals No.F0405-65 was prepared by Public Works and Purchasing staff and mailed directly to nine Northern California engineering consultants. The package was also broadcast to potential proposers through the DemandStar by Onvia procurement network. Seventeen engineering firms requested bid documents. Proposals were received from BASE Energy, Inc., of San Francisco, Carollo Engineers of Walnut Creek, and Salas O’Brien Engineers, Inc., of San Jose.
Proposals were reviewed by City staff and evaluated and ranked, based on the proposed methodology, qualifications and expertise of the proposers, proposed timeline for completion of the project and cost to the City. The evaluation team determined that the proposal from BASE Energy, Inc., (using Kennedy/Jenks Consultants as a sub-consultant) offered the greatest level of experience and expertise in energy assessments in large co-generation and wastewater treatment facilities. BASE Energy was selected by PG&E as one of its main contractors to perform energy assessments of large manufacturing and commercial customers in its Northern California territory (over 80 sites to date) and the firm has performed over 170 comprehensive energy assessments in Southern California as part of the Super Audit Program administered by Southern California Gas Company on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission. In addition, the BASE Energy project manager has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with emphasis in thermal fluids and energy systems and is the director of the Industrial Assessment Center at San Francisco State University.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total project cost as proposed by BASE Energy is $184,912. In addition, staff recommends approval of a contingency of $27,737 (15%) for a total contract value not to exceed $212,649. Funds are available in Public Works Capital Project 822560 (Energy Use Audit – Hot Water Loop).
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council:
1. Award a contract, in substantially the same form at the attached draft and in an amount not to exceed $184,912, to BASE Energy, Inc., for an energy use audit of the Water Pollution Control Plant hot water loop; and.
2. Approve a project contingency in the amount of $27,737.
Prepared by:
Elaine Wesely
Purchasing Officer
Reviewed by:
Mary J. Bradley
Director, Finance
Reviewed by:
Marvin Rose
Director, Public Works
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
Draft Consulting Services Agreement(pdf)