The Water Resources Department is responsible for the City’s Domestic Water system and the Kern River System, including several canals.  Periodically, the Department requires professional engineering services to maintain and improve these systems. Typical services include performing research, surveying, providing equipment startup assistance, performing calculations and studies, addressing water quality concerns, providing recommendations, and developing plans and specifications for certain projects. Such projects include, but are not limited to, hydraulic structures, waterlines, recharge basins, water wells and pumps, domestic and river water modeling and studies, water treatment, revision of City Standards, and others.

On May 9, 2023, staff advertised a request for qualifications for these services.  On June 1, 2023 the following five firms submitted statements of qualifications (SOQs):

·         MKN & Associates

·         Quad Knopf, Inc. (QK)

·         Diversified Project Services International, Inc. (DPSI)

·         Meyer Civil Engineering

·         Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group

City staff recommends approval of agreements with the following two consultants based upon their qualifications and fee proposal being the most favorable to the City:

·         Meyer Civil Engineering

·         Provost & Pritchard  

Since specific scopes of work have not yet been determined, the compensation amount for each firm is set at a not-to-exceed aggregate total of $200,000 for a two-year term.

Project assignments will be based on the firm’s experience and expertise, according to needs that arise.  Sufficient funds are available in the Water Resources Department’s FY 2023-24 Operating Budget; therefore, there is no General Fund impact associated with these agreements.