TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any subsequent amendments, with Pacific Rim Automation, Inc., of Huntington Beach, CA, for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition support, natural gas distribution system telemetry support, associated services, software and hardware updates, and a one-time corrosion control equipment upgrade, in a total amount not to exceed $1,000,000, for a period of five years. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Pacific Rim Automation, Inc. (Pac Rim), for providing the City of Long Beach’s (City) Energy Resources Department (ER) with continued support of ER’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) telemetry system, natural gas distribution system telemetry support, associated services, software and hardware updates, and the upgrade of 50 Programmable Logic Control (PLC) computers for corrosion control within the City.
On May 23, 2017, the City Council adopted a Resolution to execute a contract with Pac Rim to provide SCADA support, natural gas distribution system telemetry support, software and hardware updates and associated services for ER. ER is requesting to expand the expired contract with Pac Rim to include the upgrades of 50 PLC computers for the continued monitoring of corrosion control systems.
Pac Rim possesses intimate knowledge of the SCADA system programming and Human Machine Interface. ER has, in turn, invested significant employee time and resources with Pac Rim. The uniqueness of the system and costs associated with switching vendors would negatively impact ER’s requirements under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. ER is required by the DOT to continuously monitor its natural gas pipeline system pressure, corrosion control systems, and natural gas quality. The DOT also requires ER to respond to natural gas system alarms promptly, on a 24-hour basis. Since the installation in 1997, Pac Rim has been maintaining and upgrading ER’s SCADA system regularly.
City Charter Section 1801 requires that contracts for City purchases be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after a competitive bid process, but allows for awards without a competitive bid process when authorized by a Resolution adopted by the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on March 14, 2022, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on March 15, 2022, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on March 24, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt a Resolution and award a contract concurrently is requested on April 12, 2022, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the contract will not exceed $1,000,000, and will be funded within current resources appropriated in the Gas Fund Group in the Energy Resources Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT M. DOWELL
DIRECTOR OF ENERGY RESOURCES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER