TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP PR18-113 and award a contract to Aquatechnex, LLC, of Santa Ana, CA, for lake water quality management services, in an annual amount of $200,000, with a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $20,000, for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $220,000, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments. (Districts 4,5,8)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Aquatechnex, LLC (Aquatechnex), for providing water quality management services for nine park lakes for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) (Attachment A).
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on July 3, 2018, and 324 potential proposers specializing in lake water quality management services were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 23 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing <http://www.longbeach.gov/purchasing>. An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 28 local, minority, and women-owned business groups. Two proposals were received on August 6, 2018. Of those two proposers, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), none were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), one was a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and none were Long Beach businesses (Local). The selection committee determined that Aquatechnex, LLC, of Santa Ana, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local), was the most qualified firm to provide the services.
The RFP specifications were developed to more precisely define service levels by lake for inspection, evaluation, and treatment of 45.1 total lake acres. Proposers were encouraged to respond with their method of maintaining healthy, safe, clean, and attractive lakes. Aquatechnex was selected based on the combination of their demonstrated experience in handling difficult ecological challenges, superior understanding and experience in managing lake systems within the confines of a highly-regulated environment, and availability of key staff members. Aquatechnex has provided lake management services for five decades to clients having similar ecologically situated lakes.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download the RFP specifications. Through outreach, 26 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit proposals, of which none downloaded nor submitted a proposal. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on July 11, 2019, Purchasing Agent Tara Yeats on July 26, 2019, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on July 23, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. RFP PR18-113 and award a contract concurrently is requested on August 13, 2019, to ensure a contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total annual contract amount will not exceed $220,000. Sufficient appropriation is budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine 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 this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER