TITLE
Recommendation to approve agreement between the Long Beach Gas and Oil Department and Nobel Systems to provide Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data conversion and software implementation and the licensing agreements with Nobel, Advantica and Miner & Miner, which govern the use of their software. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On June 13, 2006, the City Council approved an agreement between the Long Beach Gas and Oil
Department (LBGO) and Nobel Systems (Nobel) to provide Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
data conversion and software in the amount of $3,595,000.
Additionally required are agreements with Nobel, Advantica, and Miner & Miner for use of their
proprietary software by the City of Long Beach. The cost of these licensing agreements is included
in the $3,595,000.
,
LBGO currently has 455 paper engineering drawings (atlas sheets) detailing approximately 900 miles
of natural gas mains and 900 miles of services. There are also approximately 150,000 service
orders, 17,800 repair orders, 14,000 gas pipe retirements (once a portion of gas pipe is replaced,
that pipe is "retired" in LBGO's asset inventory) and 9,700 work orders, all currently documented
exclusively on paper. Some of the paper records date to as early as the 1920's and 1930's and
access to these documents is only available through files physically located in the Gas Administration
Building. In an effort to greatly improve operational efficiency as well as enhance coordination with
City departments that have already converted their geographical data to electronic files, in May 2005,
LBGO distributed a Request For Proposals for data conversion and data input for the LBGO
infrastructure paper record system.
After an extensive evaluation of the eight proposals received, two vendors were selected for final
evaluation. Of these vendors, none were from Long Beach and there were no Disadvantaged
Business or Women-Owned Business Enterprises. The proposal submitted by Nobel was selected
to complete the required data conversion and software implementation program. Nobel has
developed a project plan that includes a Geodatabase, code compliance database and ArcGIS
database to provide a single point of data entry consistent with industry standards. Its proposal is to
design and build a gas distribution Geodatabase within the City's current GIs. As a consultant
providing assistance to Nobel, Advantica will assist in the design and development effort. Advantica
will install required software provided by Miner & Miner. The costs for Advantica's consulting and
Miner & Miner's software licensing are also included in the agreement.
Once the project is complete, all atlases, work orders, service orders, etc., will be available
electronically to LBGO staff via PC tablets. This will eliminate the need for staff to obtain information
from paper sources. The converted files will afford other City department's on GIS access to LBGO's
atlases electronically, and, in addition, will enable LBGO employees to access GIS files from the
Public Works and Water Departments. This information will be available to all GIS users in the City.
The project will also provide data for capital improvement project prioritizing and design, provide for
daily updating of the pipeline system, and provide an efficient means of maintaining pipeline records
and drawings. Additional benefits include the re-engineering of processes such as leak survey, gas
flow modeling, valve maintenance, atmospheric corrosion control, service order generation and
meter information.
LBGO must meet certain requirements detailed in the Code of Federal Regulations regarding
operations and maintenance of our gas pipeline. Currently, all of these processes are detailed on
paper files. When the Department of Transportation (DOT) performs its annual audit, providing proof
of compliance is currently unwieldy, as Engineering manually coordinates all of this information by
paper processes. This project will provide code compliance software to enable LBGO to provide
detailed reports regarding any compliance issues brought forth by DOT auditors. In the event we fail
to conform to DOT requirements, the Department is subject to significant fines.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on July 11, 2006 and Budget
Management Officer David Wodynski on July 20,2006.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 1 , 2006 in order to begin the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
On June 13, 2006, the City Council approved an agreement between the Long Beach Gas and Oil
Department and Nobel Systems to provide GIS data conversion and software in the amount of
$3,595,000. Included in this amount is the cost of the necessary licensing agreements with Nobel,
Advantica, and Miner & Miner for use of their proprietary software discussed in this request to City
Council.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
NAME |
APPROVED: |
TITLE |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |