Title
a. Approve a Standard Agreement (SA) between the County of Monterey (County) and Andrew Thomson, dba Tough Automation to provide programming, maintenance, monitoring, and on-call repair services for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network for an initial term of three years effective October 15, 2026 to October 14, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $2,000,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to execute the SA and future amendments to the SA where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the amount by more than 10% ($200,000) of the original approved SA amount of $2,000,000 bringing the potential overall aggregate not to exceed amount to $2,200,000 subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel and as to fiscal provisions by the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a Standard Agreement (SA) between the County of Monterey (County) and Andrew Thomson, dba Tough Automation to provide programming, maintenance, monitoring, and on-call repair services for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network for an initial term of three years effective October 15, 2026 to October 14, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $2,000,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to execute the SA and future amendments to the SA where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the amount by more than 10% ($200,000) of the original approved SA amount of $2,000,000 bringing the potential overall aggregate not to exceed amount to $2,200,000 subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel and as to fiscal provisions by the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
SUMMARY:
The recommended actions would allow for the approval of a Standard Agreement (SA) between the County and Andrew Thomson, dba Tough Automation (Tough Automation) (Attachment A) in the amount of $2,000,000 to provide maintenance, monitoring, on-call repair, and wireless services for the existing SCADA network and coordinate with the County to expand the SCADA system.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) relies on the use of the SCADA network to monitor and manage submersible pumps, flow meters, emergency backup generators, alarm dialers, a domestic water well pump, a domestic water storage tank, booster pumps, a fire pump and motor, and to receive and acknowledge alarms for the Pajaro County Sanitation District (PCSD) Wastewater Collection System, the Boronda County Sanitation District - Zone 2 San Jerardo Water System, and the CSA-50 stormwater detention pond pumps. SCADA is a critical centralized system that integrates hardware, software, and communication networks to provide centralized supervision, control, and data analysis.
The County intends to expand the SCADA system to include the Boronda County Sanitation District (BCSD) Wastewater Collection System and the County Service Area 75 - Chualar Wastewater Collection System. Expansion may include other locations as appropriate to enhance operational efficiency and safety. Due to the remote location of the equipment, expertise in off-grid solar powered systems and wireless communications, SCADA systems are essential for the proposed expansion projects.
Tough Automation has more than ten years of experience specializing in wastewater collection lift station controls, domestic water booster pump station controls, wastewater treatment plant control systems, industrial networking, industrial technology, off-grid solar power systems for remote locations, and motor control troubleshooting. Tough Automation has expertise in radio telemetry communication and regularly performs radio studies for identifying adequate communication equipment for remote sites.
Tough Automation previously repaired and restored components of the existing SCADA system including writing new code logic for enhanced functionality. PWFP has researched other service providers and there are other vendors that provide similar services; however, other vendors do not offer all required services within a single company. A County Sole Source Justification for the proposed SA with Tough Automation was recently approved due to their familiarity with the existing SCADA system and the breadth of services that they provide.
Board of Supervisors (Board) approval would allow for the issuance of the proposed SA between the County and Tough Automation to provide maintenance, monitoring, on-call repair, and wireless services for the existing SCADA network and coordinate with the County to expand the SCADA system. The proposed SA has an initial term of three years effective October 15, 2026 to October 14, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management, County Information Technology Department and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the SA as to form, risk, and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
Sufficient funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget for planned services in the amount of $40,000 as follows:
PCSD: Fund 1521, Dept. 320062, Appr. PFP160 = $30,000
BCSD: Fund 1524, Dept. 320064, Appr. PFP162 = $5,000
CSA-75: Fund 1443, Dept. 320060, Appr. PFP158 = $5,000
Future funding for these services will be allocated in each future Fiscal Year Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The recommended action aligns with the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals for Safe and Resilient Communities and Well-Being and Quality of Life. The SCADA network is essential to monitor existing water systems, and the proposed SA will allow the County to optimize the existing system to minimize downtime through proper design and maintenance.
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Mitchell Vernon, CFM, Administrative Operations Manager, (831) 272-2808
Janie Bettencourt, Management Analyst II
Reviewed by: Lindsay Lerable, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Proposed SA with Tough Automation
Attachment B - County Approved Sole Source Justification