Title
Approve issuance of a Request for Bids Package (“RFB”), in substantial form, including Technical Specifications for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project’s Well Replacement 11B02 Project; and authorize the General Manager to execute a contract for the project construction with the awarded contractor.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
a) Approve issuance of a Request for Bids Package (“RFB”), in substantial form, including Technical Specifications for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project’s Well Replacement 11B02 Project; and
b) Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract for the project construction with the awarded contractor.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (“MCWRA”) was awarded a USEPA Water Infrastructure Community Grant totaling $900,000 to partially fund the construction of a replacement supplemental groundwater well for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) distribution system. The final acceptance of the grant is in process of completion and the bidding process is necessary to finalize the budget numbers, move the project forward, and get a contractor setup to complete the project. The well easement expansion is in the process of becoming finalized for the project.
The Request for Bids Package (RFB WRA 25-001) is attached along with the project technical specifications.
The project will be replacing Supplemental Well 11B01 which collapsed in early 2024. The old well will be destroyed and the replacement, Well 11B02, will be constructed approximately 50-60 feet to the north-east. The site is ideal for a replacement as water quality is good in the location and reduced costs can be achieved with utilizing existing utilities and the connection area into the distribution system near the easement.
With a large percentage of the funding being obtained from the USEPA Water Infrastructure Community Grant, the procurement process will need to comply with not only MCWRA’s procurement policy but also with federal policies. This includes the need to complete CEQA evaluation as well as NEPA environmental review. The Project had a CEQA environmental review conducted and received a Notice of Exemption (NOE) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process is currently underway and will be completed prior to Project start.
The RFB WRA 25-001 is attached as Attachment 1. The Technical Specifications are attached as Attachment 2. The Technical Specifications include all details for the replacement well project including project plan, drilling methods, tentative final well design that aligns with replacement criteria, and all the other critical details and processes for the project.
The MCWRA BOD Personnel and Administration Committee on April 4th, 2025, recommended to the Board of Directors to approve this item.
This item is being considered by the MCWRA Board of Directors on April 21st, 2025, to be recommended to the MCWRA Board of Supervisors for approval to release the RFB Package.
FINANCING:
USEPA Water Infrastructure Community Grant will fund this project up to $900,000, and the remainder which includes a 20% cost share will be covered by fund balance in Fund 131 (CSIP O&M)
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and the EPA have reviewed the RFB WRA 25-001 package
Prepared by: Pete Vannerus , Associate Water Resources Engineer, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: ______________________________________________________
Ara Azhderian , General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. RFB WRA 25-001
2. Technical Specifications for Well 11B02