Title
Consider approving an Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $98,930 for the Nacimiento Dam and Hydroelectric Project 7th Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection and Report pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations Title 18, Part 12D (FERC), and spillway focused Potential Failure Mode Analysis; and authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
a. Approve an Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $98,930 for the Nacimiento Dam and Hydroelectric Project 7th Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection and Report pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations Title 18, Part 12D (FERC), and spillway focused Potential Failure Mode Analysis; and
b. Authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Title 18, Chapter 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations (18 CFR 12) titled “Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works”, Nacimiento Dam is regulated with regard to dam safety matters by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Office of Energy Projects, Division of Dam Safety and Inspections as a condition of operating the Nacimiento Hydroelectric Plant. Pursuant to 18 CFR 12, Part D, every five years a qualified Independent Consultant, in summary, must review project records, inspect the dam and its appurtenant structures, identify potential failure modes, and prepare a report with findings and any needed recommendations. The Agency’s 7th Independent Consultant Safety Inspection Report for Nacimiento Dam is due to FERC by December 31, 2018. Additionally, because of the 2017 Oroville spillway incident, FERC directed high hazard dam owners (by letter dated May 1, 2017 attached to the Agreement) to perform a spillway focused potential failure mode analysis, and has allowed the Agency to combine that effort with the 7th Independent Consultant Safety Inspection Report work. Furthermore, the Agency Board of Directors adopted an Owner’s Dam Safety Program in 2014, which specifies that every five years, in conjunction with the 18 CFR 12D inspection cycle, the Agency’s dam safety program be audited by a qualified outside party.
A Request for Proposals to complete the 7th Independent Consultant Safety Inspection Report, a spillway focused potential failure mode analysis, and an ODSP audit was sent to ten consulting firms in early May. Proposals were received on May 30 from GEI Consultants, Inc., Rizzo International, Inc. and Gannett Fleming, Inc., all with considerable embankment dam knowledge and experience. Staff recommends approving an Agreement for 7th Independent Consultant Safety Inspection Report and spillway focused potential failure mode analysis work with GEI Consultants, Inc. based on their team’s overall experience and specific knowledge of Nacimiento Dam and spillway. Proceeding with GEI Consultants, Inc. is contingent upon their co-Independent Consultants being approved by FERC, which is anticipated to occur by about July 1.
A final scope and cost for the Owner’s Dam Safety Program audit could not be completed prior to mailout deadline for the June Board meeting. Staff plans to bring an action for completing the audit to the Board’s July meeting.
The planned work schedule is as follows:
June 18, 2018 MCWRA Board of Directors consider Agreement approval
±July 5, 2018 Agreement signed and commence work
September 2018 Field Inspection and potential Failure Mode Analysis Workshop
(Dam & Spillway)
November 2018 Submit Draft Report to MCWRA
December 2018 Submit Final Report to MCWRA
By December 31, 2018 MCWRA submit Final Report to FERC
By February 28, 2019 Present Report to Board of Directors
FINANCING:
$98,930 is available in FY 2018-19 Fund 116 - Nacimiento Dam Operations and Maintenance
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
FERC approval of the Independent Consultants is required. A letter requesting approval was sent to FERC on June 8, 2018.
Prepared by: Chris Moss, Senior Water Resources Engineer, (831) 755-4860
Approved by _______________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Agreement for Professional Services
2. Board Order