Title
Consider approving Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $24,100 for an external audit of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program for Nacimiento Dam, bringing the total Agreement amount to $123,030; and, authorizing the General Manager to execute the Amendment.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $24,100 for an external audit of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program for Nacimiento Dam, bringing the total Agreement amount to $123,030; and, authorize the General Manager to execute the Amendment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Agency Board of Directors adopted an Owner’s Dam Safety Program (ODSP) for Nacimiento Dam in compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations on April 28, 2014. FERC accepted the ODSP by letter dated April 11, 2014. Section 10.2 of the ODSP specifies that every five years, in conjunction with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 18, Part 12D five-year Independent Consultant inspection cycle, the Agency’s dam safety program be audited by a qualified outside party.
A Request for Proposals to complete the ODSP audit (along with the Part 12D Independent Consultant inspection) was sent to ten consulting firms in early May. An Agreement with GEI Consultants, Inc. was approved by the Board of Directors on June 18, 2018 to complete the 7th Independent Consultant Part 12D inspection and report, and spillway focused Potential Failure Mode Analysis. A final scope and cost for the ODSP audit could not be completed prior to mailout deadline for the June Board meeting, so that work is brought as Amendment No. 1 to that Agreement.
Accordingly, staff recommends that Mr. Richard Sanchez, P.E., of GEI Consultants, Inc. perform the external ODSP audit. Mr. Sanchez has 39 years of engineering experience with approximately 24 years’ experience in dam engineering and dam safety work, including safety assessments and evaluations, construction oversight and project management. Mr. Sanchez has performed a great deal of dam related engineering work with GEI Consultants, Inc. and particularly with the California Department of Water Resources, including 12 years as Area Engineer and Regional Engineer with the Division of Safety of Dams. The ODSP Audit scope of work and payment provisions are attached.
The audit will consist of reviewing the ODSP, Dam Operations Policy, dam operation logs, safety and surveillance monitoring plan, and staff training records; participating in a field inspection of the dam to evaluate inspection procedures; interview up to nine Agency staff to evaluate understanding of dam safety responsibilities, and effectiveness of training received; prepare a report of findings, conclusions and recommendations, and present to the Board of Directors.
The audit will begin in September 2018 and be completed by January 31, 2019. A report and presentation of conclusions and recommendations will be provided to the Board of Directors at the February or March 2019 regular meeting.
FINANCING:
$24,100 FY 2018-19 Fund 116 - Nacimiento Dam Operations and Maintenance
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
FERC approval of the ODSP Auditor is required. A letter requesting approval was sent to FERC on June 27, 2018.
Prepared by: Chris Moss, Senior Water Resources Engineer, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: ___________________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Amendment No. 1
2. Owner’s Dam Safety Program for Nacimiento Dam dated February 26, 2014
3. Board Order