Title
Consider approving Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $49,526 for additional Nacimiento Dam FERC Part 12D Potential Failure Mode Analysis and reporting, bringing the total Agreement amount to $172,556; 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. 2 to the Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $49,526 for additional Nacimiento Dam FERC Part 12D Potential Failure Mode Analysis and reporting, bringing the total Agreement amount to $172,556; and, authorizing the General Manager to execute the Amendment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations Title 18, Chapter I, Subchapter B, Part 12 (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, Subpart 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) 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.
In June 2018, the Agency Board of Directors approved an Agreement for Professional Services with GEI Consultants, Inc. to perform the 7th Independent Consultant Safety Inspection Report for Nacimiento Dam. The rigor that FERC expects to be applied to the Potential Failure Mode Analysis has increased from prior years, and the consultant’s original Scope of Work estimated that the number of Potential Failure Modes would increase from 9 to between 15 and 20. The original Scope of Work included a 2 day Potential Failure Mode Analysis Workshop which was held September 26 and 27, 2018 with consultant, Agency and FERC staff. Additionaly, a supplemental half-day workshop was held on October 18, 2018 with the same attendees. After completion of the 2 day workshop and ½ day supplemental workshop and upon considerable discussion with FERC, it was determined that substantially more Potential Failure Modes need to be developed, possibly 30 more, up to a total of around 50. This will require an additional Potential Failure Mode Analysis Workshop (2 ½ days), pre-development of additional Potential Failure Modes, and additional report preparation work by GEI Consultants, Inc. for a cost of $49,526. Accordingly, additional time will be needed to complete the work. It is anticipated the final report will be ready to submit to FERC by April 2019. The report was due to FERC by December 31, 2018, and FERC must approve the time extension, which has been requested, and is anticipated to be approved.
FINANCING:
$49,526 from FY 2018-19 Fund 116 - Nacimiento Dam Operations and Maintenance
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
FERC regulations govern the consultant’s work and the final report will be submitted to FERC for acceptance.
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. 2
2. Amendment No. 1
3. Agreement for Professional Services
4. Board Order