Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve a renewal, extension, and amendment of a contract with SWCA Incorporated to continue to provide water quality sampling and analysis for Comal and San Marcos springs ecosystems, in an amount not to exceed $431,000.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 10-16-858 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving a two-year renewal, extension, and amendment of Contract No. 13-656-HCP, between the EAA and SWCA Incorporated to continue to provide water quality sampling and analysis for Comal and San Marcos springs ecosystems, in an amount not to exceed $431,000, for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the contract renewal.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to approve the renewal of a contract between the EAA and SWCA Environmental Consultants to continue to provide an expanded water quality monitoring and sampling analysis program for the Comal and San Marcos springs ecosystems, as required by the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). Specifically, section 5.7.2 of the (EAHCP) requires the EAA to “…manage and oversee the expanded monitoring of water quality around Landa Lake and the Comal River, and Spring Lake and the San Marcos River to include stormwater sampling and additional groundwater and surface water sampling as necessary …”
The original contract term was two years (January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015) with three one-year renewal options. The EAA executed the first one-year renewal option extending the contract through 2016. For 2017 and 2018, staff is recommending the board approve an amendment to the contract to combine these two years into one renewal and extension. This and other amendments to the contract will address changes in the EAA’s approach to water quality sampling in the Comal and San Marcos ecosystems that establishes a two-year sampling cycle. If approved, this will effectively be the last renewal option identified in the original contract. The total contract, as now renewed, extended, and amended, is not to exceed $431,000. Costs for 2017 will not exceed $145,700, and for 2018, will not exceed $285,300. The new contract expiration date will be December 31, 2018.
In accordance with Article 10.02(b) of the EAA's Bylaws, contracts whose value exceeds $100,000 are required to be approved by a written resolution. A draft resolution and order, and the letter of renewal of Contract No. 13-656-HCP, which have both been reviewed by legal counsel, are attached to this item.
At the September 27 meeting, the Research & Technology Committee voted to recommend the board adopt a resolution and order of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving a two-year renewal, extension, and amendment of Contract No. 13-656-HCP, between the EAA and SWCA Incorporated to continue to provide water quality sampling and analysis for Comal and San Marcos springs ecosystems, in an amount not to exceed $431,000, for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the contract renewal.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is not an M/WBE vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the EAA's policy direction as set forth in the EAA 2016-20 Strategic Plan: Goal A. Sustain Federally Protected Aquifer-Dependent Species.
A Water Quality Sampling program is required of the EAA to maintain compliance with the Incidental Take Permit issued by USFWS on March 18, 2013. Specifically, this item is related to the obligations of Section 5.7.2 of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $145,700 is included in the 2017 proposed EAHCP operating budget. The 2018 budget of $285,300 will be included in the 2018 proposed budget.