Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve a joint funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey for data collection services, in an amount not to exceed $2,621,150.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 09-19-946 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving Joint Funding Agreement No. 19-945-AMS between the EAA and the United States Geological Survey for data collection services in the total amount of $2,621,150, of which the EAA contribution will not exceed $1,875,575, for the period October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2024.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to approve the annual hydrologic data collection agreement between the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the EAA.
Since the proposed Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) formalizes a cooperative working arrangement between two public agencies, the EAA and the USGS, the project was not required to go through a competitive procurement process. Because the total expenditure is greater than $100,000, a board resolution and order is required. Attached to this summary is a draft resolution and order and the proposed JFA, both of which have been reviewed by legal counsel. A description of each JFA task is presented below.
Task 1. Surface Water Gauging.
Surface water flow data are collected for nine major basins that cross the recharge zone of the Southern (San Antonio) segment of the Balcones Fault Zone of the Edwards Aquifer. The data are used for estimating annual recharge to, and spring discharge from the aquifer. Under this JFA, the USGS will operate and maintain:
Fourteen full-range stream gauges (routine equipment)
Seven discharge below base stations
Two springflow separation stations:
Four periodic measurement stations; and
Six National Stream Information Program (NSIP) stream gauges.
A listing of specific gauges is included in the JFA. Deliverables for Task 1 are: daily spring discharge data on the internet; quarterly reports; and data published in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS Web) in near real-time.
Task 2. Conduct Edwards Aquifer Recharge Calculations and Springflow Discharge Calculations.
The annual estimates of groundwater recharge and springflow discharge from the Edwards Aquifer will be calculated using the Puente method (USGS WRl-7810). Annual recharge estimates are based on data collected from a network of stream flow and rainfall gauging stations for the nine drainage basins that comprise the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. The deliverable for Task 2 is a table of estimated groundwater recharge and springflow from the Edwards Aquifer to be provided by April 1 of each year of the agreement.
The EAA and its predecessor agency (the EUWD) have cooperated with the USGS to jointly fund hydrologic data collection projects for over 40 years. Over this time span, the EAA has entered into individual, one-year agreements. This JFA, which assumes the same annual cost as the expiring 2018-19 agreement, is for a five-year term with no cost increaases scheduled during the term. The total value of the JFA is $2,621,150 ($524,230 per year), of which the EAA contribution will not exceed $1,875,575 ($375,115 per year).
At the August 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 Joint Funding Agreement No. 19-945-AMS between the EAA and the United States Geological Survey for data collection services in the total amount of $2,621,150, of which the EAA contribution will not exceed $1,875,575, for the period October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2024.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
The United States Geological Survey is a federal agency, and as such, is not an M/WBE business.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item does not relate to a specific goal within the Strategic Plan, but supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total EAA cost associated with this JFA is $375,115 per year. Because this JFA spans multiple EAA fiscal years, funding for the first three months of the JFA ($93,778.75) is available in the 2019 operating budget. Funding for the remaining term of the JFA will be included in future operating budgets.