REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  August  15, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Public Works-17.

SUBJECT:

Environmental Laboratory Services - Consultant Agreements

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Pat Minturn, Public Works Director, (530) 225-5661

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Pat Minturn, Public Works Director

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign agreements for environmental laboratory services with: (1) Basic Laboratory, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per fiscal year for a period of one year effective retroactive to August 1, 2017, with two automatic one-year renewals; (2) B C Laboratories, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per fiscal year for a period of one year effective date of signing, with two automatic one-year renewals; and (3) Excelchem Environmental Laboratories, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per fiscal year for a period of one year effective date of signing, with two automatic one-year renewals.

SUMMARY

New multi-year agreements with three environmental testing laboratories are proposed.

DISCUSSION

The County operates water, wastewater and solid waste facilities. Laboratory analysis services are required for regulatory compliance monitoring programs. Two existing laboratory analysis services agreements expired at the end of FY 2016/17 and one other agreement was extended to July 31, 2017, by the Board at its June 20, 2017 meeting.

The County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for environmental laboratory services. Five proposals were received and evaluated by staff for demonstrated technical ability, experience with similar work, logistical considerations and cost. The three firms receiving the highest evaluations were Basic Laboratory, B C Laboratories and Excelchem Environmental Laboratories. Contracting with three laboratories provides staff with options regarding expertise, turnaround time and logistics.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may decline to award the agreements at this time. The Board may also direct staff to renegotiate the agreements or reissue the RFPs. Compliance monitoring programs would be impacted.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the agreements as to form. Risk Management has reviewed and approved the agreements. The County Administrative Office has reviewed this recommendation.

FINANCING

Adequate funds for testing for the various facilities have been included in the applicable Adopted FY 2017/18 Budgets. There is no General Fund impact.