FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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SUPPLEMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES, CONTRACT NO. PSA2026-001
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve Professional Services Agreements to provide Supplemental Engineering Services, Contract No. PSA2026-001, for a three-year period with two one-year renewal options effective October 1, 2026, for a combined total amount not to exceed $55,800,000, initially allocated as follows:
• AECOM Technical Services, Inc. - $27,900,000
• Jacobs Project Management Co. - $27,900,000; and
B. Authorize the General Manager to transfer funds between the two Professional Services Agreements, as needed, to align contract budgets with actual workload distribution, with no increase to the total Board-authorized amount.
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BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) delivers a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and complex repair projects that require project management, project engineering, resident engineering, inspection, construction support, and specialized technical services.
Since 2002, OC San has used Supplemental Engineering Services (SES) agreements to support CIP and small project delivery. Typical SES roles include project managers, project engineers, electrical engineers, resident engineers, and inspection staff. The largest need is for construction support roles, including resident engineers and inspectors. OC San also uses SES for specialty roles that are not maintained by staff, such as structural engineering and specialized rehabilitation work.
In April 2022, the Board approved SES agreements with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. and Jacobs Project Management Co., for a three-year period with two one-year renewal options. In December 2025, the Board authorized the General Manager to transfer funds between those agreements to balance contract budgets through April 2027 with no increase to the total Board-authorized amount.
In 2025, OC San completed an Engineering Department Staffing Plan in response to the FY 2025-26 General Manager’s Work Plan goal to minimize SES, improve succession planning, and streamline the project delivery process. The plan shifts long-term support positions from supplemental contract staffing to OC San full-time positions over a four-year period through the normal budget process.
During the transition period between October 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027 both SES contracts will be effective. The new contracts provide for new subconsultants.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with California Government Code Section 4526 to engage the best qualified firm “on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications” and “negotiate fair and reasonable fees”
• Ensure the public’s money is wisely spent
• Sustain 1, 5, and 20-year planning horizons
PROBLEM
OC San’s staffing requirements for the CIP workload exceed the Engineering Department’s current and future staff capacity. Although the Engineering Department Staffing Plan will reduce reliance on SES over time, OC San still needs supplemental resources to maintain project delivery, provide long-term construction support, address workload peaks, fill temporary vacancies, and provide specialty expertise not maintained by staff.
OC San also needs flexibility to manage the distribution of work between the two selected firms. Assignment volume will vary based on project needs, staff availability, and each firm’s ability to provide qualified resources.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve two Professional Services Agreements to provide Supplemental Engineering Services and authorize the General Manager to transfer funds between the agreements, as needed, without increasing the total Board-authorized amount.
When OC San identifies a project or specialty support need, the two firms will be requested to propose qualified staff. OC San will select the most appropriate resource or team for each assignment and either authorize the staff to fill the staff role or negotiate the budget and schedule for the task.
The General Manager’s authority to transfer funds between the two agreements will allow OC San to balance contract capacity based on actual utilization and the availability of qualified staff from each firm. This authority will not increase the total Board-authorized amount.
Staff will continue to provide quarterly reports to the Board of Directors on the utilization of the SES contracts through Engineering’s Contracts Performance Report.
TIMING CONCERNS
Awarding these agreements in July 2026 will help to retain existing SES staffing as the existing agreements expire. Delaying approval could create resource gaps while new OC San positions are phased in and the CIP continues.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Without these supplemental engineering resources, OC San may need to delay projects or separately procure specialty services as needs arise, resulting in project delays and additional administrative costs.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Consultant Selection:
OC San advertised and requested proposals for Supplemental Engineering Services, Contract No. PSA2026-001, on January 28, 2026. The following evaluation criteria were described in the Request for Proposals and used to determine the most qualified consultants.
|
CRITERION |
WEIGHT |
|
Project Understanding and Approach |
35% |
|
Related Project Experience |
30% |
|
Project Team and Staff Qualifications |
35% |
Three proposals were received on March 9, 2026, and evaluated in accordance with the evaluation process set forth in OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance by a pre-selected Evaluation Committee consisting of OC San staff: three Engineering Managers. The Evaluation Committee also included one non-voting representative from the Contracts Administration Division.
The Evaluation Committee scored the proposals on the established criteria as summarized in the table below:
|
|
Firm |
Approach (Max 35) |
Related Experience (Max 30) |
Team (Max 35) |
Total Score (Max 100) |
|
1 |
Jacobs Project Management Co. |
34 |
29 |
32 |
95 |
|
2 |
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. |
27 |
23 |
28 |
78 |
|
3 |
Hazen and Sawyer |
25 |
20 |
25 |
70 |
Based on the proposal scoring, Jacobs Project Management Co. and AECOM Technical Services, Inc., were ranked as the two most qualified firms. The Evaluation Committee determined interviews were not necessary and selected Jacobs Project Management Co., and AECOM Technical Services, Inc., as the most qualified consultants.
Jacobs Project Management Co. demonstrated qualified staff resources, familiarity with OC San’s project delivery needs, and leadership that supports continuity. AECOM Technical Services, Inc., demonstrated a structured approach, a deep bench of staff, experience providing supplemental staff to other public agencies, and dedicated field staff supervision. Together, the two firms provide qualified resources to support OC San’s ongoing project delivery needs.
Review of Fee Proposal and Negotiations:
Proposals were accompanied by sealed fee proposals. In accordance with OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance, the fee proposals of only the two highest-ranked firms were opened after approval by the Director of Engineering of the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation.
Staff negotiated final contract terms with Jacobs Project Management Co., and AECOM Technical Services, Inc., including fringe and overhead rates and applicable contract terms. Based on the above, staff has determined that the final negotiated terms are fair and reasonable and recommends award of the Professional Services Agreements to Jacobs Project Management Co. and AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
Contract Value:
The agreements will provide services through task authorizations, task directives, and program role assignments. OC San will authorize specific work only as services are needed. The initial amount for each agreement is $27,900,000, with a not to exceed amount of $55,800,000. The General Manager may transfer funds between the agreements as needed, with no increase to the total Board-authorized amount.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28). Costs will be charged to approved project budgets. The authority to transfer funds between agreements will not increase the total Board-authorized amount.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Draft Professional Services Agreements
• Presentation
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