FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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CEQA SUPPORT SERVICES, PSA2025-004
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Support Services, PSA2025-004, for a three-year period commencing October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, with two one-year renewal options, for annual amount not to exceed $300,000 and a total contract amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) implements a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which is required to comply with CEQA. This is currently implemented on a project-by-project basis with the necessary supporting professional services provided by each projects' team.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
? Meet CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards
? Ensure the public's money is wisely spent
? Comply with California Government Code ?4526: Select the "best qualified firm" and "negotiate fair and equitable fees"
PROBLEM
The current method for implementing CEQA is decentralized - each project utilizes an environmental specialist consultant to determine and implement associated requirements. Accordingly, OC San works with many consultants for these services, and it is challenging to maintain consistency. This method of implementation is less efficient and more cumbersome to manage across the program.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a Professional Services Agreement to provide on-call CEQA support services for up to a five-year period ending in September 2030.
TIMING CONCERNS
Delaying the new agreement will prevent the transition to a more efficient use of staff time and resources when implementing aspects of CEQA such as construction mitigation measures.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
OC San will continue to implement CEQA support services in a dec...
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