Consent Item 8
Consent Item 8
To: Ava Community Energy Authority
From: Chris Eshleman, Director of Energy Analytics and Electric Supply Subject: Adopting a Resolution of the Board of Directors of Ava Community Energy Authority Authorizing the CEO to Negotiate and Execute a Fifth Amendment (“Amendment E”) to the SmartBidder Master Agreement (“the Agreement”) - Software as a Service with Ascend Analytics Date: September 16, 2026
__________________________________________________________________ Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and execute a Fifth Amendment to the SmartBidder Master Agreement for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) bid optimization services with Ascend Analytics LLC (“Ascend”). The proposed Fifth Amendment would add software licenses and related services for additional battery energy storage and solar photovoltaic resources through June 23, 2027, and increase authorized expenditures for the current Agreement term from $336,110 to an aggregate amount not to exceed $600,000.
The original Agreement was executed on June 22, 2023, and has subsequently been amended four times (collectively, the “Agreement”). The Fourth Amendment renewed the Agreement for an additional one-year term ending June 23, 2027, and authorized expenditures not to exceed $336,110 for that term. The proposed Fifth Amendment would add the new resources to Ava’s existing SmartBidder platform during the current term and would not extend the Agreement beyond June 23, 2027.
Financial Impact
The proposed Fifth Amendment would increase authorized expenditures for the current Agreement term from $336,110 to an aggregate amount not to exceed $600,000 Consent Item 8
through June 23, 2027. Actual expenditures will depend on the timing of resource onboarding and the software licenses and related services provided. Based on current forecasts, staff expects expenditures to remain below the proposed not-to-exceed amount; the additional authorization provides flexibility for changes in resource onboarding schedules and related service requirements. The proposed amendment would not extend the term of the Agreement.
Analysis and Context
Ascend’s SmartBidder platform is currently used to support centralized bidding, scheduling, and optimization of Ava’s storage and renewable generation resources. As additional battery energy storage and solar photovoltaic resources are added to Ava’s portfolio, corresponding software licenses and related services are needed to support onboarding and market operations.
Adding the resources to the existing SmartBidder platform will maintain consistent operating processes, avoid duplicative systems and integration work, and support timely market readiness. Relevant platform capabilities include:
• Day-ahead and real-time market forecasting and optimized bid development; • Automated day-ahead and real-time bid submission and adjustment; • Battery state-of-charge management, dispatch optimization, and solar-plus-storage co-optimization where applicable;
• Resource-specific bidding strategies and risk controls; and • Detailed operational and financial performance reporting.
Ascend was selected through a prior staff evaluation and interview process. The proposed Fifth Amendment expands Ava’s use of the existing platform and does not constitute a new vendor selection.
Attachment
A. Resolution Authorizing the CEO to Negotiate and Execute a Fifth Amendment to the Software as a Service SmartBidder Master Agreement with Ascend Analytics LLC
Attachment Consent Item 8A
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF AVA COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE CEO TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE SMARTBIDDER
MASTER AGREEMENT - SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE WITH ASCEND ANALYTICS WHEREAS Ava Community Energy Authority (“Ava”) was formed as a community choice aggregation agency (“CCA”) on December 1, 2016, under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, California Government Code sections 6500 et seq., among the County of Alameda, and the Cities of Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Piedmont, Oakland, San Leandro, and Union City to study, promote, develop, conduct, operate, and manage energy-related climate change programs in all of the member jurisdictions. The Cities of Newark and Pleasanton, located in Alameda County, along with the City of Tracy, located in San Joaquin County, were added as members of Ava and parties to the Joint Powers Agreement (“JPA”) in March of 2020. The City of Stockton was added as a member to Ava in September of 2022. The City of Lathrop was added as a member to Ava in October of 2023. San Joaquin County was added as a member to Ava in July 2024. On October 24, 2023, Ava legally adopted the name Ava Community Energy Authority, where it had previously used the name East Bay Community Energy Authority since its inception.
WHEREAS Ava and Ascend Analytics LLC (“Ascend”) previously entered into a Master Agreement - Software as a Service for storage and renewable bid optimization software services dated June 22, 2023, which has subsequently been amended four times (collectively, the “Agreement”); and
WHEREAS pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, Ava renewed the Agreement for an additional one-year term ending June 23, 2027, and authorized expenditures not to exceed $336,110 for that term; and
WHEREAS the Agreement provides software and support services that enable centralized optimization and management of Ava’s storage and renewable generation assets in support of Power Resources’ operational and market participation objectives; and
WHEREAS Ava desires to add software licenses and related services for additional battery energy storage and solar photovoltaic resources through June 23, 2027, without extending the term of the Agreement; and
WHEREAS the proposed Fifth Amendment will increase authorized expenditures for the current Agreement term from $336,110 to an aggregate amount not to exceed $600,000.
Attachment Consent Item 8A
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AVA COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Board of Directors hereby authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and execute, subject to approval by General Counsel, a Fifth Amendment to the Agreement with Ascend Analytics LLC to add software licenses and related services for additional battery energy storage and solar photovoltaic resources through June 23, 2027, and increase authorized expenditures for the current Agreement term from $336,110 to an aggregate amount not to exceed $600,000. The Fifth Amendment shall not extend the term of the Agreement beyond June 23, 2027.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 16th day of September, 2026
Betsy Andersen, Chair
ATTEST:
Adrian Bankhead, Clerk of the Board