CITY OF FORT BRAGG
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES TO PROVIDE A UTILITY RATE STUDY FOR THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG AND FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 The City of Fort Bragg (City) is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a water, and wastewater rate analysis and provide alternative recommendations for modifications to the current fee structure.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fort Bragg operates and maintains a water collection, treatment, and distribution system, which provides water services to approximately 2,900 residential and commercial units. The Fort Bragg Municipal Improvement District No. 1 similarly manages a wastewater collection and treatment system, catering to a comparable number of customers. Both the water and wastewater enterprise funds operate in a manner similar to private businesses, with the costs of delivering continuous water services primarily financed or recovered through user charges.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the rate study is to evaluate whether a reasonable relationship exists between the current costs of providing services and the fees charged to customers. This analysis will also consider compliance with the requirements outlined in Proposition 218. Currently, the water and wastewater rate structures are based on recommendations from studies conducted by NBS in 2013. Since then, these rates have been increased incrementally, with the most recent adjustment occurring in the fiscal year 2019/20.
SCOPE OF WORK
This contract would consist of the following tasks:
Review Rates and Develop Recommendations: Conduct a thorough review of existing water and wastewater rates and funds, and develop alternative, legally compliant rate structures that cover all costs for at least 10 years.
Project Schedule: Provide a completion schedule with identifiable deliverables, including preliminary and final reports.
Meetings and Presentations: Meet with City staff and attend public meetings/work sessions with the City Council, including an initial kick-off meeting.
Rate Structure Alternatives: Propose rate structure alternatives that comply with California regulations and industry practices, considering the City's billing system capabilities. Alternatives should include options for rate increases, variable rate systems, wastewater rates based on residential usage, and rate structure alternatives consideration of mass-based fees for wastewater rates.
Consumer Education: Include information to help educate the public on the chosen rate structure plan and the reasons for any rate increases.
Draft Reports: Provide an administrative draft report for City staff review and a draft report for presentation to the City Council.
Council Presentations: Present the draft report at a Council meeting.
Final Reports: Prepare an administrative final report for City staff review and a final draft report for presentation to the City Council.
Final Presentation: Present the final report at a Council meeting.
Submission: Submit an electronic copy of the final report and all necessary background documents.
PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposers should send a complete digital proposal, collated into one PDF document, and 3 printed copies of the completed proposals and cost bid so that it is received by the City no later than [date], to:
City of Fort Bragg
Attention: Amber Weaver, Acting City Clerk
416 N Franklin St.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
[email protected]
Email subject lines should read "Proposal for Utility Rate Study - [Consultant’s Name]." Format: The printed proposal should be 8 ½ x 11 inches, printed two-sided on recycled and recyclable paper with removable bindings, bound in a single document, and organized in sections following the order specified under contents.
Contents: The proposal shall contain the following information:
A. Firm Description
Provide a description of your firm and list relevant information about capabilities, size, rate of services, and length of time in existence.
B. Relevant Experience
Describe relevant experience conducting utility rate studies for other public agencies.
C. Key Personnel Qualifications
Identify key personnel who would work on the project as assigned, their respective roles, and a synopsis of relevant experience.
D. References
List of public agencies or clients for whom similar work has been performed, with the name, title, and phone number of a contact person. The City may request a copy of a similar report prepared previously by the firm for another agency.
E. Scope of Work
Provide an explanation of tasks associated with the project, including how you propose to complete each task.
F. Budget and Schedule of Charges
Provide a “Not to Exceed” amount and a list of Personnel Rates, Travel Reimbursement Costs, and Job Descriptions for Personnel. Work Schedule Provide a schedule for completion of work.
Insurance
The individual or firm receiving the contract shall procure and maintain for the duration of the contract, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property that may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder by the Consultant, his agents, representatives, employees or subcontracts as set forth in Section 5.0 of Exhibit A which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. Any requests for reduction in the insurance amount shall be included in the proposal. The cost of such insurance shall be included in the consultant’s proposal.
Consultant Agreement
The City’s standard consultant services agreement is attached as Exhibit A. Please identify if your firm would have any issues with the provisions of the City’s standard consulting services agreement. All requests for amendments to language in the agreement must be included in the proposal.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
Capabilities and resources of the firm.
Qualifications and experience of key individuals.
Schedule for completion of work.
References from other agencies.
The above selection criteria are provided to assist proposers and are not meant to limit other considerations that may become apparent during the course of the selection process.
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the City of Fort Bragg and a recommendation for award of contract will be presented to the Fort Bragg City Council.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The City of Fort Bragg reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. This Request for Proposals does not commit the City to award contract, pay any costs incurred in the preparation of proposals, or to procure or contract for supplies or services. The City of Fort Bragg reserves the right to negotiate with any qualified source or to cancel, in part of or in its entirety, this Request for Proposals, if it is in the best interest of the City to do so. The City may require the selected consultant to participate in negotiations, and submit such price, technical or other revisions of the proposal that may result from negotiations.
QUESTIONS
Questions should be directed to:
Merilyn Tiriboyi
Assistant Finance Director
City of Fort Bragg, Finance
416 N Franklin St.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 961-2825 ext. 123
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit "A" - City's Standard Professional Services Agreement