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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Task Order with Ascend Analytics, LLC for Software, License and Support Services for Integrated Resource Planning for Glendale Water & Power.
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Task Order with Ascend Analytics, LLC under an Agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority for continued Software, License and Support Services for Integrated Resource Planning for Glendale Water & Power, for a total contract not-to-exceed amount of $394,064.46 for a three-year term, with an option for the City to extend the contract for two additional one-year terms in a total amount not to exceed $279,402.64 for both years; and authorizing a one-time payment of $12,285.96 for outstanding portion of a prior annual fee.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for January 23, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Glendale Water & Power (“GWP”) utilizes PowerSIMM Software, a proprietary product by Ascend Analytics, LLC (“Ascend”) for its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) modeling and IRP reporting, portfolio management, and consulting services relating to risk-based resource planning and cost analysis.
GWP’s Task Order with Ascend under Southern California Public Power Authority (“SCPPA”) Master Goods and Services Agreement (MGSA) for Software, License and Support Services has expired. Staff is seeking to renew this agreement by executing a Task Order with SCPPA for continued use of PowerSIMM to assist with integrated resource planning and portfolio management needs.
The total initial three-year cost of said Agreement including a one-time partial payment of annual fee for prior period is $406,350.42. If the City extends the agreement for two additional one-year terms, the total cost is $279,402.64 for both years. 2{{section.number}}e
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RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Task Order with Ascend under an Agreement between Ascend and SCPPA for continued Software, License and Support Services for Integrated Resources Planning for a not-to-exceed amount of $394,064.46 for three- year term, plus a partial payment of annual fee for prior period in the amount $12,285.96, and authorize an option for the City to extend the contract for two additional one-year terms for a total not-to-exceed amount of $279,402.64.
ANALYSIS
In 2017, the City of Glendale executed a Task Order with Ascend under an Agreement with SCPPA for integrated resources planning software, license, and support services.
Since then, GWP has continuously utilized Ascend’s PowerSIMM software for its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) modeling and IRP reporting, portfolio management, and consulting services relating to risk-based resource planning and cost analysis.
GWP’s Task Order with Ascend under SCPPA’s Master Goods and Services Agreement expired in September 2023, and could not be renewed at the time because SCPPA was in negotiations for a new MGSA with Ascend on behalf its members.
SCPPA executed a new MGSA with Ascend that replaced its amended agreement, effective November 1, 2023, for a three-year term with an option for an additional three years (see Exhibits A and B).
GWP is seeking to renew its Task Order with Ascend for Software, License and Support Services under the new SCPPA MGSA to continue its access to the PowerSIMM. This software is a crucial tool for GWP’s Power Management Section because it is utilized for resource modeling and facilitates long term portfolio planning and ongoing scenario analysis. The result of these analysis assists the power planning group to make informed decision for energy purchases and procurements that optimize our Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Requirements.
Additionally, GWP is requesting authorization for a pro-rated payment of the annual fee, in the amount of $12,285.96 for the period between the time GWP’s task order expired on September 27, 2023 to October 31, 2023, while SCPPA was in negotiation to finalize a new MGSA.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Non-applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for Software, License and Support Services for resources planning is for a not-to-exceed amount of $394,064.46 for three-year term, plus a one-time partial payment of annual fees for prior period in the amount of $12,285.96.
The City may choose to extend the agreement with Ascend beyond year three, for two additional one-year terms for a not-to-exceed amount of $279,402.64 (total for both optional years).
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Funds for the first year of the agreement in the amount of $128,125, plus a one-time partial payment of fees in the amount of $12,285.96 for prior period are available in fiscal year 2023-24 budget, as outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$140,410.96 GL: 43110-5820-GWP-4680-P0000 Electric Works Revenue Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action herein is not a project and as such the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is not applicable.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744, the following are the names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CEO, subcontractors, and any person or entity with more than ten percent interest in the company proposed for contract in this agenda item report:
Officers of Ascend Analytics, LLC
Full Name Title Business Address City State Zip
Gary Dorris CEO 1877 Broadway,
Suite 706 Boulder CO 80302
Ownership Interest in more than ten percent (10%) in Ascend Analytics, LLC Full Name Title Business Address City State Zip
Sean
Burrows CFO 222 E. Main Street,
Suite 201 Bozeman MT 59715
Vena
Kostroun
VP
Development
440 Grand Avenue,
Suite 420 Oakland CA 94610
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Decline to approve Task Order for Software, License and Support Services with Ascend Analytics. Not approving the agreement will impact GWP’s ability to access PowerSIMM, the core analytic software that GWP has utilized since 2017 as a tool to perform scenario analysis, load forecasting and to analyze the potential impacts of certain resource mixes.
Alternative 2: Consider any other alternative not proposed by staff. 4{{section.number}}e
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ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Mark Young, General Manager - Glendale Water and Power
Prepared by:
Scott Mellon, Assistant General Manager - Power Management Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: SCPPA Board Resolution No. 2023-127
Exhibit B: Master Services Agreement Between SCPPA and Ascend Analytics, LLC