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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Alternative Project Delivery Method for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction of the Substation Battery, Charger and Rack System Replacement Project.
1. Resolution authorizing the General Manager of Glendale Water & Power, or his designee, to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) using the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Project Delivery Method for Substation Battery, Charger and Rack System Replacement Project for FY 2025-26, RFP No. 3998, and authorizing the City Clerk to solicit proposals.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for January 13, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Glendale Water and Power (GWP) requests Council’s adoption of a Resolution authorizing the General Manager of GWP or his designee, to issue an RFP to use the recommended alternative project delivery method for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction of the Substation Battery, Charger, and Rack System Replacement Project and authorizing the City Clerk to solicit proposals.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the General Manager of GWP to issue an RFP using the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Alternative Project Delivery Method for Substation Battery, Battery Charger and Rack System Replacement project for FY 2025-26, and authorizing the City Clerk to solicit proposals.
ANALYSIS
GWP operates thirteen substations in its service area. Each substation contains batteries, battery chargers and racks that provide critical power to substation equipment and accessories. The batteries at ten substations are nearing their 20-year end of satisfactory operational guarantee and are thus due for replacement to ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the electric system.
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The substation batteries are needed for the reliability and safety of the power grid by providing uninterrupted power supply to critical control, protection and communication systems, and during power outages, for preventing potential equipment damage.
The Substation Battery, Charger, and Rack System Replacement Project for FY 2025-26 consists of engineering, procurement and construction of the above equipment and accessories for ten substations.
On December 15, 2025, the General Manager of GWP obtained the City Manager’s approval for the proposed procurement method for the Project, as required by Glendale Municipal Code (GMC), Section 4.13.070 (see Exhibit A).
With Council’s approval, staff will issue an RFP for the engineering, procurement and construction of the Substation Battery, Charger, and Rack System Project. The engineering, procurement and construction project delivery method is the preferred method for delivering this project due to the following reasons:
1) EPC contractors perform this kind of work on a regular basis unlike City staff that may not encounter this kind of work in a decade. Thus, the EPC contractors are more efficient and less likely to encounter problems that may impact the project delivery cost, GMC Section 4.13.060(B)(2), and time, GMC Section 4.13.060(A)(7). 2) Using the EPC method lends itself to improved project quality control as all aspects of the project are handled under one entity which improves project communication among the various EPC teams. This allows for proactive and timely identification and mitigation of potential quality control issues and leads to a high-quality final product that complies with all applicable safety and performance standards, GMC Section
4.13.060(A)(9).
3) The EPC contractor will assume all of the risks involved in all material handling, especially hazardous materials such as batteries including acid spills, GMC Section
4.13.010(B)(3).
4) The City has had successes in using this delivery method on other similar projects such as the building of the Grandview substation which demonstrates that this is a good approach to perform such projects as this, GMC Section 4.13.020(I).
RFP No. 3998 is on file and available in the GWP Electrical Engineering Office.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Not Applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
The engineer’s estimate of the total project cost, including design, procurement, and construction, is approximately $650,000. Staff will return at the time of contract award with a detailed appropriation request.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The item herein is to authorize the utilization of an alternative project delivery method and the issuance of the RFP to solicit proposals, and is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and thus a CEQA analysis is not required.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Decline to authorize the issuance of an RFP using the recommended alternative project delivery method for the engineering, procurement and construction of the Substation Battery, Charger, and Rack System Project. This will result in increased costs and time delays required to design, bid for the materials, and then build the needed replacements which may jeopardize the reliability and safety of the electric grid.
2. Consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Scott K. Mellon, P.E., General Manager - Glendale Water and Power Prepared by:
Daniel Scorza, P.E., Assistant General Manager - Electric Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Memo dated December 8, 2025, and approved by the City Manager on December 15, 2025 for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Substation Battery, Charger and Rack Systems Replacement Project.