Administrative
Report
H.16., File # 22-3996 Meeting Date: 4/19/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH MORROW MEADOWS CORPORATION TO PROVIDE
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES FOR THE CITYWIDE
WASTEWATER PUMP STATION OPERATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, FOR A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT TERM ENDING APRIL 18, 2027
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City’s sewage collection system relies on complex pumping and monitoring equipment, including a control system known as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), to ensure secure and uninterrupted transfer of the City’s sewage main lines to the downstream wastewater transmission mains. The equipment and SCADA system requires service by a consultant to continue operation of the wastewater pump stations in a safe, reliable and efficient manner. Due to their specialized technical experience with the unique and complex structure of the City’s SCADA system, the City’s preferred system consultant, Morrow Meadows, is best qualified to perform this work.
Morrow Meadows has provided technical and emergency support services for the City’s SCADA and wastewater pumping system since 2012. Approval of this contract will allow Morrow Meadows to continue providing this critical service to the City. They have provided excellent service and have been extremely responsive in implementing critical repairs and corrective actions in a timely fashion, thereby reducing and eliminating the potential for Sanitary Sewer Overflows. Funding for this agreement is available in CIP Job. No 50150.
BACKGROUND
The City’s wastewater collection system includes a network of fifteen (15) pump stations that support continuous and uninterrupted flow through the sewer lines until it reaches the downstream transmission mains operated by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. The City’s pumping control includes a SCADA system that is an integral and critical component in the remote operation and management of each of the pump stations in the wastewater collection system. If the controls malfunction, the threat of a sanitary sewer overflow or flooding is extremely high. SCADA provides immediate feedback about problem areas, so this risk is substantially diminished.
The system’s control technology, as with all electronics, is constantly and quickly changing and improving. Since the SCADA system was installed in 1998, all pump stations have been upgraded to a wireless communication system and converted to the new GE ifix software. The new system consists of Human Machine Interface (HMI) that communicates with remote Programmable Logic Controllers located at the pumping stations and monitors alarms and other operational information,
H.16., File # 22-3996 Meeting Date: 4/19/2022
Controllers located at the pumping stations and monitors alarms and other operational information, providing a reliable, secure, and standardized system.
City staff is trained on the normal operation of the SCADA control system, and generally can perform simple corrective work. However, the internal workings of the SCADA system are highly technical, and troubleshooting problems requires special skills not currently existing within City staff’s skill set.
Morrow Meadows has been providing excellent emergency response and repair services of the SCADA system for the City since 2012. They have been extremely responsive and have successfully implemented numerous critical repairs and corrective actions in a timely fashion. In addition, Morrow Meadows is currently acting as the City’s exclusive SCADA system integrator for the new Wastewater Pump Station Control Panels. They are currently working with the City on constructing the new Alta Vista Pump Station, and it is anticipated they will also work on the upcoming station rebuilds for Portofino Way and Yacht Club Way. Having a uniform system integrator helps to ensure that the City-wide wastewater system continues to operate in a safe and reliable manner.
The contract’s emergency response scope of work includes troubleshooting problems and concerns with the Pumping Control System; including but not limited to, the overall SCADA system hardware, SCADA system software programming and configuration, Verizon wireless communication system, the Central Control System located at City Hall, and the pump station’s Programmable Logic Controllers and all electrical instrumentation. The contractor is required to provide an initial response to each emergency notification within two (2) hours for all calls, including holidays, weekends, nights, etc. Emergency diagnostics and repairs can be accomplished through Virtual Private Network access, as approved by the City in advance.
Morrow Meadows has been providing excellent and diverse SCADA and pumping control services for municipalities for many years. Morrow Meadows was awarded a contract following a competitive bidding process that identified them as the most qualified firm. They have been extremely responsive and have successfully implemented critical repairs and corrective actions in a timely fashion in Redondo Beach. The work undertaken to date involved extensive field assessments, extensive programming and coordination with the City’s IT Department, and the development of system logic and draft drawings.
COORDINATION
The scope of work identified in the contract will be coordinated between the Public Works and Information Technology Departments. The attached agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding: Expenditures:
Wastewater CIP No. 50150 $ 500,000 Morrow Meadows Contract $ 500,000 Total $ 500,000 Total $ 500,000
APPROVED BY:
H.16., File # 22-3996 Meeting Date: 4/19/2022
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
Morrow Meadows Corporation Contract