May 26, 2026
Public Works
DATE: May 26, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Darin Fitzpatrick, Assistant Deputy Director of Public
Works, Operations & Maintenance
Subject:
Contract with AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. for On-Call Backflow Inspection, Testing, and Repair Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed not-to-exceed contract amount of $150,000 for the initial three-year term, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms for a total
potential contract amount not to exceed $250,000, will be funded through the approved Public Works Parks and
Landscape Maintenance Unit operating budget and other
applicable Public Works maintenance program funding
sources. Funding for the initial term is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, and future-year
costs will be budgeted accordingly. Services will be
authorized on an as-needed basis through work
authorizations issued by the Public Works Department.
No additional appropriation is required (Account String:
01233631-400537).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Public Works seeks authorization to enter into a contract with AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. to provide on-call
backflow inspection, testing, installation, and repair
services to maintain compliance with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) cross-connection control
requirements and Title 17 of the California Code of
Regulations.
AGENDA
REPORT
May 26, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a contract with AAA
Backflow Prevention, Inc. for on-call backflow inspection, testing, and repair services with a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000, for an initial three-year term with two one- year extension options, for a total payment limit of
$250,000 - Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria
510-620-5478/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044)
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond maintains irrigation systems and water service infrastructure throughout parks, landscaped medians, and municipal facilities. These systems include approximately 110 to 120 backflow prevention assemblies that protect the City’s potable water supply from potential cross-connection contamination. These devices must be inspected and tested annually and maintained in compliance with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Cross-Connection Control Program and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
To maintain regulatory compliance and ensure the continued safe operation of the City’s irrigation and water infrastructure, the Public Works Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the City’s BidsOnline procurement system for on-call backflow inspection, testing, installation, and repair services. The solicitation was released on October 31, 2025, and proposals were due on December 1, 2025 (Attachment 1). A total of 135 vendors were notified of the solicitation through the City’s BidsOnline system (Attachment 2).
At the close of the solicitation period, one responsive proposal was received from AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. City staff reviewed the proposal and determined that the firm met all minimum qualifications and demonstrated the experience, staffing capacity, and technical expertise necessary to perform the required services. Although only one proposal was submitted, staff found the pricing to be reasonable based on industry standards, previous contract pricing, and the scope of services required.
AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. specializes in backflow testing and cross-connection control services and has extensive experience performing similar services for municipal and public agency clients. Based on the qualifications, responsiveness, and pricing submitted, staff determined that AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. provides the best overall value to the City (Attachment 3).
Under the proposed agreement, the contractor will provide:
Annual inspection and certification of backflow prevention assemblies Repair and retesting of failed devices
Installation or replacement of backflow assemblies as directed Emergency response services when needed
May 26, 2026
Documentation and reporting required by EBMUD
Inventory tracking and reporting for City-owned backflow assemblies
The contract will be issued on an on-call, as-needed basis to support ongoing regulatory compliance, protection of the potable water supply, and continued operation of the City’s irrigation and water systems.
City staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving a contract with AAA Backflow Prevention, Inc. for on-call backflow inspection, testing, and repair services in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for an initial three-year term, with the option to extend the contract for up to two additional one-year terms, for a total contract amount not to exceed $250,000 (Attachment 4 and 5).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFP – On-Call Backflow Inspection, Testing, and Repair Services Attachment 2 – Bid Summary
Attachment 3 – Vendor Pricing Schedule
Attachment 4 – Resolution
Attachment 5 – Proposed Contract