DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2025
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
THROUGH: HEIDI NIGGEMEYER, NPDES PROGRAM MANAGER
TITLE: MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR ON-CALL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT COMPLIANCE IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute Master Service Agreements with 2NDNATURE Software, Inc; Dudek; and Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management LLC to provide on-call National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance implementation support services from October 14, 2025 to October 14, 2030 in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000, $2,000,000 annually, subject to appropriation of funds.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The NPDES Division in Public Works oftentimes requires the services of environmental and community outreach consultants for various NPDES-related projects including, but not limited to, field GIS application development, stormwater information management system development, watershed studies, community street sweeping outreach, water quality monitoring, urban and riparian trash assessments, CEQA review, etc. To facilitate the efficient completion of these projects in the timeliest manner to meet compliance deadlines, there is a need to have On-Call environmental compliance support and community outreach consultant’s contracts (Master Service Agreements) in place to support NPDES permit compliance implementation work with 2NDNATURE Software, inc., Dudek, and Surf to Snow Environmental Resources Management LLC for an annual amount not to exceed $2 million..
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salinas was issued its current stormwater NPDES permit from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in 2019. The permit includes requirements to track and manage the effectiveness of reducing pollutants in stormwater by collecting and reporting stormwater data geospatially in a stormwater information management system and monitored via a water quality monitoring program. In addition, the permit also requires various watershed plans to be developed such as a Pollutant Load Reduction Plan or an Asset Management Plan.
On April 25, 2025, the NPDES Division issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for NPDES Permit Compliance Implementation support through PlanetBids. The RFQ was unique in that it laid out the various NPDES permit elements and asked potential consultants to submit a proposal indicating their skills and experience meeting the various different requirements. The firms submitting qualification/proposal statements were:
2NDNATURE Software Inc
Dudek
Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management LLC
Submittals were reviewed by four City staff and ranked based on the following selection criteria listed in the RFQ document:
Understanding of the Scope of Work for each Permit Element Experience with Similar Kinds of Work
Quality and Capacity of Staff for Work to be Done
Familiarity with Salinas and Phase 1 NPDES Permits
Demonstrated Technical Ability in each Permit Element
Based on these criteria and the permit elements addressed in the proposals, all three of these firms were chosen to provide On-Call consultant services on an on-going basis for a five-year period under a Master Service Agreement between the City and each of the three contractors. All three were chosen as they each had unique experience in various Salinas NPDES permit requirements; no one contractor had experience in all permit elements. Each Consultant Master Service Agreement for NPDES Permit Compliance Implementation Support is not to exceed $2 million annually for five years, beginning on October 1, 2025, through October 1, 2030. Under the terms of the Master Services Agreement, compensation will be provided per the fee schedule submitted on a project-by-project basis, with each project subject to review and approval by the NPDES Division Manager and Public Works Director.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No. Not applicable.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approval of the Master Service Agreements will assist in the efficient and effective implementation of NPDES Permit compliance requirements, which will indirectly address Infrastructure and City Services in the Strategic Plan. The Salinas NPDES Permit incorporates requirements that ensure good water quality, which is ultimately a Public Safety issue, by monitoring, requiring regular cleanups and ongoing maintenance of our waterways. NPDES permit requirements also require control of trash and discharges into our waterways, which supports the Amor Salinas efforts and the goal of providing more community volunteer opportunities (City Services); it also requires monitoring and maintenance of our green and gray Infrastructure to ensure they continue to service our community.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Public Works Department worked with the Finance and Legal Department in the review process of the Master Service Agreements.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the approval of the Master Service Agreements. Costs associated with the NPDES permit compliance implementation support services will be realized on a project basis and compensated using the Council-approved NPDES budget approved on an annual basis. On June 17, 2025 (Reso 23269), the Council approved an NPDES Operating Budget of $4,171,153 of which $2,613,273 is allocated to the NPDES 5126 Division.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 25-26 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)*
6500
50.5126-63.4980
50.5126-63.5540
50.5126-63.5010
50.5126-63.5710
50.5126-63.5900
50.5126-63.6010
Software
WQ Monitoring
Professional Services
Contract Inspection
Professional Services
Outside Services
$4,171,153
$109,560
$587,680
$488,000
$116,000
$100,000
$311,200
199
6/17/25, 23269
* The FY 2025-26 Operating Budget was adopted on June 17, 2025.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
2NDNATURE Software, Inc. Master Service Agreement
Dudek Master Service Agreement
Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management, LLC Master Service Agreement Page | 3
Page | 1
CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT