Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 18
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 1, 2025
TOPIC: Agreement for Water Quality Sampling and Testing Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc. for Water Quality Sampling and Testing Services (Specification No. 25-071) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve an agreement with Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc., to conduct water quality sampling and testing services for an amount not to exceed $612,205, for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028, with provisions for two, one-year renewal options. (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City’s Public Works Agency, Water Resources Division (PWA) administers and maintains the City’s public water system, which provides high quality drinking water to the residents and businesses of Santa Ana. The California State Water Resources Control Board, in accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations entitled “California Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring Regulations,” enforces the primary and secondary drinking water standards for public water systems. The City, as a public water system, must comply with these drinking water standards, which require testing of the City’s water system by a laboratory accredited through the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
The City maintains 50 designated water quality sampling stations strategically located throughout its service area. All routine water quality samples are collected from these sites. These services include, but are not limited to, the collection, testing, and analysis of water samples to monitor bacteriological indicators, general physical characteristics, weekly fluoride levels, and various regulated constituents, disinfection by-products, and nitrates. All sampling and analysis activities are conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal water quality standards.
The current agreement for these services is held by Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc. The term of the agreement was for a five-year period from July 21, 2020, to July 20, 2025, and was for a total not to exceed amount of $585,000.
Agreement for Water Quality Sampling and Testing Services July 1, 2025
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On April 21, 2025, PWA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 25-071 on the City’s online bid management and publication system, PlanetBids, to solicit proposals from qualified, state-approved laboratories to perform water quality testing services.
The following table summarizes the participation of laboratories for RFP 25-071:
78 Vendors notified
0 Qualified Santa Ana vendors
4 Vendors downloaded the RFP packet
2 Proposals were received
Proposals were solicited, opened on May 19, 2025, and evaluated. Two proposals were submitted by the RFP deadline and were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City’s requirements. An evaluation committee reviewed and rated the proposals according to the criteria listed in the RFP and the following summarizes their rankings:
Consultant City Rank
Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc. Grand Terrace, CA 1 A-Tech Consulting Orange, CA 2
Staff recommends awarding a contract to Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc. based on their high rating, competitive pricing, and excellent service record. The proposal contained a clear path toward achieving City goals and objectives as required by the RFP. Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc. holds the current agreement for water quality testing services and has provided the City with exceptional service during this period.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Water Enterprise Funds are budgeted in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget under the following accounts. Subsequent funding for the renewal options, if exercised, will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit
- Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account No.
Description
Amount
Contract (3-Year Term)
2025-26 06017644-
62300 Water Water Quality, Contract
Services-Professional $122,441
Agreement for Water Quality Sampling and Testing Services July 1, 2025
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2026-27 06017644-
62300 Water Water Quality, Contract
Services-Professional $122,441
2027-28 06017644-
62300 Water Water Quality, Contract
Services-Professional $122,441
Optional Two, 1-Year Extensions
2028-29 06017644-
62300 Water Water Quality, Contract
Services-Professional $122,441
2029-30 06017644-
62300 Water Water Quality, Contract
Services-Professional $122,441
Total: $612,205
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Clinical Laboratory of San Bernardino, Inc.
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director, Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager