TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Laboratory Services Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. (City of Industry, CA) for laboratory services in the amount of $374,465 for a five-year period beginning December 1, 2025, and ending November 30, 2030.
2. Authorize expenditure/expense annually in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 in the amount of $74,893 as follows: $18,150 from A/C #177-5320-631-5632 (Stormwater Fund - Contracted Services (Private)/Lab Services), $3,468 from A/C #611-8070-682-5632 (Water Fund - Contracted Services (Private)/Lab Services), $8,385 from A/C #621-8240-682-5632 (Wastewater Fund - Contracted Services (Private)/Lab Services), and $44,890 from A/C #621-8250-682-5632 (Wastewater Fund - Contracted Services (Private)/Lab Services).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $149,786 is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 Stormwater, Water, and Wastewater Fund Budgets.
Additional funds for the remaining contract term will be requested during the next biennial budget process.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department provides essential City services, including the distribution of drinking water to over 17,000 customer accounts, wastewater collection from approximately 38,000 customer accounts, and treatment of
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approximately eight million gallons per day of wastewater at the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant (HCTP). In addition, the City monitors stormwater conveyed through the City’s Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4).
The City complies with a variety of operational and regulatory permits for the above listed services. Some of these include regulations through the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board for wastewater treatment; and a separate NDPES permit related to stormwater run-off. The City also coordinates with other local agencies and cities for joint participation in various regulatory compliance activities.
To meet the various regulatory requirements, the City is required to conduct multiple sampling events throughout the year including analysis of samples taken from the water distribution system, wastewater collections system (pre-treatment), industrial dischargers to sewer, HCTP, and from the stormwater system. While many samples are taken and analyzed by City staff at the City’s HCTP laboratory, other samples require a third-party to perform both organic and inorganic analyses.
Similar to the HCTP laboratory, third-party laboratories must be accredited through the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program and/or the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference and follow approved testing procedures prescribed by Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 40, Part 136) and Title 22 and/or California Toxic Rule Limits.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
On September 5, 2025, staff issued a Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for Laboratory Services. In accordance with Government Code section 4526 and Thousand Oaks Municipal Code section 3-10.401, contracts for professional, management, general, or special services should only be awarded to firms or persons who have demonstrated an adequate level of experience, competence, training, credentials, resources, staffing, and other professional qualifications necessary for more than a satisfactory performance of the services solicited. The award of an RFP/Q is based upon a variety of factors that demonstrate best value to the City for the solicited scope of service. The cost of the service may be considered as one of those factors; however, the lowest cost is not the sole factor in deciding who will be awarded the contract.
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On October 3, 2025, staff received three proposals from the following firms: Alpha Analytical Labs (Carson, CA), Eurofins Environmental Testing Southwest, LLC (Tustin, CA), and Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. (City of Industry, CA). Proposals were evaluated based on technical qualifications, experience with regulatory testing programs, ability to meet turnaround times, and overall cost effectiveness. After a comprehensive review of the proposals received, Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc., was determined to have a proposal that best meets the requirements of the RFP/Q. Furthermore, Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. has provided satisfactory laboratory services to the City since 2005.
In addition to the cost of scheduled annual sampling, the City may require additional sampling events due to emergencies or non-compliance situations. To meet this need, a reserve fund of 20 percent of the annual costs ($12,482 per year) has been included in the contract. Staff recommends award of a five-year agreement to Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. for laboratory services (Attachment #1) in an amount not to exceed $374,465.
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially- interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. The completed Levine Act Form for Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. is included in Attachment # 1.
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COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Kim Sherman, Assistant Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Weck Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. Agreement DPW:290-10\ev\Council\2025\110425\Laboratory Services Agreement staff report.docx