City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 18, 2023
From: Todd Dusenberry, General Manager of Public Utilities Department: Public Utilities
Submitted by: Adriana Ramos, Administrative Analyst
Subject
Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) Task Order No. Vernon-03 for Services by Radian Generation, LLC (Radian)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the General Manager of Public Utilities to execute SCPPA Task Order No. Vernon-03 for services from Radian Generation, LLC, for regulatory compliance administrative services, including the installation, maintenance, support, document migration, content development, and use of Global Audit Ready software for a total amount not-to-exceed $251,700, for a three-year period.
Background
Since 2020, Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) has utilized the services of Cooper Compliance (now Radian) to assist with the customization for compliance activities such as managing workflows, compliance tasks, document migration, content development, and more. Radian has developed a Microsoft SharePoint-based platform, Global Audit Ready (GAR), to manage compliance documents with numerous regulations, including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). GAR assists subject matter experts in meeting deadlines and manages the workflow of compliance evidence for regulatory audits and internal compliance programs. Radian provides Compliance Administrative Services and use of the Global Audit Ready Compliance Management Software through task orders under its Master Professional Services Agreement with SCPPA dated October 17, 2019 (SCPPA Agreement).
The prior task order for these services with Radian expired on December 31, 2022. Prior to the expiration date, Staff submitted a request for a new task order from SCPPA and Radian to which the parties responded on March 14, 2023. The proposed SCPPA Task Order No. Vernon-03, has a term of January 1, 2023 through October 17, 2025, and is for a total not-to-exceed amount of $251,700. The cost reflects discounted pricing made available through the SCPPA Agreement.
The scope of work under the proposed task order with Radian would consist of the following:
• Regulatory Compliance Administrative Services, including installation, maintenance, support, document migration, content development, and Global Audit Ready software. • Lease of Global Audit Ready Compliance Management Software, including maintenance and support.
• Migration of Documents (Vernon’s Compliance Programs, Records, and Evidence of Compliance) and Content Development (developing, drafting, inputting process narratives, workflows, and compliance tasks.
• NERC Compliance Administrative Services
As a SCPPA member, VPU has the ability to contract with vendors that have completed SCPPA’s competitive bidding process for professional services. As such, Radian’s services may be utilized by VPU as a participating member. SCPPA is a public entity duly organized and existing under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Cal. Government Code sec. 6500 et seq.), under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) entered into by and among the cities of Anaheim, Azusa, Banning, Burbank, Cerritos, Colton, Glendale, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Riverside, Vernon, and the Imperial Irrigation District (Members) with authority to engage in various activities supportive of the Members' electric utilities. The SCPPA Board of Directors is responsible for the general management of the affairs of SCPPA, and under the JPA, has the power, among other things, to make and enter into contracts for services specific to electric utility needs. This allows VPU and other member agencies to benefit from economies of scale and procure goods and services with volume discounts.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the task order with Radian to assist staff with regulatory compliance administrative services and offer maintenance and support for its management software. Since VPU is using a vendor competitively bid by SCPPA, the proposed task order is exempt from the City's competitive bidding and competitive selection requirements per Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110, subsections (A)(5) and (B)(1). The Finance Director is of the opinion that it is to the advantage of the City to contract with Radian through their existing SCPPA Agreement. Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(A), City Council approval of the proposed task order is necessary since the cost exceeds $100,000.
SCPPA Task Order No. Vernon-03 has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
Fiscal Impact
The total fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $251,700. Sufficient funds are available in the VPU Electric Fund, Professional Services - Other Account No. 055-050-580-529215 for FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24, and will be included in subsequent FY budgets.
Attachments
1. Task Order No. Vernon-03 - Southern California Public Power Authority