City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 5, 2025
From: Todd Dusenberry, General Manager of Public Utilities Department: Public Utilities
Submitted by: Adriana Ramos, Senior Management Analyst
Subject
Services Agreement with Geoscience Support Services, Inc.
Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15262, because the project only involves feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the City has not approved, adopted, or funded. To the extent the project includes well maintenance or rehabilitation, find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from CEQA review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair, or minor alteration of existing facilities and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Services Agreement with Geoscience Support Services, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for on-call professional hydrogeological services, in an amount not-to-exceed $200,000, for a three-year term.
Background
The City currently operates seven active wells. To improve their lifespan and manage groundwater effectively, the City needs a consultant with hydrogeological expertise to assess the wells and conduct groundwater studies. This will help formulate maintenance strategies for each well and ensure the sustainable management and protection of water resources. Additionally, to boost the water supply for the City’s distribution system and make better use of its groundwater sources, the City plans to construct a new well, which will require professional hydrogeological services for a siting study and technical specifications for drilling the new well.
In compliance with Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.080, on May 22, 2025, staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for on-call professional hydrogeological services. The RFP was advertised on the City’s PlanetBids platform. The scope of services encompasses preparing a preliminary design report for a new City well, conducting groundwater studies and models, developing water supply wells, providing groundwater consulting, and helping with groundwater sustainability.
Proposal packages were received from four firms by the June 12, 2025 deadline. A qualified panel thoroughly evaluated the proposals based on professional qualifications (45%), overall approach and strategy (45%), and responsiveness to the RFP (10%). All four responsive firms met the minimum criteria outlined in the RFP. Interviews were conducted with the two highestrated firms to gauge each firm’s suitability to meet the City’s needs. Based on the evaluation process, the proposal submitted by Geoscience Support Services, Inc. (Geoscience) demonstrated a combination of expertise, understanding, experience, and a comprehensive approach that was best suited to fulfill the scope of services detailed in the RFP. The proposal submitted by Geoscience ranked the highest score across the panel and was, therefore, deemed most qualified. Geoscience specializes in groundwater modeling, basin studies, well infrastructure, and groundwater sustainability.
VPU staff recommends that the City Council approve a Services Agreement with Geoscience for on-call professional hydrogeological services for a total amount not to exceed $200,000.
Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(A), City Council approval is required for the proposed agreement, as the total value of the contract exceeds $100,000.
The proposed Services Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $200,000. Sufficient Funds are included in the Water Fund, Professional Services-Technical, Account No. 058-070-700-529225 for the current fiscal year and will be budgeted in subsequent years.
Attachments
1. Services Agreement with Geoscience Support Services, Inc.