City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Sara Sandoval, Management Analyst
Subject
Report on Contract Award to Tetra Tech, Inc. Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation
Receive and file the report on the award of a Professional Services Agreement to Tetra Tech Inc., for a five-year term to conduct vapor monitoring and sampling services of the Former Thermador Site for a not-to-exceed cost of $96,429, as approved by the City Administrator pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Sections 3.32.110(B)(2) and 3.32.220(B).
Background
Since the City's acquisition of the former Thermador site located at 5119–5309 District Boulevard, the City has utilized the services of Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) for necessary environmental assessments and remediation activities in accordance with requirements for the site established by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
On August 8, 2013, the City Council approved a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with DTSC, after which the City implemented multiple remediation efforts to address on-site contamination. These efforts successfully achieved soil contamination closure, allowing the site to be redeveloped for residential and industrial uses. As part of the closure requirements, DTSC requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the site for a period of 30 years.
Under the DTSC-approved Operations and Maintenance Plan, Tetra Tech has historically provided vapor monitoring and sampling services at the site. The firm possesses extensive institutional knowledge of the property and played a key role in the environmental remediation activities conducted at the site. Based on its familiarity with the site and its historical involvement, DTSC recommended that Tetra Tech continue providing these services.
The City's previous agreement with Tetra Tech expired on June 14, 2026. To ensure continued compliance with DTSC requirements and maintain continuity of services, the City Administrator approved a new five-year Professional Services Agreement with Tetra Tech effective June 15, 2026 for a cost not-to-exceed $96,429.
Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110(B)(2), the City Administrator determined that a direct award of the agreement was in the best interests of the City. This determination was based on Tetra Tech's unique expertise, extensive historical familiarity with the site, DTSC's recommendation to maintain continuity of services, and the inefficiency, additional cost, and potential risk associated with transitioning the work to a new consultant.
Additionally, pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.220(B), the City Administrator approved a contract term exceeding three years, as rebidding the services was determined to be commercially unreasonable and continuation of services with Tetra Tech serves the City's best interests. This report regarding the direct award of the contract without a competitive selection process and for a term exceeding three years is provided to City Council pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.110(B)(3).
Fiscal Impact
The total cost of the five-year agreement is not-to-exceed $96,429. Funding is available in the Health Department's Professional Technical Services Account No. 011-020-200-529225 for Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27 and will be included in future fiscal year budgets as necessary.
Attachments
None.