Item Number: 14
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: May 20, 2025
Submitted By:
Doug Mathews, Director of Public Works and Water
Subject:
Award of a Construction Agreement for SCADA Site Alarms Recommendation:
That the Honorable Board of Directors award a construction agreement to Apple Valley Communications, Inc. in the amount of $31,653.52 for the installation of SCADA Site Alarms, Project No. ESC25-100.
Fiscal Impact:
Acting in accordance with staff’s recommendation will result in a fiscal impact of $31,653.52. This project is budgeted under Water Fund 410. An additional appropriation is not required as there are sufficient funds available in the project budget to cover the planned expenses. Funds were budgeted under the following account code: 4100505 – 52300 – 70769 (SCADA Installation of Alarms).
Account Number Account Description Amount Available
4100505-52300-70769 SCADA Installation of Alarms $50,000 Although the agreement is only for $31,653.52, the cumulative amount for this vendor spent this fiscal year, including this agreement, will surpass the City Manager’s signing authority of $125,000 for a cumulative amount for this vendor of $172,930.41. Therefore, this item is being brought forth for the Board’s consideration for approval.
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with “Goal E Invest in Infrastructure" in the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026. The installation of the SCADA site alarms aligns with the Water Master Plan, ensuring site security of water assets and maintaining water infrastructure. 4 1
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Background:
SCADA, or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, is an advanced control system used to monitor and manage water infrastructure operations across the Victorville Water District (District). SCADA integrates hardware and software to collect real-time data from remote sites, such as wells, booster stations and treatment plants, allowing staff to oversee and control equipment from a central location. SCADA is crucial to the District's operations because it provides immediate visibility into system performance, alerts operators to equipment failures or abnormal conditions, and enables timely decision- making to prevent service disruptions.
The system also improves operational efficiency by reducing the need for manual site visits and ensuring consistent, accurate reporting for regulatory compliance. For a water district with widespread facilities like the District’s, SCADA is an essential tool for maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient water delivery and treatment services.
The 2021 Water Master Plan (WMP) identified improvements to the District’s SCADA system as a top infrastructure priority. One key project within the WMP, called “Alarm Remediation (Biennial)”, was included as part of the SCADA Master Plan section. The project was identified as a top priority for alarm and monitoring systems to ensure operators receive timely and accurate alerts about system performance, safety issues, or potential equipment failures, assisting in the protection of public health and a reliable water service.
Discussion:
The District requires the installation of SCADA Operator Interface Terminals (OITs) at five critical operational locations: Well 138, Well 140, Well 141, Amethyst Booster Pump Station, and White Road Booster Pump Station. The OITs are user interfaces that allow operators to interact directly with the SCADA system. These terminals enable operators to monitor real-time data and respond to alerts or issues, ensuring the efficient and safe management of the water system. The proposed OITs will provide secure, on-site access to monitor and adjust the operational parameters of the SCADA system at each of these facilities.
These terminals are sensitive access points with built-in security features to safeguard the system. However, to further enhance site security, the District is requesting authorization to also install intrusion alarm systems at each of the aforementioned locations. These alarm systems will be remotely monitored, and District staff will be immediately notified in the event of unauthorized access or building intrusion. Given the critical role that the SCADA system plays in managing the District’s water infrastructure, it is essential that these sites are both securely monitored and accessible for necessary operational adjustments. The installation of OITs and alarm systems will significantly strengthen the security and reliability of the water system.
In accordance with Victorville Municipal Code (VMC) Section 2.28.090, three quotes were solicited for the project. The lowest quote was received from Hi Desert Alarm; however, Hi Desert Alarm subsequently declined to execute the agreement. Pursuant to VMC 4 1
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Section 2.28.040, the District is requesting to proceed with awarding the Construction Agreement to Apple Valley Communications as the best value bidder, as they provided the second-lowest quote. The third quote that was received was from Mark Brown and Associates, Inc.
The table below provides a summary of the bids that were received:
Vendor Amount Location
Hi Desert Alarm $23,535.00 Victorville, CA
Apple Valley
Communications, Inc. $31,653.52 Apple Valley, CA
Mark Brown and
Associates, Inc. $59,611.50 Fontana, CA
Although the agreement is only for $31,653.52, the cumulative amount for this vendor spent this fiscal year, including this agreement, will surpass the City Manager’s signing authority of $125,000 for a cumulative amount for this vendor of $172,930.41.
Staff recommends that the Board of Directors award a construction agreement to Apple Valley Communications, Inc. in the amount of $31,653.52 for the installation of SCADA Site Alarms, Project No. ESC25-100.
Staff is available for any questions the Board may have.
Attachments: A. Construction Agreement