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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FINDINGS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO KLEINFELDER, INC. FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE GROUNDWATER WELL ABANDONMENTS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 which support and justify an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Award a Contract to Kleinfelder, Inc. of Stockton, CA, in the amount of $370,441 for Engineering Design Services for the decommissioning of South Stockton System Groundwater Wells No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3 and Delta Water Treatment Plant Agriculture Well, Project No. UH25012 (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) owns and operates several water wells that are active and supply drinking water to the distribution system throughout the Stockton water service area. Groundwater wells can operate for many years, but when a well no longer performs as designed and is not a candidate for rehabilitation, it is placed into an “Inactive” status.
South Stockton System inactive groundwater wells (No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3) and an old agriculture well located at the Delta Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) are scheduled for decommissioning and abandonment because they are non-operable or do not meet California Code of Regulations Title 22 drinking water standards.
If approved by the City Council, this action would authorize a professional services contract to design the decommissioning of South Stockton System groundwater wells No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3 and the DWTP agriculture well. These wells do not meet California Code of Regulations Title 22 (CDR Title 22) Drinking Water Quality Standards and are not viable candidates for onsite wellhead treatment improvements.
DISCUSSION
Background
The MUD owns and operates several water wells that are active and supply drinking water to the distribution system throughout Stockton water service area.
South Stockton System groundwater wells No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3 and DWTP agriculture well are scheduled for decommissioning and abandonment because they do not meet the drinking water standards established in the California Code of Regulations Title 22. Wells that fail to meet these regulatory requirements are classified as “Inactive.” The four wells identified for decommissioning have remained in inactive status for more than 20 years. In addition, the location, age, and size of the properties where these wells are situated make onsite wellhead treatment impractical and infeasible.
On October 2, 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and posted it on the City’s Bid Flash website. In addition, e-mail notifications containing a brief project description were distributed to eight design consultants.
On October 27, 2025, the City conducted a mandatory pre-proposal site walk, which was attended by four design firms.
On November 20, 2025, the City Clerk received one proposal and a sealed design cost from Kleinfelder, Inc.
Present Situation
The MUD evaluated the proposal based on the firm’s understanding of the project, experience with similar work, qualifications of the proposed team, and overall project approach. The proposal submitted by Kleinfelder, Inc. met the established evaluation criteria.
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution awarding a Contract to Kleinfelder, Inc., in the amount of $370,441 for Engineering Design Services for the decommissioning of South Stockton System Groundwater Wells No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3 and DWTP Agriculture Well, Project No. UH25012.
Findings
Pursuant to the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, the City Council may approve findings which support and justify an exception to the competitive bidding process. The following findings support and justify an exception:
1. The City does not have the technical expertise to provide a timely and cost-effective design of this project for bidding and construction in 2027.
2. The scope of services requires an engineering firm experienced in designing the decommissioning of wells in accordance and compliance with well abandonment requirements set by the State and San Joaquin County Environment Health Department.
3. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Professional Services Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of these criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service which is in the public interest.
4. The Kleinfelder, Inc. proposal is regular in all aspects and meets the required criteria.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are sufficient funds available in Fiscal Year 2025-26 in account No. 6518-000-800007-600-602-00-65-000-000 under Project No. UH25012 to award a Contract to Kleinfelder, Inc. of Stockton, CA, in the amount of $370,441 for Engineering Design Services for the decommissioning of South Stockton System Groundwater Wells No. SSS4, SSS5, old water well SSS3 and DWTP Agriculture Well.
This action has no impact on the General Fund, or any other unrestricted funds.