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APPROVE FINDINGS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO VERDANTAS INC. TO COMPLETE AN URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt 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 two-year contract to Verdantas Inc. in the amount of $104,467 to complete an Urban Water Management Plan to satisfy all Department of Water Resources (DWR) requirements.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) is comprised of three enterprise funds including Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities. The Water Utility provides drinking water service to the northern and southern regions of the Stockton Metropolitan Area, with the California Water Service Company and San Joaquin County serving the central region. The Delta Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) began operation in May 2012, providing up to 30 million gallons per day of treated surface water from the San Joaquin Delta and Mokelumne River.
The City of Stockton MUD is required to comply with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) and prepare an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years and submit the plan to the DWR. The UWMP serves as a critical planning document that evaluates urban water supply reliability, future water demands, and alignment with state water efficiency goals. An updated UWMP must meet the latest statutory requirements and be accepted by the Department of Water Resources.
Staff recommend that the City Council award a two-year contract to Verdantas Inc. for a total contract price of $104,467 to complete a new UWMP to satisfy all Department of Water Resources and California Water Code requirements (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1983, the California State Legislature enacted an Act, codified in Section 10610 of the California Water Code as Water Code section 10620, that requires an urban water supplier prepare and adopt an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Once adopted, the Water Code requires that the UWMP be updated every five years. As a water supplier providing potable water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers, the City of Stockton must comply with DWR requirements and the California Water Code.
In 2010, before the construction of the Delta Water Supply Project (DWSP), the City submitted an UWMP for the DWTP to the State. In addition, three updates have been submitted since 2010, with a fourth update and latest update due to DWR by July 2026.
On March 20, 2025, the City advertised a Request for Proposals for Urban Water Management Plan Services, Project No. PUR 25-031.
On April 10, 2025, three firms submitted proposals; Black Water Consulting Engineers, Verdantas Inc., and West Yost & Associates Inc. Proposals were evaluated based on qualifications and experience, industry experience, capacity, and ability to meet the DWR requirements. Verdantas Inc. received the highest ranking based on the noted criteria and was determined to be the most qualified firm for this project.
Staff recommend that the City Council award a two-year contract to Verdantas Inc. for a total contract price of $104,467 to complete a new UWMP to satisfy all Department of Water Resources and California Water Code requirements (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code 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. 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 the criteria ensures that the selected vendor will provide the highest quality professional service.
2. It is in the public interest to complete periodic urban water management plans to meet the Department of Water Resources (DWR) requirements and evaluate long-range water planning and ensure adequate availability and reliability of the water supply.
3. City staff do not have the technical expertise to prepare the Urban Water Management Plan in a timely and cost-effective manner.
4. City staff negotiated a contract following solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Delta Water Administrative division account has available funds to procure this service for FY 2025-26.
This action has no impact on the General Fund or any other unrestricted funds.