Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022: Award of Professinal Engineering ContractCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 11.
Copyrighted
April 18, 2022
ITEM TITLE: Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022:
Award of Professional Engineering Contract
SUMMARY: City Manager requesting approval to enter into final contract negotiations
for professional engineering services with Strand Associates of Madison,
Wisconsin for the Water Department Operations SCADA System
Upgrade Project 2022 not to exceed $98,700.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Type
Water Department Operations SCADA System
Upgrade Project 2022 - Engineering Firm Selection- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
SCADA System Upgrade Project - Engineering Firm Staff Memo
Selection Memo
THE C
DUj!BQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
WAWca 914
ii
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022
Award of Professional Engineering Contract
DATE: April 13, 2022
Water Department Manager Christopher Lester is requesting permission to enter into final
contract negotiations for professional engineering services with Strand Associates of
Madison, Wisconsin for the Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project
2022 not to exceed $98,700.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Manager
THE CITY OF
DUB El
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Manager
DATE: April 12, 2022
Dubuque
AN -America CRY
151YM�� 1:�1.11-:� AJ
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
RE: Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022
Award of Professional Engineering Contract
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request authorization to enter into final contract
negotiations for professional engineering services with Strand Associates of Madison,
Wisconsin for the Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022.
BACKGROUND
The Dubuque Water Works, known as the Eagle Point Water Treatment Plant (WTP), treats
and distributes on average 7 million gallons per day (MGD) through a distribution system
comprised of over 330 miles of water main via a combined fourteen (14) storage tank and
pump station sites. The WTP operators control and monitor the treatment and distribution of
drinking water from the treatment plant via a SCADA or Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition system.
The SCADA system is linked to each of the remote distribution system sites via radio
communications from the WTP. Data collected from each of the remote sites is transmitted
back to the WTP and the operators at the plant routinely interact with the SCADA system to
make decisions on water production, storage, and overall supply to the distribution system
including during emergency situations such as main breaks or fire events. The SCADA
system is currently the only method of data collection used for informing the operating staff on
what changes are occurring in the water supply and distribution system and how the
operators need to respond.
Beyond immediate operations, the SCADA system eliminates the need for manned
operations at each remote site. It provides constant monitoring of tank and pump station
operations. SCADA also provides a level of security with immediate reports of any security
breaches or abnormal operating conditions. Having a reliable SCADA system also reduces
the number of patrols and manned visits to each of the remote sites reducing overall costs.
The current SCADA system has been in place since 1993 and the programming and
operating system, RSLogix 500, is outdated and the hardware is no longer supported by the
manufacture/vendor and will need to be replaced for continued WTP and remote operations.
In addition, the existing hardware has reached its capacity for installing new infrastructure
controls and devices required to communicate with tanks, towers, and pump stations
DISCUSSION
On January 19, 2022, the City initiated a request for engineering proposals for the Water
Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project.
The Water Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade project provides for the
replacement of the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) hardware and
software at the Eagle Point Water Treatment Plant and remote sites including the wells, pump
stations, tanks, and towers.
The programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and other major components of the existing
SCADA system have become obsolete. Additionally, very little of the softening, filtering, and
sludge treatment equipment at the WTP is currently monitored by SCADA. It is desirable to
install an Ethernet network and add additional control panels in select locations within the
WTP to connect important instruments and include provisions for future additions.
The existing SCADA software at the WTP is not compatible with the software packages
currently in use at the W&RRC. To improve efficiencies associated with problem solving or
cross training of staff, it would be desirable for the replacement SCADA system WTP software
to be compatible with, and possibly integrated into, the W&RRC SCADA system.
Replacing the SCADA system at the WTP would not only replace outdated and obsolete
equipment, hardware and software, it would also provide an opportunity to make operational
efficiency improvements.
While the current SCADA system is capable of collecting and reporting chlorine, pH, turbidity,
flow, and pressure measurements at the WTP, with chlorine, tank elevations, pressures and
intrusion alarms reporting back from the remote sites, there are additional monitoring
possibilities. With added SCADA controls, new analyzers could be introduced to provide
further on-line measurements including flow and pressure readings at the pressure reducing
vaults, distribution system flow measurement reporting as part of a District Metered Zone
program to reduce and detect leaks and main breaks, and research continues in the water
industry, the possibility of on-line monitoring for the detection of contaminants in the
distribution system.
An additional benefit of a replacement SCADA system in coordination with the change from
radio communications to fiber optic communication (the fiber optic project will be under a
separate RFP) includes the option to enhance security at the remote sites. Such security
measures would include the ability to add video cameras, motion detectors, contact switches,
keypad entry devices and card readers, which can be interfaced directly to the SCADA
system and provide live information back to the operators.
The selected design firm will be responsible for providing a "turn -key" project including review
of the existing SCADA system and connected facilities; understanding the current and future
infrastructure projects that will require SCADA connectivity; understanding the transition from
radio and telemetry communications to fiber optic; preparation of bid documents for software,
hardware, integration, installation, start-up, and turn -over; oversight and response to
contactor and owner questions; in compliance with funding, whether local or SRF monies, and
regulatory requirements; and final hand-off of a fully operational SCADA system to the City of
Dubuque. The work will under the general direction and coordination of the Water Department
Manager and his designee(s), as authorized by the City Manager and the City Council.
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Engineering Firm Review and Short List Process
The City received two engineering proposals on February 1, 2022. Each proposal was
reviewed and scored by an approved committee. Proposals were submitted by Strand
Associates of Madison, Wisconsin and Ulteig of Hiawatha, IA. The selection committee
comprised of staff from the Water, Engineering, Information Services, and an independent
consultant with experience in the water industry. The committee reviewed each proposal to
ensure that the minimum requirements of the proposal format were met. They were tasked
with reviewing each proposal using a scoring system to place qualifying proposals on a
consultant short-list for interview.
The following criteria was used to initially evaluate the submitted proposals:
1. The firm must have a high level of professional competence and a proven track record in
the planning and design of SCADA systems:
a. Qualifications and experience of the Consultant and any subconsultants.
b. Demonstration of the project team's professional expertise and technical abilities.
c. If a joint venture with subconsultants, the track records of the Firms experience
working together.
d. Experience of the Consultant working on municipal projects.
e. Experience of the Consultant working on municipal projects in Iowa.
2. Review of the quality and completeness of the written proposal. The proposal should
clearly demonstrate understanding of the City's overall objectives for the project.
3. Review of the design approach/methodology in completing scope of services such as:
a. Grasp of project requirements and level of interest in the project.
b. Creativity and problem -solving ability.
c. Ability of Consultant team to demonstrate initiative, motivation and knowledge as
an indication of their desire to work with the City of Dubuque.
4. Confirm inclusion of a proposed schedule required to complete the project.
The selection committee recommended both teams be selected for interview. The
interviews were held on February 22 and February 24, 2022. The interview format provided
for a short presentation from the consultant, if they so desired, and maximum 90-minute
Q&A from the City's selection committee.
The interview committee also completed a second round of questions and follow up call with
Ulteig to clarify
Both, the original submitted proposal and the consultant interviews were used to select the
recommended firm for the project.
Engineering Firm Selection and Recommendation
In addition to the written proposal and interview, each firm was also evaluated on their
ability to bring innovative ideas and specific understanding and knowledge of the planning
and design of SCADA systems.
During the interviews, the firms were able to present or highlight why their firm should be
selected and clearly demonstrate interest in working with the City of Dubuque.
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Strand Associates demonstrated a firm understanding of the project including a strong
understanding of SCADA controls and instrumentation systems, and integrated these fields
into the discussion on the overall operations, automation, and how they will play a role in
optimizing the current facility. Strand Associates has been successful in working with the
City of Dubuque on SCADA projects, as demonstrated at the Water & Resource Recovery
Center, as well as in Fond du Lac, WI, and Freeport, IL.
Ulteig also appeared to grasp the project generally in its scope and requirements, and was
familiar with the existing SCADA system hardware and software following a site visit to the
Water Treatment Plant. Similarly, they also provided information beyond the required items
in the request for proposal including a recommendation to complete Process Control
Narratives as part of the upgrade. Ulteig has recently completed similar work in various
locations in Canada.
The responses from each firm enabled the committee to focus on reviewing each firm side
by side. The committee is recommending the team from Strand Associates be selected for
this project due to their comprehensive and detailed understanding of the project, ability to
work and complete initial review under time of the essence conditions, and clear and
demonstrated ability to complete the necessary SCADA upgrades as part of plant
operations optimization, and past project experience with the City of Dubuque.
The following is a cost summary of each firm following clarification of the cost proposals.
Each of the proposals presented below reflect the modified original scope:
Proposed Project Cost
Estimate of Project Hours
Strand Associates Ulteig
$98,700.00
504 hrs.
$98,120.00
754 hrs.
Ave Cost/Hr. $195.83/hr. $130.13/hr.
RECOMMENDATION
The selection committee upon review of the information provided from each firm including
an evaluation of the costs associated with the full scope of services recommends the City
enter negotiations with Strand Associates.
BUDGETIMPACT
Funding for the project is identified under CIP number 740-1339 SCADA System Upgrade
which has a balance of $1,159,481. These funds are for engineering design, bid, and award
of a construction and integrator contract for the SCADA system upgrade and fiber optic
communications. At the time of the capital project fund request, the project was to be
funded using local water construction fund dollars, however due to the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law passed in November 2021 there is a possibility of favorable loan terms
and possible loan forgiveness. Therefore, project funds will be sought via the State of Iowa
Revolving Loan fund which would require a June 1, 2022 Intended Use Plan submittal date.
Upon award of the project to Strand Associates, they will complete an SRF Planning and
Design application, prepare the Intended Use Plan, and complete the design and bidding
documents in the amount of $98,700.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request permission to enter into final contract negotiations for professional
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engineering services with Strand Associates of Madison, Wisconsin for the Water
Department Operations SCADA System Upgrade Project 2022 not to exceed $98,700.
cc: Jennifer Larson, Director of Finance & Budget
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