Title
Recommendation of Approval for AGR26-62 with Bohannon Huston, Inc. (BHI) and their sub-consultant, John Shomaker & Associates, Inc. (JSAI), for the Revised Long-Range Water Supply Plan in the Amount of $224,000.00 plus applicable NMGRT
Recommended Action
I move that the Board of Public Utilities recommend approval of AGR26-62 with Bohannon Huston, Inc. (BHI) and their sub-consultant, John Shomaker & Associates, Inc. (JSAI), for the 40-Year Long-Range Water Supply Plan update in the base amount of $142,650.00 plus the optional services in the amount of $56,550.00 to complete a new point of diversion permit application and hydraulic model development/verification, and a 12.4% contract contingency of $24,800.00, for a total authorized contract amount of $224,000.00 plus applicable gross receipts tax, and forward to Council for final review and approval.
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends that the motion be approved as presented and forwarded to Council.
Body
Back in 2006, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) hired Daniel B. Stephens & Associates to write our 40-year water plan. That same company helped us do a big review of the plan in 2018 to update our population and water demand numbers based on advice from local water experts and the State Engineer's office. For today's current times, the County is looking to update the plan again to keep up with future needs. DPU put out a formal request for proposals under RFP 26-62, and staff recommends Bohannon Huston and their sub-consultant John Shomaker & Associates. This team will look at future water needs for both the County and the Lab, check our water supply options, help us integrate our San Juan-Chama water, handle state water permits, and present their findings to BPU. The basic work costs $142,650.00. We are also asking to add extra services for a new water diversion permit and a computer model of our water system for another $56,550.00. When you add a 12.4% contigency of $24,800.00 to cover any unexpected permit or modeling issues, the final contract total comes to $224,000.00 plus NM GRT.
Alternatives
The Board could choose not to award the contract or delay approval. This alternative is not recommended as the current plan requires immediate updates to align with evolving LANL expansion metrics and NMOSE compliance schedules. Delayed planning risks long-term water security.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
This project is a planned item, and funds are sufficiently budgeted within the Department of Public Utilities' Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget. (FY 26: 40-year Water Plan Update - $75,000 and Design of New Water Well at Overlook Park - $230,000) Staff impact will consist of routine contract management, data sharing, and oversight of the contract by DPU Engineering and Water Production staff, which will be managed strictly within existing operational capacities.
Attachments
A - AGR26-62_Bohannon Huston Inc.