CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: March 25, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Discussion of Ampirical Solutions Task Order 07153 for Modifications to Substation BP4
TARGET ISSUE:

STATEMENT OF ISSUE
In August 2005 the City Commission authorized the award of a Professional Services Contract to Entergy Operations, now called Ampirical Solutions, LLC, to provide substation design services under the city’s Consultant Selection Policy and consistent with the Florida CCNA statutes. On July 3, 2008 the contract for Professional Services with Ampirical Solutions Inc. was renewed for two years. The Electric Utility has identified that existing Substation BP4 must be modified to provide greater capacity to serve load in the area. To support the utility’s design engineering work, Ampirical Solutions has submitted a proposed scope of services to provide engineering and site services for the modification of Substation BP4. This agenda item is seeking approval of this task order for these services.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Option 1: Approve Ampirical Solutions task order in an amount not to exceed $885,155 for engineering and site support for the modification of Substation BP4, plus an optional $311,550 for a site representative for full time construction monitoring for a total of $1,196,705.

FISCAL IMPACT
Option 1: $1,196,705. The available balance in Project 07153 “Substation BP4 Modification” is $2,226,006.

Kevin Wailes, General Manager, Electric Utility

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Brian Fisher, Electric Power Engineering, x5034

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
The Electric Utility has identified that existing Substation BP4 must be modified and expanded to provide greater capacity and more distribution feeders to serve load in the area. This substation has two small 22 MVA power transformers that must be replaced with larger ones. Also, BP4 is an older station and has experienced a higher than normal level of maintenance. For safety considerations, the existing switchgear should be replaced as soon as possible. In addition, provision will be made in the new design for a future 230 kV connection as part of the 230 kV transmission loop from Substation BP5.

To support the utility’s design engineering work, Ampirical Solutions has submitted a proposed scope of services to provide engineering and site services for the modification of Substation BP4. The services of a site representative for $311,550 for full time construction monitoring is an option included in the proposed scope of work. The Electric Utility is also requesting approval of this option although a decision will be made at the time of construction whether or not to utilize these additional consultant services or use available Electric Utility staff. This agenda item is seeking approval of this task order for these services.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Not applicable – consultant selected pursuant to CCNA.

OPTIONS
Option 1: Approve Ampirical Solutions task order in an amount not to exceed $885,155 for engineering and site support for the modification of Substation BP4, plus an optional $311,550 for a site representative for full time construction monitoring for a total of $1,196,705.

Option 2: Do not approve the Ampirical Solutions task order for engineering and site support for the modification of Substation BP4 or the optional site representative for full time construction monitoring. This is not recommended since the load in the area continues to increase and the substation equipment is in need of replacement.

FISCAL IMPACT
Option 1: $1,196,705. The available balance in Project 07153 “Substation BP4 Modification” is $2,226,006.

Option 2: Unknown, but delaying this project may result in greater overall cost due to increased material and labor costs and decreased reliability to customers.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES
None