HomeMy WebLinkAbout#9 Traverse Contract AGENDA ITEM #9
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Public Utility District
MEETING DATE: June 5, 2024
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Jared Carpenter, Electric Utility Director
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Special Services Contract with Traverse
Consulting Inc. for Electric Capital Project Management
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APPROVED BY:
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the General Manager to execute a Special Services Contract with Traverse
Consulting Inc, in an amount not to exceed $100,000
BACKGROUND:
The Board approved FY2024-25 Electric Utility Budget includes significant capital
improvement projects in alignment with the District's adopted strategic goals and
initiatives. Some of these projects have major completion milestones in mid-2025. In
addition to the District's annual maintenance plans, staff has been tasked with several
local development projects (West River Street, Tahoe Donner Ski Lodge, etc.). After
evaluating the workload and project timelines for the District's electric engineering staff,
it has been determined that additional engineering consulting services would be
beneficial in more efficiently completing some of the more unique projects on the
calendar.
ANALYSIS AND BODY:
Traverse Consulting has been identified as a firm offering the specific skill sets and
experience the District is seeking to assist in managing the engineering workload for
FY2024-25. The capital projects the District anticipates assigning Traverse Consulting
services are listed in the chart below.
Type Project 2024 2025 Notes
CapitalBESS (Battery Energy Storage $500,000 $1,500,OOOBudgeted
System)
CapitalElectric SCADA Upgrade $400,000 $450,OOOBudgeted
CapitalGlenshire Substation/Switch $10,000 $200,OOOBudgeted
Construction
CapitalSafety, Reliability, and Resiliency $500,000 $515,OOOBudgeted
Improvement Projects
CapitalCommunity Solar + EV Charger $100,000 $ 50,OOONot Budgeted
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Total $1,510,000 $2,715,000 $ 4,225,000
The District currently has engineering firms currently active in a variety of electric
projects, and plans to expand those services with those firms in the delivery of the
budgeted projects. However, the projects in the table above require specific project
management separate from engineering design to ensure timely delivery, installation,
and successful commissioning. While District staff are skilled at engineering and
designing a primary substation, incorporating a BESS and a solar array are new
technologies for the District. While the specific engineering and construction do not
pose an overwhelming challenge to staff, the challenge is to manage the design,
building, and constructing all of these simultaneously, at the same location or
electrically tied to the same circuit. For example, commissioning of the BESS has to
align with the substation and the solar array in an order that does not negatively impact
the District's distribution grid, or void the warranty of the equipment just installed. The
most effective method to ensure these projects are successful is to add the services of
a project manager who has direct experience with these specific project types to
support District engineers, as well as on the phases of the project necessary to
integrate these modern technologies into our electric grid. Traverse Consulting was
chosen due to their experience with micro-grids (battery and solar), electric vehicle
infrastructure design, modern electric distribution design, system hardening and
security, and general electric utility project management. Traverse will not be
performing engineering design that is being done by District Engineers. Traverse is
specifically focused on project management, incorporation, and the successful
commissioning of this approved capital work.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
District Code 1.05.020 Objectives:
4. Provide reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
5. Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner.
District Code 1.05.030 Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency
2. Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable resilient environment for all our
communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposal to meet TDPUD's scope of work included a not-to-exceed total of
$100,000. The scope of work is directly related to specific capital projects and the
Traverse Consulting costs will be charged proportionally to applicable projects. The
electric utility has sufficient capital funds to afford this cost.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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