Submitted By: Brittany Craven
presenter
Presentation By: Doug Peebles
end
Department: Electric Utility
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Renewal of agreement for professional electric transmission design and engineering services with GAI Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000
end
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Engaged Workforce, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
Ocala Electric Utility (“OEU”) currently maintains a professional engineering services agreement with GAI Consultants, Inc. (“GAI”), to provide comprehensive design and construction management services for electric substations, transmission, and distribution facilities, as well as other related engineering services. These services are essential to support ongoing and future electric system reliability and capacity projects, including substation upgrades, transmission relocations, and system modernization initiatives.
GAI provides specialized expertise in the following areas:
1. 230kV and 69kV transmission utilizing steel and concrete poles and caisson foundations.
2. 230kV, 69kV, and 12kV overhead and underground lines.
3. 230kV, 69kV, and 12kV substation design and upgrades.
4. Protective relaying schemes, foundation design, and substation ground grid evaluation.
5. Civil and geotechnical engineering, including site work, stormwater, and barrier design.
Under the current agreement, GAI has supported critical projects, including the Airport 814 Feeder Upgrade, planning for the relocation of Leo White Substation, and the addition of a fourth 12kV distribution transformer at the Shaw Substation.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On December 20, 2022, City Council approved the award of Contract No.: ELE/211020 to GAI for an initial term of three years. The contract allowed for a single two-year renewal term. The services provided by GAI have been satisfactory and essential to maintaining the reliability, safety, and capacity of the City’s electric infrastructure. To ensure continuity of services and project delivery, staff recommend renewing the existing agreement for an additional term.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Individual task work orders will continue to be requested and negotiated as needed and charged to individual projects at pre-negotiated rates with GAI Consultants, Inc. Expenditures under this renewal will follow the City’s procurement and budgetary procedures.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These services were procured in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Amendment will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny