The Los Osos Community Services District is out for bids now on updating its system that monitors water usage.
The CSD board on Aug. 1 approved going out for bids on its “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Modernization Project,” to replace its current old, antiquated monitoring system. The bids will include listing qualifications as well as a bid price. It’s been a long time coming.
According to a report from LOCSD General Manager Ron Munds, “Work on the SCADA project started during the 2019-20 fiscal year. A comprehensive report, which provided recommendations on system design, was prepared by AECOM and is the basis for the current project and RFP.”
That report also looked at the town’s storm drainage system but that portion of the project was dropped for now in a cost-saving move. The SCADA Project is one of several capital projects the CSD Board has budgeted for this year, according to Munds.
It’s not a cheap fix, as Munds said the estimated costs for what amounts to professional services was pegged at $750,000.
Munds’ recommendation was to approve the results of the RFP up to $900,000 but no more without board approval. “If the most qualified bid is above this amount,” Munds said, “the item will be brought back to the Board for consideration and possible approval. This is consistent with the recently adopted procurement policy.”
Under the approved schedule, bids are due by Sept. 3 and the District staff will review and evaluate each one from Sept. 4-13 and conduct interviews if necessary on Sept. 25. The plan is to bring a contract award item back to the Board at its Oct. 3 meeting. If all follows the schedule, they should have a firm onboard and starting work by Oct. 15.
