HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-11 City CouncilCity
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE: ¯MAY 11, 1998 CMR:200:98
SUBJECT:AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT C7094779 WITH RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR CONSULTING ON
GAS AND ELECTRIC INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING ISSUES,
INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $60,000, BRINGING
THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO $660,000 OVER TWO FISCAL YEARS
REPORT IN BRIEF
This report requests that Council approve a contract amendment in the amount of $60,000
for contract C7094779 with Resource Management International, Inc. The additional
funding is required to complete preparation for gas and electric industry restructuring and
will be funded from the existing FY 1997-98 operating budget.
CMR:200:98 Page 1 of 3
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize the amendment of contract C7094779 with
Resource Management International, Inc. (RMI). The amendment increases the total contract
amount by an additional $60,000 during FY 97-98. The.total contract price over two fiscal
years and three consultants (RMI, EES, and Pacific Consulting) is $660,000.
BACKGROUND
In 1997-98, RMI was hired by the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) for specialized
consulting services, with a major focus on preparing for electric industry restructuring
(CMR:102~97). RMI was to assist the CPAU in developing plans and procedures for
operating in a competitive environment, as well as assist with other activity (See Exhibit
"A"). In December 1996, the f’mal report by Theodore Barry, an organizational review of
the Utilities.Department, was presented to Council. The first major recommendation of the
study was to develop business plans and a planning process for each commodity provided
by the CPAU. ~ Staff recognized the importance of business planning in the preparation for
utilities deregulation and opted to use RMI because of its familiarity with the CPAU and the
deregulation of the energy industry. Although this work was within the scope of services of
its existing agreement, the major level of effort required to complete the task was not
anticipated. In addition, the Gas Accord proceedings at the California Public Utility
Commission (CPUC), which restructured the gas market within Northern California, became
protracted during 1997 and also required additional consultant involvement. The time
required by the consultant to perform these additional tasks, as well as others, has depleted
the funds approved for the RMI contract.
DISCUSSION
An increase in the authorized amount for the contract with RMI (C7094779) in the mount
of $60,000 is requested to fund additional services, as needed for the remainder of the fiscal
year, and as were broadly-defmed in the original scope of work, Exhibit "A" of Contract
C7094779. Exhibit "A" is attached to this report.
Staff believes that Palo Alto is in a critical period for gas and electric restruc .tufing. If the
funding is not approved, it is unlikely that staff will be able to complete all the goals related
to gas and electric restructuring, as well as complete the market analysis needed to properly
position CPAU for participating in the competitive market. Specific projects to be addressed
include: Finalizing standards of conduct, representing Palo Alto before the CPUC on gas
restructuring, assisting Palo Alto to develop a gas direct access program, assisting Palo Alto
in the development of an outside energy sales program and other matters.
CMR:200:98 Page 2 of 3
Reports regarding gas restructuring and extra-territorial energy sales will be coming to
Council in the near future. Staff believes that future consultant contracts for these services
~ be substantially lower, after the restructuring of the utility industry has passed through
the initial phase.
ALTERNATIVE TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION (OPTIONAL)
The alternative is to prepare an RFP for each task related to electric and gas restructuring.
This would be very time intensive and would slow the preparation process, causing some
goals to not be completed in a timely manner. Since the nature of the services that are to be
performed are within the scope of services of the existing contract, amending the contract
is the most expeditious approach.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds exist in the current FY 1997-98 gas and electric operating budgets that can be used
for this amendment.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not represent a change to existing City policies.
TIME LINE
The projects related to electric direct access and positioning in the electric market place are
currently in progress. A plan for gas direct access is anticipated to be presented to Council
prior to October 1998.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
PREPARED BY:W. Blake Heitzrnan, Manager of Competitive Assessment
nDW j. M EK
Director of Utilities
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
E~LY ~SON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:200:98 Page 3 of 3
AMENDMENT NO. TWO TO CONTRACT NO. C7094779
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
This Amendment No.Two to Contract No. C7094779
("Contract") is entered into , 1998 by and between
the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a chartered city and a municipal corporation
of the State of California ("CITY"), and RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California corporation located at 3100
Zinfandel Drive, Suite 600, Sacramento, CA 94570 ("CONTRACTOR").
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Contract was entered into between the
parties for the provision of consulting services in January 1997,
and the Contract was amended in July 1997; and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to again amend the Contract;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms,
conditions, and provisions of this Amendment, the parties agree:
SECTION i. The following exhibit to the Contract is
hereby amended to read as set forth in the attachment to this
Amendment No. Two, which is incorporated in full by this reference:
a. Exhibit "B" entitled "FEE SCHEDULE".
SECTION 2. Except as herein modified, all other
provisions of the Contract and attached exhibits, and subsequent
amendments thereto, shall remain in full force and effect.
980430 syn 0071408
1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have by their duly
authorized representatives executed this Amendment No. Two on the
date first above written.
ATTEST:CITY OF PALO ALTO
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
APPROVED:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC. //
,~,~ (/By:-) ","[,,.. ,, 2,.,
Its: m,.- ~.2"
Taxpayer I.D. No. ’
City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of
Administrative Services
Risk Manager
Attachments:
EXHIBIT "A":
EXHIBIT "B":
SCOPE OF SERVICES AND TIME SCHEDULE
FEE SCHEDULE
980421 syn 0071408
2
CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
(Civil Code § 1189)
STATE OF
COUNTY OF
)
)
)
A .On ~¢~ ~%, ~@~ , before me, the undersigned, a
notary public in and for said County, personally appeared
personally known to me ,-~cr
) to be the person~) whose name~ is/~-~-~
subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that
he~-~ey executed the s~e in ,~ ...., ......authorized
capacity~, and that by his/her/their signature~ on the
instrument the person~, or the entity upon behalf of which the
person~ acted, executed the instr~ent.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.PAT HOLBROOK
COMM. #1114114
Notary Public-California
SACRAMENTO COUNTY ""
980421 syn 0071408
Exhibit "A":Scope of Services ,and Time Schedule
The Scope of Setices for this contract is provided below, The consultant will be asked to
perform see’ices in one or more of the following areas.
A. Electric Utility - Technical Consulting. Legislative and Regulatory Services
Within the Electric Utility, there are three main focus areas:
-Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)
-Electric industry restructuring and related issues
-Miscellaneous consulting services
A1.WAPA - Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on key Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA} activities that may affect the CITY’S electric utility,
These services include but are not limited to:
Identify and analyze WAPA issues and activities that may impact the
rates that the CITY pays for power or impact the amount of power the
CITY receives from WAPA.
Analyze Federal and State legislative activities that may impact
CITYoIPALO ALTO: RFPI2/96)SECTION 00001-7
PART II - SCOPE of WORK or SERVICES City of Palo ARa
availability or cost of the WAPA resource.
Provide assistance in developing appropriate response strategies to
relevant WAPA issues.
Monitor key environmental proceedings such as the Bay/Delta
proceedings, State Water Resource Control Board, water quality
proceedings and others.
A2.Electric Industry Restructuring and Related Isstjes
Assist the CITY to respond to the challenges related to electric industry
restructuring, including, but not limited to:
*Identification of possible market opportunities and threats;
*Response to the challenges that the CITY may face from increased
competition;
*Analysis relating to stranded costs and customer contracts
*Assistance with n)onitoring and/or influencing any of the Western
Power Exchange (WEPEX) activities;
*Financial and technical analysis related to the Independent System
Operator (ISO) and Power Exchange (PX);
*Assistance with transmission and other FERC related issues.
*Assistance with State Legislative monitoring and intervention.
*Assistance with interventions at selected proceedings, including
technical assistance, draft tes’timony, and/or analysis of related
litigation.
A3.Miscellaneous Consulting Services
*Assistance in Planning and Economic Analysis of transmission services
and supply resources
CITY of PALOALTO: RFP{2/96)SECTION 00001-8 ,-
PART II - SCOPE of WORK or SERVICES Cib/of Palo Alto
Assistance in analyzing and developing energy price risk management
tools, products and services and in developing new energy, pricing
strategies.
Monitor, analyze, and report on key USBR, State of California,
CALFED, and San Francisco Bay, Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta
Oversight Committee Activities that may affect the CITY’S electric
utility.
Management Consulting
Contract Negotiations
Interconnection Agreement evaluation and negotiation
identification and analysis of partnering opportunities
B. Natural Gas Industry - Technical Cons~dting, Legislative and Regulatory Services
Consultant shall provide natural gas consulting services and legislative and
regulatory support to the City. The services and support are in the following task
categories:
B1.Work with the City to establish regulatory goals, objectives, and priorities.
B2.
B3.
Monitor, analyze and testify in CPUC and FERC proceedings to represent the
City’s interests.
Maintain routine and sufficient access to key policy makers and staff at the
CPUC to facilitate, upon City authorization, effective and efficient
representation of the City’s viewpoints and concerns on gas regulatory
issues.
B4.
B5.
B6.
Assist the city in attaining its gas acquisition and transportation objectives.
Monitor and intervene in the legislative process as required.
Provide the City with miscellaneous natural gas consulting services including
development and use of optimization models, financial analysis and contract
negotiations.
CITY of PALOALTO; RFP(2/96)SECTION 00001-9
PART II - SCOPE of WORK or SERVICES Cib/of Palo Alto
C. Utility Market Assessment Services
Consultant shall provide the following market assessment services as desired.
C1. Forecasting Services
The Consultant may be requested to assist with forecasting annual usage for
electricity, natural gas, and water. Advanced probabilistic and stochastic models
may be required. Shor{term electricity forecasts for dispatching and forecasting
for specific customer classes may be required. Forecasting skills may include but
are not limited to:
Development of dynamic regression models using Forecast Pro.
Development of probabalistic forecasts using EXCEL add-ins.
Development of stochastic forecasting models using a Monte Carlo.
model.
Development of ’appropriate and defensible methods and data sets.
Development of analysis of sensitive variables and correlations.
Statistical analysis of results, written and oral reporting of results with
conclusions and appropriate recommendations in a concise,
understandable, and convincing manner.
’ C~...Customer Surveying Services
Resource Management is responsible for investigating, analyzing and reporting to
upper management important market information about Utilities customers,
individually, by segmentation, or in aggregate. Possible Consultant services in this
area would include:
Development of scientifically useful and appropriate survey
instruments
Scientific and appropriate selection of customers for surveying
CITY of PALO ALTO: RFP (2/96)SECTION 00001-10
PART II - SCOPE of WORK or SERVICES Cib/of Pa[o Alto
Appropriate professional and defensible polling of customers through:
focus groups, phone survey, written instrument surveys,etc.
Analysis of survey results, written and oi’al reporting of results with
conclusions and recommendatior~s in a concise, understandable, and
convincing manner.
Providers who offer services in customer surveying should demonstrate a
breadth of experience and expertise in all aspects of those services listed
here, as well as other relevant expertise and experience, as the proposer
deems appropriate.
C3. Market Analysis
Resource Management is responsible for and may request consultant assistance in:
investigating, analyzing and reporting information aboutthe market environment,
including market forces, legislative issues and resul~ing laws, regulatory issues and
resulting regulation, competitor behavior, etc. Also, Resource Management is
responsible for assimilating, reporting and recommending related actions to upper
management in a timely and effective manner. Services in this area include:
Investigation and evaluation of competitor activities
Regulatory and legislative monitoring, analysis, and intervention.
Benchmarking of gas, water, waste-water, or electric utility activities
and services in terms of economics, availability, quality, etc.
Customer risk analysis including scenario, simulation, decision
analysis, etc., addressing the economic.impact of customer losses,
individually or in aggregate, under various potential market situations.
C~. DSM Program Activities
Resource Management is responsible for and may request customer assistance in:
investigating new DSM technologies, setting DSM program goals and guidelines,
developing and maintaining customer participation data, and evaluating programs.
Services in this area include:
’Investigation of DSM and other customer end-use.technologies and
CITY of PALOALTO: RFP(2196)SECTION 00001-11
PART II - SCO#E of WORK or SERVICES Ci~ ol Palo Alto
methods, estimating technical and market potential of these
technologies, and recommending realistic goals for customer programs
Develop DSM program goals and guidelines using: 1) City DSM goals
related to specific technologies, customer segments, and end-use
loads; 2) knowledge of DSM and other customer program methods
and technologies; 3) and customer information (from formal and
informal surveys)
Develop DSM and other customer programs to satisfy Utilities goals
for specific technologies, customer segments, or end-use loads
Evaluate and report DSM and other customer programs’ success
related .to goals and guidelines
C5..Data Management Activities
Resource Management is responsible for and may request consultant assistance in
developing, managing, analyzing, routing, maintaining confidentiality and providing
other services related to sensitive data. Specifically these services may include :
*Development, maintenance, accessing and programing of the
Marketing Information System
*Development, maintenance, telemetry and programing of customer and
city load data system
*Development, maintenance, programming of. an intranet information
network
*Development, operation, and maintenance of ah information -
clearinghouse for utility related data
*Development and dissemination of confidentiality policies and
procedures
TASK ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURE
Selection of Consultant does notinsure that the Consultant will be assigned work,
but only makes the Consultant ava’ilableto provide services to the CITY. At times,
CITY of PALO ALTO: RFP(2/961 SECTION 00001-12
PART II - SCOPE ~3t WORK or SERVICES
however, one or more Consultants may be assigned work by the CITY’s Project
Manager. All work assignments ,,viii be made at the discretion of the CITY’s Project
Manager based on the Project Manager’s opinion of Consultant’s qualifications,
availability, and past performance. An activity work ptan shall be developed for
each assignment requested by the Project Manager that includes scope, schedule,
deliverables, budget and other information. Said work plan must be approved by
the City’s Project Manager prior to its implementation. The Project Manager may
give telephone authorization to Consultant to perform certain tasks at his/her sole
discretion.
The term of this contract is for 12 months from date ofe×ecudon. This cont~’act may be renewed,
upon mutual a~reement, for two additional one-year periods.
EXHIBIT
FEE SCHEDULE
The maximum compensation due and payable to CONTRACTOR,
whose hourly rates also are set forth in this Exhibit "B", is
subject to CITY’s budget of $360,000 per year established for the
award of one or more contracts pursuant to CITY’s Request for
Proposals No. 91104 and CITY’s appropriations for these service
contracts. No representation or warranty is made by CITY that
CONTRACTOR shall be entitled to a minimum amount of compensation
under this Contract.
The following persons have been selected under RFP No.
91104, and their combined total compensation is subject to the
$360,000 annual budget: EES Consulting, Inc.; Pacific Consulting
Services, Inc.; and Resource Management International, Inc.
980421 sy~ 007140~
4
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1998
Professional and support services, except for testimony.j shall be billed at the following
rates:
Managing Director
Managing Executive Consultant
Principal Executive Consultant
Executive Consultant
Principal Consultant
Supervising Consultant
Senior Consultant
Associate Professional
Analyst
Research Assistant
Technician
Office Services
$195 per hour
$173 per hour
$156 per hour
$148 per hour
$136 per hour
$121 per hour
$110 per hour
$96 per hour
$84 per hour
$63 per hour
$55Per hour
$51 per hour
The above rates shall be adjusted each year, commencing January 1,1999, to reflect the
change in rates officially established by RMI.
Testimony shall be billed at not less than eight (8) hours per day.
Reproduction, printing, communications, computer services, and other miscellaneous
support services shall be billed at rates for such services as determined from time to
time and officially established by RMI.
All travel, food, lodging, .and miscellaneous expenses, except automobile mileage,
associated with the provision of services hereunder shall billed at cost plus ten
(10) percent. Automobile mileage will be billed at the rate approved by the Internal
Revenue Service.
Client shall reimburse RMI for any applicable sales tax imposed on services rendered
by RMI to Client.