13-SWWTP Energy Study and Biogas Beneficial Resue Scope of Work.pdf

26-122E Scope of Work 1 March 2026

CITY OF DALLAS

WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT

SWWTP Energy Study and Biogas Beneficial Use Contract Number 26-122E

Scope of Work

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) is currently served by multiple power sources, including TXU/Oncor, TXU/Brazos, and an onsite Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system operated by Ameresco under an existing agreement. Under this agreement, SWWTP supplies biogas, purchases generated electricity at a fixed rate, and pays for supplemental natural gas when biogas production is insufficient.

The current contract expires in 2031 and requires one-year advance notice for termination.

This project will evaluate SWWTP’s current and projected power demand through 2045; assess the capacity, reliability, and operational considerations associated with existing power suppliers; evaluate the existing CHP contract and renewal options; and identify and assess potential alternatives based on capacity, reliability, sustainability, and financial performance. The project shall also examine biogas production and beneficial use opportunities, including evaluation of applicable technologies, policy and market considerations, and financial implications.

The overall objective of this project is to secure a reliable and resilient long-term power supply for SWWTP, reduce lifecycle energy costs, and maximize the beneficial use of biogas. The project will provide recommendations regarding the future of the SWWTP CHP contract, the plant’s overall power supply strategy, and biogas production and beneficial use strategy.

All engineering services shall be completed within one (1) year of the contract date.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

A. General Requirements – Administrative Guidelines for the Project

B. Specific Requirements

Phase I Investigation/Study Report with Recommendations (12 months)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. The Consultant (ENGINEER) shall produce a project schedule to be approved by OWNER (DWU) at the beginning of the project. The duration shall match the anticipated project time frame herein. ENGINEER shall update the schedule monthly with project progress. ENGINEER shall document reasons for any project delays and indicate how the project will be brought back on schedule. This schedule shall be submitted with each monthly pay application.

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B. Services identified as special services items in this Scope of Work are items which must be authorized in advance and in writing by the OWNER’s Project Manager and will be paid only on a direct expenses and hourly billings of time expended by consultant. Such items are so designated because it is difficult to determine an accurate level of services required for the items at this time. Consultant will establish an estimated amount for each item and submit to OWNER for written authorization prior to beginning work. Consultant shall notify OWNER’s Project Manager in advance and receive written authorization to exceed the estimated amounts on items. Total payment for these items shall not exceed the total amount authorized by OWNER; however, the amounts allocated to each item may be adjusted by OWNER’s Project Manager as needed.

C. Promptly advise OWNER’s Project Manager of comments/requests which are out of scope or which may affect construction/engineering costs. Prior written authorization from OWNER’s Project Manager is required for additional or out of scope work that does not exceed the total amount of Special Services in the contract. OWNER’s Project Manager and other OWNER staff do not have the authority to authorize additional or out of scope work in excess of the total amount of Special Services. Any such work performed by the ENGINEER (or any sub-consultant) prior to a Supplemental Agreement awarded by the Dallas City Council or approved by Administrative Action will be considered pro-bono work by the ENGINEER and will not be compensated.

D. Use existing information, reports, surveys, and available data, as applicable. Specific documents are listed under applicable sections.

E. Provide internal quality control for deliverables prior to submission to DWU as outlined in the Specific Requirements section. Intermediate submittals provided for review shall, at a minimum, bear the signature of the ENGINEER’S Project Manager and designated Quality Control reviewer.

OWNER shall provide written comments for each submittal bearing, at a minimum, the signatures of the OWNER’S Project Manager.

F. Evaluate DWU comments and coordinate responses between DWU’s Project Manager and Consulting Firm’s Project Manager, into reports, technical memoranda, plans and specifications.

Inform the DWU Project Manager, in writing, of the engineering and construction budget impact of comments.

G. The Consultant Engineer shall provide written response by a licensed professional ENGINEER to Owner’s comments received on reports, technical memoranda, and plans and specifications.

26-122E Scope of Work 3 March 2026

Submittals, RFI’s, and other similar types of information shall be approved, rejected, or answered by a licensed professional engineer.

H. ENGINEER shall maintain a “Decisions Log” detailing action items identified in meetings or during the design process, date the issue was identified, the responsible individual, resolution solution, and resolution date.

I. Project Management & Administration - Provide accounting/invoice preparation and review, subconsultant management, project guide, progress tracking, filing, mailing, copying, and maintain an issues log. Deliverables: Monthly Invoice, Monthly Project Manager Status Report, Decision/Action Item Log.

PHASE I - INVESTIGATION/STUDY REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS

Perform engineering investigations, site assessments required by this scope of work, studies, calculations, process analyses, research of reports, formulation, and evaluation of various items included in the scope of work. The ENGINEER is required to perform a visual assessment at the site and is responsible for making field measurements, noting equipment characteristics, and avoiding conflicts with existing utilities or structures. Make recommendations, prepare, and submit an engineering design report in accordance with the Project Description, General Requirements and the following Specific Requirements.

As part of the Project, the Consultant Engineer shall oversee and signoff on all general administrative duties and services performed. Services shall include but not inclusive of progress monitoring, scheduling, general correspondence, office administration, and invoicing. Duties shall also include providing project communication; monitoring work on the project; and ensuring that the work is executed in accordance with the work plan, budget and schedule.

1. Project Meetings and Workshops

a. ENGINEER will participate in regularly scheduled monthly meetings (or more frequent as required to meet project schedule) with DWU for the anticipated duration established in the project objectives. Prepare and provide to DWU a meeting agenda five working days prior to the meeting. Provide materials required for the meeting.

b. Prepare meeting minutes for each meeting and provide to DWU within five (5) working days of the meeting date. Establish sections within the minutes that clearly identify project team decisions and action items with responsible party. Final minutes will be prepared and submitted by the Consultant Engineer following receipt of input. Deliverables: Meeting Agenda, Meeting Materials, Meeting Minutes with Action Items and Decision Items

26-122E Scope of Work 4 March 2026

2. Evaluate each item within the project scope based on historical and current operational data and protocols. Identify all equipment and/or operational changes to increase efficiency and provide necessary improvements.

3. Provide a detailed description of the ENGINEER’s recommended alternatives including size and number of units, layout of facilities, types of materials, and other design criteria. Provide a more detailed cost estimate for the recommended alternative which includes capital construction costs and annual O&M expenses. Include an evaluation of any cost savings that may occur by eliminating existing facilities and equipment.

4. Review Pertinent Documents, at a minimum, review the following documents provided by DWU go to:

a. Wastewater Facilities and Operations Strategic Plan 21-478E

b. Ameresco Agreement

5. Study Report with Recommendations

Technical Memoranda shall be combined into a single study report. The study report shall include an executive summary (not exceeding four pages in length), introduction, and each Technical Memorandum (TM) shall represent a separate chapter. The TM shall generally include:

a. Executive Summary – Prepare an Executive Summary providing concise findings and recommendations.

b. Introduction – Compose an introductory chapter providing the history and basic assumptions for the report.

c. Existing Condition – Based on the site assessment provide existing condition overview.

d. Alternatives Evaluation – Write descriptions of each alternative considered, clearly indicating advantages, disadvantages, and any intangible considerations, including environmental considerations. Provide a summary of budget-level capital, operation, and maintenance (life-cycle) costs.

e. Recommendations - Provide detailed description of the recommendations for each scope item.

f. Operational Requirements - Describe operational requirements and practices, resource requirements, and estimated operation and maintenance costs.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

26-122E Scope of Work 5 March 2026

1. Ameresco CHP Agreement Renewal/Termination Recommendation

1.1 Review the existing Ameresco CHP agreement.

1.2 Conduct site visits of CHP facilities and coordinate with Ameresco to understand current CHP system conditions and operations.

1.3 Coordinate with Ameresco and DWU to understand each party’s position and intentions regarding renewal or termination of the CHP agreement.

1.4 Evaluate and recommend agreement renewal options based on renewal requirements, facility power demand, the capacity and reliability of alternative power suppliers, and financial analysis.

1.5 Task Deliverable:

1.5.1 Technical memorandum on Recommendations for SWWTP CHP Agreement Renewal/Termination Options

2. Facility Power Supply Strategy

2.1 Evaluate facility processes, equipment, and operations to understand the current power demand and supply conditions.

2.2 Conduct meetings with DWU and review the DWU Wastewater Facilities and Operations Strategic Plan to project facility power demand over the short term (5 years) and long term through 2045.

2.3 Coordinate with power suppliers to understand the capacity, reliability, and operational considerations associated with each supplier in the short term and long term.

2.4 Identify and evaluate power supply alternatives based on capacity, reliability, sustainability, and financial performance to develop the power supply strategy.

2.5 Task Deliverable:

2.5.1 Technical memorandum on SWWTP Power Supply Strategy

3. Facility Biogas Production and Beneficial Use Strategy

3.1 Investigate facility processes and operations to understand current biogas production.

3.2 Evaluate facility processes and applicable biogas technologies to identify opportunities for improvement and expansion.

3.3 Evaluate current biogas market demand and develop short-term and long-term market projections.

3.4 Evaluate existing biogas-related policy and regulations and develop short-term and long-term policy outlooks.

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3.5 Develop biogas beneficial use strategy based on biogas production, transmission, facility safety, market opportunities, policy considerations, and financial analysis.

3.6 Task Deliverable:

3.6.1 Technical memorandum on Facility Biogas Production and Beneficial Use Strategy

4. Regulatory Analysis

4.1 Evaluate existing project-related national and local policies and regulations.

4.2 Evaluate potential national and local policies and regulations to develop short-term and long-term outlooks.

4.3 Identify applicable regulatory triggers affecting the project and assess their potential impacts on project implementation, including permitting requirements, operations, and financial performance.

4.4 Provide recommendations for SWWTP’s energy and biogas beneficial use strategy to meet regulatory requirements.

4.5 Task Deliverable:

4.5.1 Technical memorandum on Regulatory Analysis

Special Services for this project shall include:

1. Additional Meetings – Participate in additional meetings, as necessary throughout the construction and start-up of the project.

2. Additional Engineering Services – Provide additional engineering services for items identified during project. Provide all documentation, calculation and graphical support as required to complete the defined objective(s).