COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE

DATE:

October 29, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 12, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Paul T.Scannell, Assistant County Manager

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Engineering Economics Inc. (EEI) for consulting services related to LEED Certification and Commissioning for the planned San Mateo County Youth Services Center

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Assistant County Manager to execute an Agreement with Engineering Economics Inc. (EEI), Bermuda Dunes, CA to perform engineering consulting services related to meeting Commissioning Prerequisites and Credits of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEEDTM Commercial version 2.0 Rating System.

Background

San Mateo County is committed to the Sustainable Building Policy as adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The Policy requires pursuit of sustainable building practices in the project's design, construction and operation, using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system. The policy calls for achievement of certification at the highest practicable LEED rating level.

A prerequisite for LEED certification at any level is fundamental building system commissioning to verify and ensure that building elements and systems are designed, installed and calibrated properly. The County wishes to design, construct, and calibrate the entire project to operate as intended, as outlined in LEED EA Credit 3. The County will begin the commissioning process at the onset of design in full conformance with LEED principles.

Discussion

On September 27, 2002, the County released a Request for Proposals for qualified engineering consulting firms to conduct LEED Certification Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning for the Youth Services Center.

On October 17, 2002, the County received proposals from 5 firms. EEI's proposal was found to be the one which offered the best option to the County on cost and experience of the proposed team. EEI has recently successfully concluded similar commissioning duties at the San Mateo County Health Center.

Vision Alignment

This recommendation is aligned with Commitment Three, Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All, goal eight, "Help vulnerable people - the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life."

Fiscal Impact

EEI's fee proposal of $191,739 was the lowest received of the 5 proposing firms. Funds for this service have been included in the Youth Services Center Project budget and will be paid out of the project fund from the anticipated sale of Lease Revenue Bonds.