TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Work Assignment No. 2027-01 Utility Asset Management Phase 4 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program Support in the Amount of $489,950.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2027-01 Utilities Asset Management Phase 4 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $489,950.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2027-01 Utilities Asset Management Phase 4 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $489,950.
• Pros: Continue providing services to support the implementation of the next phase of recommended improvements over an additional one-year period. This effort will build upon the existing Lucity implementation, including GIS technical support, continued implementation of maintenance activities and condition assessments.
• Cons: Commits the Utilities Department funds to this work assignment, which could be used on other utility projects.
Option 2: Deny Work Assignment No. 2027-01 Utilities Asset Management Phase 4 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $489,950.
• Pros: Preserves utility funds for allocation to other utility projects.
• Cons: Denial of the work assignment would hinder continued progress in Asset Management and delay further development of a program that will help assist with prioritization of capital improvements based on data driven decisions.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological summary of activities completed to date by Black & Veatch Corporation in support of the City of North Port Utilities Department’s (NPU) Asset Management Program:
Ø 2023: Black & Veatch completed a Gap Analysis for NPU to support an Asset Management Program aimed at ISO 55001 certification, identifying key improvements and a roadmap for implementation.
Ø 2024: Black & Veatch advanced the first phase of the program by establishing Asset Management objectives and strategies; updating the Utilities Department’s mission; developing the Strategic Asset Management Plan; implementing change management and risk management processes; and initiating implementation of Lucity, the Utilities Department’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Ø 2025: Black & Veatch updated the Asset Management roadmap to reflect program progress and further defined implementation priorities, with an increased focus on expanding and integrating Lucity into daily operations through asset development and implementation of supporting tools. These efforts supported the continued development of the Asset Management Program and ongoing improvements aligned with ISO 55001 standards.
Ø 2026: Black & Veatch continued supporting NPU’s advancement of the Asset Management Program through an updated Asset Management Strategy and roadmap; development of performance measures and reporting tools; continued improvements to Lucity and maintenance processes; and evaluation of long-term program staffing and resource requirements. This phase also included completion of a formal Asset Risk and Condition Assessment Plan to establish a consistent framework for evaluating asset condition and risk and supporting future asset management decision-making.
Phase 4 of the Asset Management Program will continue advancement of the established roadmap, with particular emphasis on the Plant Asset Collection Pilot Program and continued expansion of the Utilities Department’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). The pilot program will establish a repeatable process for collecting, validating, and incorporating plant asset information into NPU’s asset management systems. The results of the pilot will provide a framework for expanding the process to additional facilities and asset classes.
Retaining Black & Veatch for Phase 4 will benefit NPU due to the firm’s extensive institutional knowledge of the Utilities Department and its direct involvement in the development and implementation of the Asset Management Program. Black & Veatch has completed the initial Gap Analysis, roadmap development, and Phases 1, 2, and 3 of program implementation, in addition to its work on the City’s Water Master Plan. The firm also has extensive experience implementing Asset Management Programs for utilities nationally and internationally and includes personnel designated as Institute of Asset Management (IAM) assessors for ISO 55001.
This continuity of services will allow Phase 4 to build directly upon the work, processes, and tools established during the previous phases and will reduce the need to duplicate or reestablish program knowledge and background.
Agreement No. 2025-12.02, Professional Utility Engineering Services - Continuing Services Contract for the City of North Port, provides for a direct Work Assignment process under certain circumstances. The agreement states:
“Upon approval from the Sr. Purchasing Administrator or designee, City staff may forego the Letter of Interest Process and proceed directly with the Work Assignment process. A scope with itemized tasks and fee schedule based on contracted hourly rates will be obtained from one of the contracted firms, reviewed, negotiated and awarded. This process will be used when circumstances warrant a more expedient process.”
Given Black & Veatch Corporation’s existing institutional knowledge of NPU’s Asset Management Program, its completion of the initial Gap Analysis and roadmap development, its substantial progress through Phases 1, 2, and 3, and its prior work on the Water Master Plan, staff recommends awarding Phase 4 of the Asset Management Program to Black & Veatch Corporation through the direct Work Assignment process authorized under Agreement No. 2025-12.02.
The City of North Port will utilize the pricing terms established in Professional Utility Engineering Services Continuing Services Contract No. 2025-12.02 with Black & Veatch Corporation for this assignment. In accordance with the City’s Procurement Policy, any individual Work Assignment with a value of $100,000 or greater requires City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $489,950.00 has been budgeted in the fiscal year 2027 budget, account number 420-6060-536.31-05.
Procurement
Continuing Contract No. 2025-12.02 was procured pursuant to Sec. 2-406 Professional Services Selection under Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), F.S. § 287.055. Work Assignment No. 2027-01 was issued under Continuing Contract No. 2025-12.02.
Attachments:
1. Work Assignment No. 2027-01
2. Continuing Contract No. 2025-12.02
Prepared by: Michelle Tipp, Utilities Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Michael Vuolo, Acting Utilities Director