TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-05 Asset Management Phase 3 With Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program Support in the Amount of $484,724.00.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-05 Asset Management Phase 3 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $484,724.00.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-05 Asset Management Phase 3 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $484,724.00.
• 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 maintenance activities, contractor work tracking, and the Condition Assessment Plan.
• Cons: Commits the Utilities Department funds to this project, which could be used on other projects.
Option 2: Deny Work Assignment No. 2026-05 Asset Management Phase 3 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program support in the amount of $484,724.00.
• 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 Lucity as a framework for both field and plant maintenance operations.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events pertinent to Work Assignment No. 2026-05 Asset Management Phase 3 with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Utilities Department Asset Management Program:
Ø 2023: Black & Veatch completed a Gap Analysis for North Port Utilities (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 by establishing objectives and strategies; updating the mission of the Utilities Department; developing the Strategic Asset Management Plan; implementing change and risk processes; and initiating Lucity, which is the Utilities Department’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Ø 2025: The roadmap was updated to reflect progress, with a stronger focus on expanding and integrating Lucity into daily operations through asset development and tool implementation. Full program development, including continuous improvement toward ISO 55001 certification, is anticipated to take approximately five years.
The continued advancement of the roadmap, particularly the expansion of the CMMS, is a critical component of achieving long-term success and certification. Black & Veatch brings not only established relationships with NPU staff, but also invaluable institutional knowledge gained through the gap analysis, roadmap development, and first-year implementation. This familiarity positions the team to efficiently guide NPU through the next phase.
NPU will benefit from retaining Black & Veatch due to their deep understanding of the organization, as well as their extensive experience implementing similar Asset Management Programs nationwide and internationally. The team is uniquely qualified for this assignment, including its designation as an Institute of Asset Management (IAM) assessor for ISO 55001 and its prior work with NPU on the gap analysis, roadmap development, Year 1 & 2 implementation, and Water Master Plan.
Agreement No. 2025-12.02 Professional Utility Engineering Services - Continuing Services Contract for City of North Port has a provision in it for a direct work assignment process, which reads “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.”
Due to the institutional knowledge that Black and Veatch Corporation holds with the completion of the gap analysis and road map development, the near completion of Phase I, and the Water Master Plan assignments, staff recommends awarding Phase 3 to Black and Veatch Corporation. The City of North Port will be employing the pricing terms outlined in the Professional Engineering Services Contract No. 2025-12.02 with Black and Veatch Corporation for this specific assignment.
In accordance with Florida State Statue §287.055, professional services under Continuing Contract 2025-12 will not be sought for projects with estimated construction costs exceeding $4 million and work assignments issued will not exceed $500,000. Any individual work assignment $100,000 or greater will require City Commission approval, per the City’s Procurement Policy.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $484,724.00 has been budgeted in the fiscal year 2026 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. 2026-05 was issued under Continuing Contract No. 2025-12-02.
Black & Veatch Corporation
11401 Lamar
Overland Park, KS 66211
Attachments:
1. Work Assignment No. 2026-05
2. Continuing Contract No. 2025-12.02
3. Truth-In-Negotiations Certificate
4. Florida Division of Corporations Documents
Prepared by: Michelle Tipp, Utilities Senior Business Manager
Melissa McConnell, Utilities Project Manager
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Utilities Director