For City Council Meeting June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with CASC Engineering and Consulting for Technical Consultant Services to Assist with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System for a Three-Year Term for a Total Amount of $891,999.84.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council Approve a Professional Services Agreement with CASC Engineering and Consulting for technical consultant services to assist with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program for a three-year term at $297,333.28 each year for the first three (3) years for a total of $891,999.84.
BACKGROUND:
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The CWA was based on laws enacted in 1948 and was then referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972 and became known as the "Clean Water Act."
The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA’s) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.
The “CWA” establishes requirements for the discharge of urban runoff from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (“MS4”) under the “NPDES” program. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (“RWQCB”) issued Permit Order No. R8-2010-0036 (“MS4 Permit”) to authorize the discharge of urban runoff from the collective San Bernardino County MS4s within the Region on January 29, 2010. This is the fourth MS4 permit issued to the area-wide San Bernardino County Storm Water Program (“area-wide MS4 program”) since the RWQCB issued the first permit in 1990 and regulates discharges from all MS4 facilities within the Santa Ana River Watershed in San Bernardino County. The MS4 Permit expired on January 28, 2015, and has been administratively extended by the Regional Board.
The MS4 Permit coverage includes the San Bernardino County Flood Control District (“District”), San Bernardino County (“County”) and sixteen municipal jurisdictions, including the City of Rialto. The District is the Principal Permittee, while the other jurisdictions are considered “Co-Permittees.” Although all Permittees work cooperatively to implement the area wide MS4 program, as a Co-Permittee, the City of Rialto is ultimately responsible for compliance with the MS4 Permit within the City.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
On May 13, 2026, the City released Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-028 on PlanetBids, requesting proposals from qualified professional firms to provide the City with Technical Consultant Services to assist with the NPDES Program within the City. A copy of the RFP and its addenda are included as Attachment 1.
The selected Consultant shall provide a variety of MS4/NPDES related services to the City on an as-needed/as-requested basis. Overall, the Consultant shall provide services which encompass all aspects of the NPDES program as it pertains to the Federal CWA, the Porter-Cologne Act, the statewide General Permits relating to Construction, Industrial, DeMinimus and all related regulations, policies, procedures and actions as implemented by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Further, the Consultant shall support the City as it relates to the Waste Discharge Requirements for The County of San Bernardino and the incorporated Cities of San Bernardino County, Under WQCB Order No. R8-2010-0036, NPDES No. CAS 618036, Area-wide Urban Storm Water Runoff Permit and any successor permits.
The City is looking for a Consultant that has a comprehensive understanding of the NPDES program and can provide the capacity to advise the City on policy issues, review, develop and update ordinances, resolutions, processes, Local Implementation Plans and procedures within the City, perform independent and systematic design and WQMP reviews and integrated inspection services as they relate to construction, commercial, industrial and residential sites, while ensuring the professional development and understanding of the City’s existing staff.
Further, the City desires a Consultant that can provide immediate and appropriate technical support to the City’s Development, Administration, Finance and Engineering staff, ensuring that the City has a comprehensive, integrated program that dovetails with other programs such as water conservation, landscape maintenance, water and wastewater operations.
In accordance with California Government Code Section 4562 and Chapter 2.48.440 of the Rialto Municipal Code, local agencies shall select firms providing professional services based on demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of the services required.
On June 4, 2026, the City received one (1) proposal in response to the RFP from the following firm:
1. CASC Engineering and Consulting (Colton, CA)
Staff contacted firms that had previously expressed interest in providing NPDES compliance services to determine why they chose not to submit proposals in response to the City's reissued RFP. One firm indicated that it elected not to submit a proposal based on its prior participation in the City's 2016 and 2021 procurement processes, during which it was not selected. The firm also cited current workload demands and staffing commitments, noting that it would be unable to take on the additional responsibilities associated with the project while maintaining its desired level of service to existing clients. A second firm was found to no longer be in business. A third firm did not respond to the City's inquiry regarding its intent to submit a proposal.
In accordance with the LAPM, state law (California Government Code Section 4526) and Chapter 2.48.440 of the Rialto Municipal Code, the City Council must make the selection for professional services based on the firm’s demonstrated competence and professional qualifications in accordance with specific evaluation criteria identified in the RFP.
Based on the submitted proposal and demonstrated experience over the last five years, staff is recommending award of the Professional Services Agreement to CASC Engineering and Consulting (CASC) for the program development and implementation. The consultant demonstrated a thorough understanding of the City’s needs and will provide a comprehensive approach to the program.
Staff reviewed the scope of services and cost proposal provided by CASC and found them to be appropriate for the tasks requested. A copy of CASC’s proposal is included as Attachment 2. A copy of the proposed Agreement is included as Attachment 3. The rate schedule is included as Exhibit “B” to the Professional Services Agreement.
The PSA with CASC will be a three-year term with two optional one year extensions at a standard rate with a 3% increase for the last two year extensions of the contract. Upon successful completion of the third year, the City will exercise the extensions for year four and five of the agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policy:
Goal 5-4: Protect the health and welfare of the public, environment, and economy by providing for the safe and responsible management of hazardous materials and wastes.
Policy 5-4.1: Continue to identify hazardous material users and generators within the City through the use of field surveys, inspection programs, and licensing requirements.
Policy 5-4.2: Coordinate City enforcement efforts with San Bernardino County, the California Department of Health Services, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the Air Quality Management District, for the management and disposal of hazardous wastes.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
Pending the 2026-2027 budget approval, funding for the Technical Consultant Services to assist with the NPDES Program will be available in Account No. 10107313-52011 in the amount of $300,000.
Funding for the additional contract years will be budgeted during the subsequent fiscal year’s budget process.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no financial impact on the capital improvement budget associated with the approval of this item.
Licensing
Prior to execution of the Professional Service Agreement, the vendor shall submit a business license application and pay a Business License tax at the rate of $354, as well as Administration and State fees.