DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With GEI Consultants, Inc. For Consultation Services For Byllesby Dam Comprehensive Assessment
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a contract with GEI Consultants, Inc., for consultation services to complete a Comprehensive Assessment (CA) for the Byllesby Dam that will be the ninth inspection under the Part 12D program mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
SUMMARY
Byllesby Dam is required to comply with dam safety regulations administered through the FERC, and the Part 12D inspection program, requiring periodic assessments by an independent consultant, is a core component of the applicable regulations. Historically, eight prior Part 12D inspections have been conducted at the Byllesby Dam going back to 1987 and occurring every five years. In 2021-22, the Part 12D inspection program was updated significantly with additional complexity in response to recent dam failure events and other findings.
Under the updated requirements, every other inspection will now be completed as a CA (i.e., occurs every ten years alternating with a less involved inspection). The main components of a CA include a site inspection, a review of records and the dam safety monitoring plan, an overhaul of the probable failure mode analysis, and the completion of a risk assessment. Additionally, hydraulic models and assessments for the dam are planned to be updated under this contract in preparation for the completion of the CA starting in 2026. Dakota County must complete the CA by the end of 2027. The anticipated contract term is May 2026 through March 2028 to accommodate all CA requirements.
Staff sent out a request for proposals to five firms and received four proposals in response. All four proposals received had technically competent staff that could complete the work and serve in the roles required by the FERC, but one of the four wa...
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