Sponsor: Property Management
Title
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Professional Services Agreement with Apex Facility Solutions for Guaranteed Energy Savings Project Directed Engineering Study
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the selection of and agreement with Apex Facility Solutions, LLC, 3495 Northdale Blvd. NW, Suite 230, Coon Rapids, MN 55448, for the guaranteed energy savings project directed engineering study for the period of November 6, 2024 through November 5, 2025, for a not-to-exceed amount of $64,450.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
4. Authorize the County Manager to execute the guaranteed energy savings project phase two agreement, and amendments to the agreement, in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County’s 2017 Strategic Energy Plan identifies a goal of 30% reduction (against a 2008 baseline) in energy use and carbon emissions by 2025, and an 80% reduction by 2050. Property Management has tracked energy consumption in its directly managed facilities since 2008 and began intensive departmentwide energy reduction initiatives for the buildings in 2015. As of year-end 2023, Property Management has achieved a 41.3% reduction in energy consumption from the 2008 baseline for these facilities.
The proposed project represents an innovative and cost-effective approach to implementing additional energy savings measures across county facilities, that would serve towards attaining the 80% energy reduction goal for 2050. The directed engineering study work for the guaranteed energy savings project will provide professional review of existing facility systems and equipment, while also exploring other potential improvements, to determine the actual energy savings and return on investment that would result from specific recommended improvements at specific facilities. The guaranteed energy savings project offers an alternative funding solution for major projects that reduces the need for county Capital Improvement Program funding.
Section 471.345 of Minnesota Statutes includes provisions for energy efficiency projects and guaranteed energy savings contracts. The guaranteed energy savings project will be completed in a phased approach, with each phase being the subject of a separate agreement. The agreement for the directed engineering study was developed in compliance with that statute. If executed, the phase two agreement will also comply with the statute.
The scope of the directed engineering study includes the following:
• Lighting Improvements
• Building Envelope Improvements
• Water Conservation Improvements
• Ductwork Sealing
• Spatial Destratification
• Solar Technology
• Power Factor Correction
• HVAC Controls
• Variable Air Volume (VAV) Box Occupancy Controls
• Boiler Controls and Economization
• Cooling Systems
At the conclusion of the directed engineering study, Apex Facility Solutions shall submit to the county a proposal for the phase two project work, including the design recommendations and proposed guaranteed energy savings, along with a detailed analysis of the cost savings and project costs anticipated to be paid over a period not-to-exceed 20 years. If the county decides to proceed with the phase two agreement, it will include construction project work, including project bidding and construction administration.
Ramsey County reserves the right to enter into an agreement for phase two guaranteed energy savings project work with Apex Facility Solutions, LLC.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This project will provide opportunities for racially diverse contractors and employees. The agreement for the phase two project work will include goals for Small Business Enterprise (SBE) utilization as well as workforce inclusion goals for minority and female labor participation on the project. Efforts to reduce carbon emission and conserve energy provide for incremental progress in the ongoing efforts to combat climate change, which has a disparate impact on racially and ethnically diverse communities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community participation associated with this agreement.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The guaranteed energy savings project will be funded by the cost savings achieved by implementing the recommended energy efficiency measures identified by the directed engineering study. Such savings will be guaranteed by the contractor and memorialized in the phase two agreement. Should the actual savings fall short of the estimated savings, the contractor will be responsible for paying the county the difference.
If Ramsey County and Apex Facility Solutions are unable to come to an agreement for the phase two project work, then the fee for the directed engineering study will be paid to Apex Facility Solutions in an amount of $59,450. This fee, plus any reimbursable expenses (not to exceed $5,000) owed to Apex Facility Solutions for the directed engineering study, will be funded by the Property Management Building Operations operating budget.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Professional Services Agreement with Apex Facility Solutions.