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VICTOR VALLEY WASTEWATER RECLAMATION AUTHORITY Board Of Commissioners Staff Report |
| TO: | VVWRA Board of Commissioners |
| FROM: | Darron Poulsen, General Manager |
| SUBMITTED BY: | Latif Laari, Environmental Compliance Manager |
| DATE: | March 19, 2026 |
| SUBJECT: | Recommendation to Authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Tom Dodson & Associates (TDA) for The Ossum Wash Interceptor Project CEQA compliance and regulatory permitting support in an amount not to exceed $88,000.00, pending legal review and approval of the contract
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| Fiscal Impact | Yes |
| Account Code: | 01-02-545-9000-9999-R170 |
| Funds Budgeted/ Approved: | Yes |
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Tom Dodson & Associates (TDA) for The Ossum Wash Interceptor Project CEQA compliance and regulatory permitting support in an amount not to exceed $88,000.00, pending legal review and approval of the contract
PREVIOUS ACTION(S)
On February 20, 2025, a contract in the amount of $148,395.00 was awarded to Dudek for engineering services (Design) of the Mojave River Ossum Wash Improvements Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
VVWRA is concerned about the structural stability of its two gravity sewer pipelines—36-inch and 42-inch in diameter—that cross the Ossum Wash. These pipelines convey approximately 75% of the influent flow to the VVWRA Regional Treatment Plant each day.
Following recent major storm events, severe erosion in the wash has left portions of the pipelines dangerously exposed, with only a few feet of soil cover remaining. Continued erosion from future storms could result in pipeline damage or a potential sewage spill caused by debris or bedload movement within the wash. To mitigate this risk, VVWRA is proposing emergency improvements to stabilize the wash and protect the pipelines.
The proposed project will focus exclusively on reinforcing the Ossum Wash to prevent additional erosion and safeguard the existing pipelines. No direct work will be performed on the pipelines themselves.The project site is located within the Ossum Wash in Victorville, California—an ephemeral desert wash that flows northward through the project area before joining the Mojave River, approximately 850 feet north of Turner Road. Turner Road crosses the wash in an east–west direction, and the project area lies immediately downstream (north) of this crossing. The project location is depicted in the following Figure:
Following recent major storm events, severe erosion in the wash has left portions of the pipelines dangerously exposed, with only a few feet of soil cover remaining. Continued erosion from future storms could result in pipeline damage or a potential sewage spill caused by debris or bedload movement within the wash. To mitigate this risk, VVWRA is proposing emergency improvements to stabilize the wash and protect the pipelines.
The proposed project will focus exclusively on reinforcing the Ossum Wash to prevent additional erosion and safeguard the existing pipelines. No direct work will be performed on the pipelines themselves.The project site is located within the Ossum Wash in Victorville, California—an ephemeral desert wash that flows northward through the project area before joining the Mojave River, approximately 850 feet north of Turner Road. Turner Road crosses the wash in an east–west direction, and the project area lies immediately downstream (north) of this crossing. The project location is depicted in the following Figure:
The project requires the preparation of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to comply with CEQA, as well as coordinated permitting through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).(Exhibit 1)
VVWRA issued a Request for Proposals on February 10, 2026. Two proposals were received by the March 3, 2026, deadline from the following firms:Tom Dodson and Associates (TDA) (Exhibit 2) and Dudek
Both proposals were evaluated based on local knowledge, technical approach, schedule feasibility, and cost.
VVWRA issued a Request for Proposals on February 10, 2026. Two proposals were received by the March 3, 2026, deadline from the following firms:Tom Dodson and Associates (TDA) (Exhibit 2) and Dudek
Both proposals were evaluated based on local knowledge, technical approach, schedule feasibility, and cost.
| Firm | Bid Amount |
| Dudek | $173,842 |
| Tom Dodson and Associates | $88,000 |
TDA Selection Strengths
- Cost Efficiency: TDA’s proposal is significantly more cost-effective, coming in at $85,842 less than the competing bid for a similar scope of work.
- Institutional Knowledge: TDA has a "decades-old" relationship with VVWRA and has successfully completed several IS/MNDs for the Authority.
- Specialized Expertise: Their partnership with HDR brings in Lisa Patterson, a regulatory specialist with 30 years of experience who is intimately familiar with VVWRA’s specific environmental constraints.
- Schedule: TDA committed to a slightly more aggressive timeline (6–7 months) to reach the Notice of Determination (NOD)
It is recommended to authorize the General Manager to execute an agreement with Tom Dodson & Associates (TDA) for The Ossum Wash Interceptor Project CEQA compliance and regulatory permitting support in an amount not to exceed $88,000.00, pending legal review and approval of the contract.