Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for Flood Early Forecasting Mapping and Modeling System and Graphical User Interface Services for Austin Watershed Protection with Vieux & Associates Inc., for an initial term of one year with up to four one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $2,200,000. Funding: $220,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Watershed Protection. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Watershed Protection.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $220,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Watershed Protection.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Sole Source.
MBE/WBE:
Sole source contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract will provide Austin Watershed Protection with the Flood Early Forecasting Mapping and Modeling System and Graphical User Interface to coordinate flood hazard information for display in the Emergency Operations Center. The system incorporates information including flood forecast mapping, information on road closures due to flooding, first responders’ activities, 3-1-1 flooding calls, City barricade information and rescue sources, and relevant social media feeds. This information will aid City personnel and other partnering agencies in allocating resources to manage flood emergencies as well as providing the ability to replay flood events after the fact for realistic training simulations.
The proposed contract will replace the existing contract which expires May 11, 2026. An analysis of the products and services provided under the existing agreement determined that maintaining the current level of service is appropriate for the new contract. The current contractor will continue to provide these services.
Vieux & Associates Inc. provides proprietary hydrologic modeling technology with Vflo, which provides the City exclusive access to quality-controlled gauge-adjusted radar rainfall data, predictive flood modeling, and long-standing system integration with the City’s existing Flood Early Warning System. The contractor is the only provider identified that can supply the required proprietary software, data services, and full system compatibility necessary to maintain and support the current operational environment without disruption.
If this contract is not approved, the department will lose the ability to monitor customized, quality-controlled rainfall, hydrologic, and meteorological data and forecasts through current web-based platforms such as RainVieux and the Common Operating Picture. Additionally, Flood Early Warning System operators would be significantly limited in their ability to monitor storms and assess potential flood threats.
|
Contract Details: |
|
|
|
Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
|
Initial Term |
1 year |
$440,000 |
|
Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$440,000 |
|
Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$440,000 |
|
Optional Extension 3 |
1 year |
$440,000 |
|
Optional Extension 4 |
1 year |
$440,000 |
|
Total |
5 years |
$2,200,000 |
Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.