SFPUC contract: committee recommends awarding $80 million water capital program management contract to HDR Stantec JV

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission told the Budget & Finance Committee on Feb. 5 that it seeks authority for a 10-year program management contract (Pro205) with HDR Stantec Joint Venture not to exceed $80,000,000. The contract would provide program and project planning, management and technical support for the water enterprise's capital programs, including the Hetch Hetchy Water Capital Improvement Program, regional water CIP and local water CIP.

Katie Miller, Director of Water Capital Programs for the SFPUC, said the city is overseeing more than $4 billion in water-related capital projects across multiple programs and that the contract will provide program administration, strategic capital planning, delivery support and technical project expertise. The SFPUC Commission approved awarding the contract to HDR Stantec JV by resolution on Dec. 10, 2024; the Budget and Legislative Analyst's report and SFPUC staff said HDR Stantec JV scored highest in the selection process and proposed a Local Business Enterprise (LBE) commitment of 20.83% across 15 LBE firms.

Supervisors asked whether the contract would include oversight of the potable emergency firefighting water system on the West Side; Miller confirmed that oversight of that project is included. SFPUC staff said there is a plan to transfer some skills and work back to SFPUC staff over time via training and technology transfer. The Budget and Legislative Analyst noted the contract's $80 million is approximately 1.8% of the $4.8 to $4.0 billion in planned capital spending over the next 10 years and recommended approval. The committee forwarded the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation (roll call: 3 ayes).