The City of Sugar Land completed a Vulnerability Assessment in 2004. This assessment was a requirement of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act of 2002). Congress passed the Act as an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The purpose of the amendment was to evaluate and respond to potential vulnerabilities in water systems that could be exploited in an act of terrorism, sabotage, or general malicious intent. In doing so, Congress required all community water systems serving a population of over 3,300 persons to prepare one of the assessments.
The primary focus of the assessment was to assess " the vulnerability of its system to a terrorist attack or other intentional acts intended to substantially disrupt the ability of the system to provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water”. The requirements and programs associated with this amendment are administered under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency, as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA holds each assessment responsible for thoroughly analyzing and discussing primary concerns. The Vulnerability Assessment for the City of Sugar Land's System was completed in accordance with the specific rules of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. The deadline for such systems was June 30, 2004.
The first two phases of the Utilities Security projects addressed immediate needs identified through the Vulnerability Assessment. In June of 2018, the design of security improvements was contracted with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. under Utilities Security Phase III, CIP WA1101. Hatch provided security engineering services for the design and bid management of security installations at 22 unique water/wastewater sites for the City of Sugar Land.
On February 12, 2020, an Invitation To Bid (ITB) was issued for the construction phase of Utilities Security Phase III, CIP WA1101. One bid was received and opened on March 5, 2020, from Marithon Communications LLC. This initial ITB was for $525,924.21, 60% over the engineer’s estimate for construction, and was thus rejected by the City. On July 1, 2020, a second ITB was issued. One bid was received and opened on July 23, 2020, from Wilson Fire Equipment & Service Company, Inc. With a base bid amount of $273,000.00, within the remaining CIP budget of $285,073.12 and lower than Hatch Associate Consultants, Inc. estimate for construction.
The scope of work includes the installation of security cameras, security gates and other measures to increase our level of security and decrease perceived vulnerabilities at several locations.
The Public Works Department recommends the City Council authorize the execution of a contract between the City of Sugar Land and Wilson Fire Equipment & Service Company, Inc., for security improvements at the City's water facilities in the amount of $273,000.00