To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Weatherization Contract Amendment with Ambient Air, Inc.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with Ambient Air, Inc., to increase the payment limit by $450,000 to a new payment limit of $1,050,000, with no changes to the original term ending December 31, 2026, for the purchase or repair of additional heating and air conditioning equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% State and Federal Weatherization Program Funds. No impact on the County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) has partnered with the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) for the past 20 years to provide energy-saving home improvements to low income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s 19 cities. This funding is provided by State and federal grant programs including, but not limited to, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), and the Department of Energy (DOE).
With these grants, the Weatherization Program may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs, LED night lights, Tier 2 Advanced power strips, occupancy sensors, weather-stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.
Under its grant funding contract, the Weatherization Program is required to meet minimum unit production goals (number of homes weatherized) by the end of its annual grant contract term. Failure to maintain the required production goals may result in the State reallocating our share of funding to other counties and could jeopardize our future funding.
The contract with Ambient Air, Inc., became effective on March 15, 2023. The initial term is through December 31, 2026, with a not to exceed limit of $200,000. On December 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved Amendment No. 1 (File #: 23-1134) with Ambient Air, Inc., to raise the contract limit to $600,000. At the current rate of utilization, the payment limit needs to be raised to $1,050,000 to meet the demand for services under this contract through the end term date of December 31, 2026.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
A denial would prevent DCD Weatherization Program from replacing or repairing heating and air conditioning equipment.