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TPA concurs with the provisions contained within the standard agreement attached as Attachment 2 in the Appendix of the RFP and is prepared to enter into agreement under those terms. C. UNDERSTANDING OF NEED TPA has been proud to work with the Agency for the last five years to identify creative funding solutions for the Agency's priority projects. TPA has been successful in securing $4 million for the Agency for advanced metering infrastructure and is prepared to continue to work with the Agency on a variety of water and energy projects that will help create a more sustainable Santa Ana. The majority of the Agency's potable water comes from an underground basin and is pumped through 21 existing wells to serve about 44,500 water accounts. Given the limited water supplies in the region, recent reoccurring droughts, and the previous contamination levels, the Agency has needs for a new groundwater well, expansion of the recycled water system to add additional distribution infrastructure and new connections, and PFAS clean-up projects. TPA is prepared to continue to work with the Agency to identify grant funding opportunities as well as legislative directed opportunities to improve overall water system reliability and reduce the burden on other water production facilities, including on imported water. In addition, the Agency has several energy related projects including an expansion of the natural gas fuel station at the City Yard, incorporation of hydro -electric generation and battery storage, and the design and construction of solar parking lot canopies with electric vehicle chargers. TPA believes that funding success for our clients requires much more than simply reacting to existing grant programs when they are announced. TPA believes that maximum funding success for our clients requires aggressive PROACTIVE strategy and effort to CREATE new funding opportunities via budget earmarks or grant programs that are tailored to ensure eligibility and maximum competitiveness for client projects. Therefore, in order to successfully pursue the Agency's funding needs, TPA strongly suggests the Agency utilizes the following approach to generate and secure additional funding beyond the opportunities identified in traditional grant programs. While these activities are above and beyond the typical grant writing scope of work, TPA believes a creative funding advocacy component is critical to maximize funding success for the Agency. State Budget Opportunities: TPA has worked with several municipal clients to secure project funding in the State Budget through legislative -directed grants, also referred to as "earmarks'. This has led to success for the Santa Ana Public Works Agency, which received a direct project allocation in the form of a $4 million earmark for Advanced Water Metering Infrastructure. Looking forward to future budget cycles, earmarks are likely to be included in the State's 2023-24 budget cycle. TPA will work with the Agency to identify priority projects and leverage legislative connections to advocate for this funding in upcoming budget cycles. In addition to project specific funding, current opportunities in Sacramento include $2.7 billion in new water drought funding that was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget that will need to be allocated in early August. That funding will likely replenish existing programs that will fund recycled water, habitat restoration, and drought relief, and could provide additional funding opportunities for Agency projects. Q Proposal for Grant Writing Services I Santa Ana Public Works Agency Page 3