Title
Contract for Transportation and Beneficial Reuse or Disposal of Dewatered Biosolids (B)
**Estimated Presentation Time 10 Minutes**
Explanation
Water/Wastewater Systems operates two water reclamation facilities which receive wastewater from customers throughout GRU's service area. The water reclamation process produces biosolids which are currently treated through a Class B aerobic digestion process and beneficially reused as a fertilizer and soil additive at a local agricultural site. Due to regulatory changes, the process can no longer be used. The City Commission authorized a settlement agreement and consent order with the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners to cease application of Class B biosolids at the agricultural site by February 21, 2016. To comply with the settlement agreement and consent order dated February 22, 2011, GRU has considered all viable alternatives for future reuse of biosolids. The City Commission approved the construction of biosolids dewatering facilities needed for the reuse of biosolids, and those facilities are currently under construction.
In August 2014, GRU Purchasing posted a Request for Information (RFI) on GRU's website to obtain information about alternative processes for future reuse of biosolids. In addition, an email notice about the posting of the RFI was sent to more than 50 companies that previously expressed or may have an interest in the project. Ten responses to the RFI were received. To respond to questions and concerns about the project, a public meeting was held on October 15, 2014 at the GRU Administration Building.
The RFI responses received were presented by GRU staff at the City Commission meeting on December 4, 2014 to allow for review, discussion, and public comment. At that meeting the City Commission authorized staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contract for transportation and beneficial reuse or disposal of dewatered biosolids based on the following criteria and weighting for evaluation:
45% Annualized Operating Cost
20% Risk
20% Flexibility
5% Enhanced Environmental Benefit
5% Local Preference
5% Local Economic Benefit
GRU Purchasing posted the RFP on January 7, 2015 on GRU's website. Eight proposals were received, including two no bids. One respondent withdrew their proposal after the opening date. Seven proposals were evaluated in accordance with Florida Statutes by four GRU staff members with Purchasing staff oversight. GreenTechnologies, LLC, a small, local, minority-owned business, submitted the best proposal, as scored using the approved criteria. GRU received a protest from Watson C&D, LLC. A public protest hearing was held in accordance with GRU's procedures on March 20, 2015; however, the protest was denied. A summary of the scoring is attached along with a copy of the protest letter. Additional related documents are available on the GRU website at the following link:
Fiscal Note
Based on the proposed unit pricing and the estimated amount of biosolids, the cost of an annual contract is approximately $1,000,000 per year. This cost will be partially offset by the discontinuation of the existing biosolids program. The new biosolids program will result in a net increase in annual operating and maintenance cost to the wastewater system of approximately $300,000 per year.
Recommendation:
The City Commission: 1) authorize the Interim General Manager, or her designee, to negotiate and execute a five-year contract with GreenTechnologies, LLC for transportation and beneficial reuse or disposal of dewatered biosolids and; 2) approve the issuance of purchase orders in amounts not to exceed budgeted amount for each year of the contract, subject to the final appropriation of funds for each year.