DATE: January 28, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement for Solid Waste Planning Consulting Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Stearns, Conrad, and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc., dba SCS Engineers to assist in evaluating and planning solid waste management programs compliant with both State regulations and the Fresno County Ordinance Code and to update and prepare a strategic and comprehensive solid waste management master plan, including edible food recovery plans and organic waste management, and execute related tasks effective upon execution, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $1,529,598.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will authorize an agreement with SCS Engineers to assist the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) staff in evaluating solid waste management programs and revising the County’s solid waste management master plan to achieve and maintain compliance with State of California (State) regulatory requirements. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board choose not to approve the recommended action, there may be delays in the implementation and operation of State-mandated solid waste programs, which would expose the County to regulatory enforcement action from Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery which may include administrative penalties of $10,000 per day for continued noncompliance with solid waste management regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Resources Division Org 9015 FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and will be included in future Recommended Budgets for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
A solid waste planning consultant will assist the Department in reviewing and assessing the County’s solid waste management plans, programs, and processes to address both immediate and future countywide solid waste management needs.
On September 25, 2024, the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-017 - Solid Waste Planning Consulting Services on behalf of the Department. Bidders were asked to demonstrate their capabilities and qualifications, including experience in education and outreach program development, State-compliant solid waste reporting forms and processes, and addressing and implementing diversion programs, especially Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) (Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) organics diversion. Bidders also were asked to provide examples establishing appropriate experience in project management and administration, including annual project plans, project timelines, periodic status reports, accurate and timely billings, and organizational plans, goals, and philosophies. The RFP notice was sent to nine prospective bidders identified by Department staff as possible interested parties and/or past bid participants and was also published on the County’s Public Purchase system.
The RFP closed on October 23, 2024 and the County received two bid responses. These bids were reviewed by an evaluation committee on November 5, 2024. The committee was comprised of Department staff: two Program Managers, and one Senior Staff Analyst. Each proposal was evaluated on its merits with respect to capability and qualifications, education and outreach, solid waste reporting, implementing diversion programs, and project management. After reviewing the proposals, the evaluation committee ranked the proposals and unanimously recommended SCS Engineers as the most qualified bidder to provide solid waste planning consulting services.
Department staff recommend that your Board approve the proposed agreement to continue the critical elements of planning, design, and implementation of solid waste management programs related to the State’s various solid waste regulations, including the most recent organic waste diversion mandates and edible food recovery requirements.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with SCS Engineers
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino