DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement for Edible Food Generator Site Inspection 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, for edible food generator site inspection services, effective October 20, 2026, not to exceed three consecutive years, which includes a one-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $216,121.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval and authorization of the Agreement will provide inspection of 25% of all Edible Food Generators throughout Fresno County’s 16 jurisdictions consisting of 15 incorporated cities and the County’s unincorporated areas, in compliance with Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended action; however, smaller jurisdictions without the capacity to perform their own inspections would see an increased risk of enforcement action by CalRecycle if regulatory requirements are not met.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Costs for services provided under this agreement are funded by the County’s Solid Waste Management Program Administration Fee (currently $3.41 per ton of landfilled solid waste) as well as the Exclusive Service Area Program (ESAP) AB 939 service fee (currently at 4%). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Resources Division Org 9015 FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the term’s duration.
DISCUSSION:
On November 6, 2018, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to Assembly Bill 939 - The Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939). The AB 939 MOU Committee (Committee) is comprised of 16 jurisdictions - Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, Selma, and unincorporated Fresno County, which have collectively agreed to implement a regional approach to waste reduction and diversion. The Committee is responsible for overseeing regional-level programs designed to meet the state’s mandated diversion targets.
The State enacted SB 1383, which established short-lived climate pollutant reduction mandates which include requirements for organic waste collection and diversion, as well as edible food recovery. SB 1383 requires jurisdiction to conduct inspections of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Edible Food Generators to assess compliance with edible food recovery requirements. The Committee authorized the County to solicit proposals from qualified vendors to conduct Edible Food Generator inspections to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize the risk of enforcement actions or administrative penalties.
Under the recommended Agreement, SCS will conduct SB 1383 site inspections, provide technical assistance to regulated businesses, document inspection results in Careit, and provide progress and summary reporting to the Committee.
On October 17, 2025, the General Services Department - Purchasing Division issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-020 - Edible Food Generator (EFG) & Food Recovery Organization (FRO) Inspection Services on behalf of the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department). Bidders were asked to demonstrate their capabilities, experience, and qualifications in working with State-compliant solid waste processes. Bidders also were asked to provide examples establishing appropriate project management and administration, including project timelines, periodic status reports, accurate and timely billings, and organizational plans and goals. The RFP notice was sent to prospective bidders identified by Department staff as possible interested parties and/or participants and was also published on the County’s Public Purchase system.
The RFP closed on November 17, 2025, and one bid response was received and reviewed by an evaluation committee on January 23, 2026. The committee was comprised of a Senior Staff Analyst from the Department, an Assistant Director from the City of Fresno, a Solid Waste Manager from the City of Clovis, a Recycle Program Manager from Mid Valley Disposal, and a Senior Account Executive from Waste Management. The proposal was evaluated on their merits with respect to capability, experience, and qualifications. After reviewing the proposal, the evaluation committee unanimously agreed that SCS Engineers is qualified to provide site inspections services of Edible Food Generators.
This agreement deviates from the County’s standard contract length of a three-year base term with two optional one-year extensions. The AB 939 MOU Committee requested a shorter overall contract term on the basis of fiscal responsibility, and the expectation that jurisdictions will be able to conduct their own inspections by October 2029. Upon approval, the recommended Agreement will be effective October 20, 2026, through October 19, 2027, with two optional consecutive 12-month extensions through October 19, 2029.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #51, November 6, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with SCS Engineers
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia