Title
Environmental Management Department recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings in accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 subsection (B) of County Ordinance Code, find that specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work; and
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign competitively bid Agreement 8823 with Tetra Tech BAS, Inc., doing business as Bryan A. Stirrat & Associates, for the provision of as-needed solid waste, landfill, and wastewater treatment plant general engineering and construction quality assurance services, with a not-to-exceed amount of $450,000 and a term of three years effective upon execution.
FUNDING: County Service Area 10 Solid Waste funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In April 2024, Procurement and Contracts, a Division of the Chief Administrative Office, on behalf of the Environmental Management Department (Environmental Management), issued Request for Qualification (RFQ) #24-0034 for solid waste and landfill general engineering and construction quality assurance services and subsequently awarded the bid to Tetra Tech BAS, Inc as well as Geosyntec Consultants.
In accordance with the County’s Procurement Policy C-17, Section 7.10, Request for Qualifications, Environmental Management staff, along with a representative from the Department of Transportation, formed an evaluation committee to review responses for each of the engineering categories. Prospective consulting firms were evaluated for both categories on a basis of the firm’s experience with work including, but not limited to, landfill and wastewater treatment plant design, engineering, construction, maintenance, closure/post-closure plans and analysis, erosion control/storm water maintenance services, leachate collection and management, landfill gas collection, air quality permitting, and local, state, and federal regulatory requirements applicable to both landfills and wastewater treatment plants. It was determined that the qualified firms for solid waste and landfill engineering services were Tetra Tech BAS, Inc. (Tetra Tech), and Geosyntec. The contract with Geosyntec is still in the process of negotiations with the consultant and County Counsel. This contract will be brought to the Board at a future date for approval.
Environmental Management is requesting to enter into a three-year Agreement with Tetra Tech, BAS Inc with a not-to-exceed amount of $450,000.
In accordance with Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030(B) of the County Ordinance Code, Environmental Management recommends that the Board concur that the selected engineering consultant possesses specialized skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications. These skills are essential for the necessary and anticipated work at the Union Mine Disposal Site, including both landfill and wastewater treatment plant engineering and construction quality assurance services-services that Environmental Management lacks the personnel and equipment to perform in-house. Tetra Tech has been utilized for many years and possesses a unique expertise with the Union Mine Landfill and its history, which allows them to use their previous experience and work products for current and future projects more efficiently than transitioning that specific work to a new consultant.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the proposed Agreement. This would result in Environmental Management’s inability to secure these services, which are necessary on a regular basis in order to complete projects and maintain compliance with various state and local permitting and regulatory agencies.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have approved the proposed Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for these services and anticipated projects has been included in the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget. Funding for the remaining services and projects will be included in subsequent years’ budgets accordingly.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Infrastructure
CONTACT
Jeffrey Warren, REHS
Director
Environmental Management Department