MECKLENBURG COUNTY Land Use & Environmental Services Agency Solid Waste

MECKLENBURG COUNTY Land Use & Environmental Services Agency Solid Waste SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) MECKLENBURG COUNTY SOLID WASTE ENGINEERING SERVICES I. INTRODUCTION This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is being issued by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Services (County) for the purpose of soliciting Statements and Qualifications from firms (the Consultant) for providing Engineering Services for the County s solid waste facilities, with a focus on design and permitting of a new Type I compost and recycling facility. The services may include but are not limited to the preparation and submittal of all documentation for the design, operations, regulatory compliance, and management of the County s facility and programs for the next five (5) year period.. The main focus of the services to be provided will be the design, permitting, construction and monitoring of a new Type I compost facility to be located on a 50.8 acre site in the 6500-6700 blocks of Rozzelles Ferry Road (Tax Parcel #035-054-23), bounded by Rozzelles Ferry Road, Valleydale Road, and Fred D. Alexander Boulevard. The location of the undeveloped site is shown in Figure 1. The new composting and recycling facility is to be fully operational by the spring of 2015, and will replace the County s existing compost operations at Compost Central, currently located at 5631 West Boulevard in Charlotte, directly south of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CDIA). In addition to the operations at Compost Central, the operations from the West Mecklenburg Recycling Center will also be moved to the Rozzelles Ferry Road site. Compost Central is currently located on roughly 60 acres of property owned by the City of Charlotte and is the County s primary yard waste management facility, producing compost and other mulch products for sale from the yard waste received. A total 105,525 tons of yard waste was received in Fiscal Year 2013 at all County facilities. Compost Central received about 62,728 tons (63%) from the City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services as well as Mecklenburg County residents and small lawn-care businesses. A secondary, but very important, function of PEOPLE PRIDE PROGRESS PARTNERSHIPS 700 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (704) 336-6513 Fax (704) 336-4314 www.wipeoutwaste.com

Compost Central is the initial management of yard debris resulting from a significant storm event. The West Mecklenburg Recycling Center is one of the County s four full-service and staffed recycling centers that accepts recyclable materials such as paper, glass, and plastics as well as household hazardous waste, white goods or appliances, scrap tires, metal, discarded electronics, household garbage and small quantities of construction and demolition waste. This is a convenience center primarily serving residential customers. Approximately 500 tons of materials are received annually at this center. There will be a Pre-Proposal meeting on Thursday, December 19th at 1 PM. The meeting will initially take place at the Hal Marshall Center at 700 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC and will include a tour of Compost Central as well as the Rozzelles Ferry Road site. Attendance is optional but strongly recommended for firms that are planning to submit a response to this RFQ. The County has an active permit for the current Compost Central facility issued by the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of Solid Waste Management (Permit #60-12). The facility is currently permitted as a Large Type I Composting Facility under North Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules. II. DESCRIPTION OF ANTICIPATED SERVICES The Consultant shall provide engineering services to meet (1) all requirements of the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules; (2) any building code or building permit requirements; and (3) any other requirements imposed by law or ordinance. The County anticipates service requirements during the next five years may include but are not limited to the following: 1. Design, permitting and construction of a Type I composting and recycling facility that may include the following: Preliminary and detailed civil design Development of permit documents for the new facility Construction management Site optimization to ensure that the site can be configured to produce the optimum mix of products Evaluation of site security to include approaches, alarms, cameras, etc Determination of on-site water supply, if economically feasible, for windrow watering requirements Inclusion of a storm debris management area and/or plan in the event of a large scale influx of yard waste. Responses to NCDENR correspondence 2. Preparation of required reports 3. Additional permitting services 4. QA/QC and CQA for relevant projects 5. Solid waste operations consulting - 2 -

6. Strategic planning processes 7. Evaluation of market opportunities for products produced 8. Presentations to the various County Advisory Boards having an interest in solid waste 9. Other services as required Technical questions concerning this RFQ should be referred to: Mr. Darren J. Steinhilber, P.E. Project Manager Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services 700 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 Phone: (704) 336-4447 Fax: (704) 336-4314 Email: Darren.Steinhilber@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov III. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS The County intends to fully evaluate only proposals received from Consultants who meet certain minimum technical and managerial qualifications. Consultants failing to show a level of technical and managerial experience sufficient to meet the County s minimum requirements may be dropped from the evaluation and procurement process. Consultants must be duly licensed to perform engineering work in North Carolina. If the Consultant desires to use the qualifications of a subcontractor to meet any part of the technical and managerial qualifications, then the Consultant must identify the subcontractor and be willing to fully accept the responsibility for the subcontractor, and to indemnify the County for the Consultants use of the subcontractor. The Consultant must demonstrate technical and managerial experience in the design of composting facilities. IV. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS Please take note of the following very important requirements: All materials are to be submitted electronically in one (1) Adobe Acrobat X.PDF file, by the date indicated in the schedule below. In addition, please submit one hard copy of the proposal. Submittals may be color or black/white and must be on standard forms SF-255 and SF-254; they should be concise and to the point; not elaborate productions. All portions must be 8½ x 11 landscape orientation. - 3 -

Limit standard form SF-254 materials to relevant projects. In lieu of submitting SF-254, you may pre-file all participants SF-254 forms with our office in the above-approved formats per Section 6 of the SF-255. Forms older than one (1) year or significantly incorrect from the facts (staff, locations, etc.) will be considered VOID and the entire submittal will be considered non-responsive. Please verify with our office the SIGNED DATE (digital) of your SF-254 form(s), which are on file with Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Services. Submittals may include spreadsheets, graphics, logos and any other "objects" embedded in the SF form(s). If in doubt as to where to place below-requested information, please use SF- 255, Section 10. Links or references to websites will not be allowed. A submittal must be received in its entirety. In Block 3, clearly list website URL and e-mail address for each firm participating in the submittal. Scanned signatures shall be valid for this submittal. E-mail routing and IP information will be logged to verify authenticity and becomes a part of your submittal signature as well as date-time logging. A single submittal for this proposal (all pages and sheets) is limited to a maximum of 25 pages. If applicable, clearly disclose all potential conflicts or appearances of conflicts of interest with third parties; include (1) present or prior relationships, (2) work in same or different discipline, (3) work in local area or elsewhere, (4) work as prime or sub-consultant., etc. The submission shall address each of the following: PROJECT APPROACH The Consultant must demonstrate technical and managerial experience in the design and construction management of solid waste facilities, including Type I composting facilities. The Consultant must include in the Submittal: 1. An overview of the Consultant s firm that demonstrates its experience in the design of an Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility, including a Large Type I Composting Facility as defined under North Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules. 2. An overview of the Consultant s design and permitting project team including resumes for key individuals and where each is based. 3. An overview of the Consultant s specific solid waste facility permitting experience with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). 4. Preliminary site design of the new Type I compost facility. - 4 -

SIMILAR EXPERIENCE NEW COMPOST AND RECYCLING FACILITY ENGINEERING SERVICES RFQ In detail, describe the past experience of your firm with similar contracts. Include an overview of the Consultant s firm that demonstrates its experience in the design of a windrow compost facility that receives a minimum of 40,000 tons of raw material annually and produces at least 2,500 cubic yards of compost annually. Data for at least one of the compost facilities should include the following information: a. Name of referenced compost facility b. Contracting parties c. Name of facility owner d. Date facility began operation e. Description of facility and auxiliaries f. Annual production g. Waste source(s) h. Describe the permits required by the permitting authority i. Indicate the scheduled and actual completion dates. Indicate reasons for any variance between the scheduled and actual completion dates Include three (3) individuals with telephone numbers to contact for references. Photographs, maps, layouts or other supporting material from similar projects are encouraged if embedded in Section 10 of SF-255. PROJECT TEAM Provide a graphical representation of your team (organizational chart), including the firm s name, individuals involved and the role they will perform (principal-in-charge, project manager, engineer, planner, economist, etc.). Provide a description of the qualifications and experience of the specific individuals that will be involved, including registration numbers and expiration dates of architects, planners, engineers, etc. for verification. Identify their experience with similar type contracts. PRELIMINARY SITE DESIGN A preliminary site design of the new Type I compost facility should be included in the Submittal to address the following: a. Location of entrance/exit b. Location of fee booth/scales, maintenance building(s), office, and equipment cleaning area c. Recycling area d. Storm debris area e. Processing area (grinding and screening) f. Windrow storage g. Product storage area h. Debagging area - 5 -

i. Raw material storage area COST CONTROL & SCHEDULING Timing of the schedule is critical to avoid impacting adjacent and subsequent projects, especially in relation to the design and construction of the new Type I compost facility. Describe your firm s method of keeping a project on schedule and within budget. Describe the creative techniques used to minimize research and work redundancy while providing a comprehensive effort. The consultant shall assure that at all times, sufficient staff is available and assigned to a project, so as not to impact subsequent projects. V. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE All submittals received by the deadline will be evaluated. Submittals received after the deadline will not be evaluated. Proposal submittal deadline January 6, 2014-10:00 AM Selection Committee reviews submittals, conducts interviews (if necessary), and makes recommendation January 2014 Final Scope and Fee Proposal submittal deadline February 2014 Qualification submittals are to be received by County by the date shown above. The County Selection Committees will review all submittals received by the deadline. Submittals received after the deadline will not be reviewed. Submittals must be e-mailed to Darren Steinhilber at: Darren.Steinhilber@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Consultants without e-mail availability may send a CD to: Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Services Land Use and Environmental Services Agency - Basement Level 700 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 Attention: Darren J. Steinhilber, P.E. - 6 -

Questions regarding this RFQ should be directed to: Darren Steinhilber, P.E., Project Manager, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste, voice 704.336.4528; fax 704.336.4314 e-mail: Darren.Steinhilber@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Consultants are strongly encouraged to test-submit proposals to themselves to review format and integrity of the submittal. Submittals that cannot be opened or are otherwise corrupt will not be evaluated. Consultants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline. Submittals that are received after the deadline due to Internet delays, firewalls, large file delivery times, etc. will not be considered. Consultants will receive an e-mail confirmation upon receipt and successful opening of their submittal including that submittal was received before the deadline. After a review of the submittals, firms may be short-listed for personal interviews. Interviews will take place per the above referenced date. VI. SELECTION CRITERIA The selection of the consultant shall be based on proposal information exhibited in both written and graphic form and personal interviews (if conducted). Criteria for selection will include, but not necessarily be limited to the following: A. Relevant experience of the same or similar type projects in content and scope. B. Consultant understanding of the goals and objectives. C. The qualifications and experience of the consultant's key project team members who will actually be actively involved in projects. (Note: both firm and team members must have relevant experience with similar projects.) D. Ability and resources to meet design and review time lines - 7 -

E. Approach to cost control and scheduling. NEW COMPOST AND RECYCLING FACILITY ENGINEERING SERVICES RFQ F. Experience in successfully and rapidly obtaining necessary permits G. Reference checks. H. Ease of local access to the consultant s staff. I. The submittal itself as an example of the quality of the firm's work. The objective of the evaluation and selection process is to select the Consultant that in the judgment of the County is the most qualified for the work. A cost proposal should not be provided. The County will negotiate a Contract with the Consultant ranked first in the qualifications. If the County is unable to successfully negotiate a contact with the Consultant ranked first, then the County will proceed to negotiate with the Consultant ranked second. VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT REQUIREMENTS A. MINORITY/WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE It is the policy of Mecklenburg County to provide minorities and women equal opportunity for participating in all aspects of the County's contracting and procurement programs, including but not limited to employment, construction development projects, and materials/services, consistent with the laws of the State of North Carolina. The policy of Mecklenburg County prohibits discrimination against any person or business in pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or veteran's status. It is further the policy of Mecklenburg County to conduct its contracting and procurement programs so as to prevent such discrimination and to resolve any and all claims of such discrimination. B. ADA COMPLIANCE Mecklenburg County will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability. Mecklenburg County will make reasonable accommodations in all programs to enable participation by an individual with a disability who meets essential eligibility requirements. Mecklenburg County programs will be available in the most integrated setting for each individual. If any accommodations are necessary for participation in any program or services, participants are encouraged to notify County Staff. C. INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS To the extent permitted by law, the Consultant shall indemnify and save harmless Mecklenburg County, its officers, agents, employees and assigns from and against all loss, cost, damages, expense and liability caused by an accident or other occurrence resulting in bodily injury, including death, sickness and disease to any person; or damage or destruction to property, real or personal; arising directly or indirectly from operations, products or services rendered or purchased under this contract. - 8 -

The Consultant further agrees to purchase and maintain during the life of this contract with an insurance company acceptable to Mecklenburg County, authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina the following insurance: AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY - Bodily injury and property damage liability covering all owned, non owned, and hired automobiles for limits of not less than $1,000,000 bodily injury each person, each accident and $1,000,000 property damage or $1,000,000 combined single limit bodily injury and property damage. COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY - Bodily injury and property damage liability as shall protect the contractor and any subcontractor performing work under this contract from claims of bodily injury or property damage which arises from operation of this contract whether such operations are preformed by contractor, any subcontractor or anyone directly or indirectly employed by either. The amounts of such insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000 bodily injury each occurrence/aggregate and $1,000,000 property damage each occurrence/aggregate or $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage combined single limits each occurrence/aggregate. This insurance shall include coverage for products/completed operations, personal injury liability and contractual liability. WORKERS' COMPENSATION - Meeting the statutory requirements of the State of North Carolina. Employers Liability - $100,000 per accident limit, $500,000 disease per policy limit, $100,000 disease each employee limit. Certificates of such insurance will be furnished and shall contain the provision that Mecklenburg County will be given 30 days written notice of any intent to amend or terminate by either the consultant or the insuring company. - 9 -