Submitted By: Rusella Bowes-Johnson
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Presentation By: Sean Lanier
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Department: Water & Sewer
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve award of a five-year contract to A.C.M.S., Inc. d/b/a Heart of Florida Environmental for the disposal of City wastewater treatment plant biosolids in their landfill with an aggregate expenditure of $2,867,850
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala’s (City) Water Resources Department (Department) is requesting approval of the award of Contract No.: WRS/250069 to A.C.M.S., Inc. d/b/a Heart of Florida Environmental (ACMS) for the disposal of biosolids from water reclamation facilities (WRF) 2 and 3 in its landfill. ACMS is the nearest landfill to the City of Ocala that will accept our biosolids and the City has been hauling biosolids to that location since 2018. Currently, we haul approximately 8,800 tons per year of biosolids.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
ACMS’s proposed price for disposal is $62 per ton with an annual increase of 2.5 percent each anniversary year of the contract start date of January 2, 2025. The old rate was $39.62/ton under the previous five-year agreement. This is a 56% increase. The City surveyed all Class I landfills within three hours driving distance and found that ACMS is still the most cost-effective disposal option. This survey is attached to this agenda item.
Staff recommends approval of this contract with ACMS for a five-year term with two consecutive five-year renewals. This contract contains a provision that either party may terminate this agreement, for any reason or no reason, upon six (6) months written notice to the other party.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Water Resources Department has budgeted sufficient funds in the FY25 budget, to cover costs from January 2, 2025, through September 30, 2025, as follows:
WRF #2 455-030-305-535-53-34010 $188,000
WRF #3 455-030-308-535-53-34010 $210,000
The Department will budget annually to cover costs for future years.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
The services were procured in accordance with the City of Ocala Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The agreement will be reviewed as to form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
SUPPORT MATERIALS:
Draft Agreement (.pdf)
Policy Exception approval (email)
Survey of Class I Landfills