Biosolids and Leachate Treatment Cost of Service and Maintenance Agreements Cost Analysis

West County Agency (WCA), a Joint Powers Agency consisting of West County Wastewater (WCW), City of Richmond, and Richmond Municipal Sewer District, seeks proposals from qualified firms to provide biosolids and leachate treatment cost of service and maintenance agreements cost analysis services. WCA is a joint powers authority that operates and maintains certain joint assets for the benefit of WCW and the City. The WCA Board has voted to dissolve the WCA and move forward with a series of Operating Agreements between the parties for operations and maintenance of the shared assets.

The scope includes developing updated costs of service for sludge processing, leachate treatment, and effluent dechlorination. WCW provides wastewater collection and treatment services to approximately 100,000 residents and operates a water quality resource recovery plant with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitted capacity of 12.5 million gallons per day. The system includes 249 miles of gravity sewer pipelines, 17 lift stations, and 6 miles of pressurized force mains.

WCW is undergoing large capital improvements including energy efficiency upgrades, installation of a co-generation system, and construction of a sludge handling process to create Class A biosolids. As a result, WCW is negotiating updated operating agreements with partners including the City and West County Landfill (Republic Services) related to sludge treatment, secondary effluent dechlorination, and landfill-generated leachate treatment. Additionally, operations and maintenance agreements for storm water and sewer lift stations need to be updated based on actual costs of service. A fee structure per gallon or MGD must be developed for treating two leachate waste streams (Class 1 and 2) from the closed West County Landfill adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility.

The selected Proposer will execute an agreement for a two-year base term if approved by WCA's Board of Directors. All proposals must be submitted through WCW's eProcurement Portal (OpenGov Procurement). The Q&A deadline is December 28, 2023 at 23:00 (11:00 PM). The proposal submission deadline is January 15, 2024 at 23:00 (11:00 PM). Proposals will not be accepted after the deadline. An incomplete proposal or one that does not conform to requirements may not be considered at WCA's sole discretion. Issuance of this RFP does not obligate WCA to award a contract. Submission of a proposal constitutes a firm offer for 180 days from the deadline.