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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/2000, C10 - RFP FOR MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL/BENEFICIAL REUSE OF BIOSOLIDS, SPECIFICATION NO. 90179 council Nov. 9, 2000 j ac,Enaa REpoRt Cio CITY OF SAN LUIS 001SP0 FROM: John Moss, Utilities Director Prepared By: David Hix, Wastewater Division Manager SUBJECT: RFP FOR MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSALBENEFICIAL REUSE OF BIOSOLIDS, SPECIFICATION No. 90179 CAO RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve request for proposals for Management and Disposal/Beneficial Reuse of Biosolids, Specification 90179, and authorize soliciting of proposals, and authorize contract award by CAO if selected proposal is within the approved budget of$75,000 per year. DISCUSSION Biosolids The City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) annually generates approximately 3000 to 4,000 tons of biosolids. Biosolids are the product of anaerobically digested solids generated from wastewater treatment processes. Anaerobic digestion of the solids reduces the volume of the solids, destroys pathogens and produces a stable soil-like material. The City's biosolids are very high quality, meeting two of three highest state and federal standards. The City's biosolids meet the most stringent standards for regulated pollutants and vector attraction. The regulated pollutants include heavy metals, dioxin and PCBs and the vector attraction requirement ensures the reduction and stabilization of organic matter such that biosolids will not attract vectors such as flies and other pests that may spread disease. Currently the City uses anaerobic digestion that significantly reduces the pathogens in the biosolids and is a state and federally recognized method for pathogen reduction. To achieve the highest level of pathogen destruction would require another process, such as heat drying or composting, that would further reduce the pathogens in the City's biosolids. The highest quality of biosolids are Exceptional Quality or EQ. The City fulfills two of the three requirements for this standard (pollutants and vector attraction), but would need another pathogen destruction process to achieve EQ. Currently the City's biosolids designation is Pollutant Concentration or PC. History and Regulation During the last four years the City has contracted with RPI/Bio Gro to land apply the WRF's annual production of biosolids. Presently the City is paying $18.95/ton to have Bio Gro land apply the City's biosolids on permitted agricultural fields in Kern County. The City also pays an additional $3.37/ton for each ton applied to cover the cost of the Kern County's biosolids management and permitting program. The City has previously extended its contract with Bio Gro for two years (the longest period allowed under the current contract) because of the excellent cost per ton rate they offered. C10-1 Council Agenda Report—RFP for Biosolids Management and Disposal/Beneficial Reuse Page 2 The past four years have seen significant changes in biosolids regulations and activities within San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties and the State. In 1997 BioGro had pursued an application for a permitted facility through the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to land apply biosolids on a local agricultural operation in San Miguel. The permit was later denied by the RWQCB because they felt the project warranted an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The City and Bio Gro both felt that an EIR was unwarranted and would make the project cost prohibitive. At the same time the State was developing a statewide EIR and General Waste Discharge Requirements (GWDRs) for biosolids. Also in 1997/98 the Courcy of Kern was evaluating the scope of biosolids land application occurring within its County. Large volumes of biosolids from Southern California were being permitted by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and legally applied to agricultural land throughout the County by a variety of biosolids companies. Complaints from a few local farmers, environmental groups and some rural residents, plus pressure from large farming corporations made it necessary for Kern County to create a biosolids ordinance. Kern County developed an ordinance that only allows Exceptional Quality (EQ) biosolids to be land applied. This ordinance was adopted January 1, 2000 and allows the land application of other lesser grades of biosolids until January 1, 2003. The City's biosolids do not currently meet EQ standards for pathogen destruction. The State's development of a statewide EIR and GWDR's, which began in 1996, use the framework of the federal biosolids regulations (CFR 503 regs). Professional and scientific review and public comment have resulted in the development of State regulations that are more stringent than the federal regulations, but less restrictive than those of Kern County. The statewide EIR and GWDRs were adopted on August 17, 2000. City staff is continuing to participate with San Luis Obispo.County on the development of local oversight for land application of biosolids in SLO County. In 1998-99 City staff participated on the San Luis Obispo County Health Commission Task Force for Biosolids that recommended a County based program be developed to ensure local oversight of land application of biosolids. The task force also recommended a working group -be convened to develop management, disposition and oversight policies, initiate a public information campaign and establish a project plan and time frame for action. Currently City staff is participating in the working group to develop recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for land application of biosolids in the county. The working group has met several times and hopes to have a recommendation(s) for the Board by April 2001. City staffs goal is to have local oversight that is sensible and allows the beneficial reuse of biosolids and biosolids products such as compost. The RFP Staff is seeking approval of an RFP for the management and disposal/beneficial reuse of the City's biosolids. Evaluation and selection of the proposals will include preference to beneficial reuse proposals, contractors proposing to remove the biosolids as frequently or more frequently than specified, and local beneficial reuse projects. It is anticipated that award of the contract will be in late February. Duration of the contact will be for two years with an option for two, one-year extensions. C10-2 Council Agenda Report—RFP for Biosolids Management and Disposal/Beneficial Reuse Page 3 Other Agencies Below is a brief description of what other agencies are doing with their biosolids. The City generates significantly more biosolids than most agencies our size because of the treatment processes used to attain the high level of water quality required to meet the WRF's discharge requirements. Santa Maria–Currently using its biosolids as a cap to its closed landfill. Cambria – Hauling liquid that is being land applied to permitted agricultural fields in the Kern County. They are currently investigating additional biosolids treatment systems. California Men's Colony (CMC) – CMC's biosolids are being hauled and land applied to permitted agricultural fields in the San Joaquin Valley. South San Luis Obispo Sanitary District (SSLOSD) – SSLOSD had a locally permitted land application site, but that facility is no longer being used. SSLOSD produces EQ biosolids and gives some of its biosolids away to the public. Paso Robles–Biosolids are being used as intermediate cover at the City's landfill. Morro Bay–Morro Bay's biosolids are composted and then land applied to permitted agricultural fields in the San Joaquin Valley. FISCAL IMPACT The 2000-01 WRF budget has identified $75,000 for biosolids disposal. This amount was derived using Bio Gro's current rate applied to the City's current production of biosolids. This funding may not be adequate for future disposal/beneficial reuse because of the increasing amount of stringent regulations and requirements associated with biosolids. Upon receipt of the proposals, staff will evaluate the need for additional funding and availability of revenues and if necessary, request additional funding be authorized at the time of award. ALTERNATIVES 1. Extend Bio Gro's Contract.. Although Bio Gro's current rate is very good, their contract has been extended to the longest period allowed by the contract and Bio Gro cannot guarantee the current rate. ATTACHMENTS Scope of Work The Proposal Packet is available for review in the Council Office. C10-3 DESCRIPTION F WORK :<.:; The City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department is seeking proposals from firms to provide management and disposal/beneficial reuse for the City's biosolids. BACKGROUND The City of San Luis Obispo is located on the Central Coast approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) provides tertiary treatment to approximately 4.5 million gallons per day using activated sludge/nitrification. All biosolids removed in the treatment process are anaerobically digested by three digesters operated in series. The digesters provide 54 days of total detention time at 30 degreesC. Volatile solids reduction averages 50%. After digestion the biosolids are dewatered using a belt filter press during the wet season (November-April) or dried in drying beds during the dry season (May-October). Moisture content ranges from 40% in the dry season to 85% during the wet season. The City's biosolids do not exceed Table 3 requirements for pollutants [40 CFR 503.131, meet alternative 1 [40 CFR 503.33(b)] for vector attraction using Volatile Solids Reduction(VSR) of 38%or greater and meet alternative 2 for Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRP) [40 CFR 503.32(b)(3)] using anaerobic digestion. Overall the City produces 3,000 to 4,000 tons of PC quality biosolids. SCOPE OF WORK The contractor shall provide all services related to transportation, disposal/beneficial reuse, permitting and monitoring of the City's biosolids in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local requirements. The contractors proposal shall include the include a detailed description of the proposed method of biosolids reuse and shall include but not be limited to the following: 1. The contractor shall provide with his/her proposal, all required regulatory permits for hauling and disposal/beneficial reuse of the entire quantity of biosolids as specified herein. The contractor shall be responsible for all fees associated with permitting. The contractor shall also be responsible at her/his expense for meeting all monitoring and reporting requirements imposed by all regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the contractor's disposal/beneficial reuse operations; and shall provide at his/her expense all capital improvements, and shall pay all operating expenses,needed at the disposal/beneficial reuse site to protect surface and groundwaters and the site resources per the requirements of the responsible regulatory agencies. Copies of all the regulatory monitoring, permits and all permits background data shall be provided to the City. Representatives of the City shall be permitted on the disposal/beneficial reuse site at all times. 2. The contractor shall be responsible for hauling 100 percent of the biosolids being generated, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 tons/year for a period of two or three years. The contractor's responsibilities shall include furnishing and maintaining all sludge trailers, including water tight and covered trailers as required; furnishing and maintaining all truck tractors required to transport the trailers; furnishing all drivers and operators; furnishing all vehicle fuel required to transport the biosolids from the City to the disposal/beneficial reuse site and return trip; provide and maintain full vehicle insurance, general liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance as required by law and identified in section E. The contractor shall also be responsible for and pay all traffic violations incurred as a result of hauling operations. -2- 3. The contractor shall be responsible for furnishing and maintaining tractor/loaders required to load the stockpiled biosolids, and equipment operators for loading the stockpiled biosolids. 4. The contractor shall provide sufficient facilities and/or land to accommodate 150 percent of the total anticipated amount of biosolids to disposal/beneficial reuse during the contract period. Approved regulatory permits for the facilities and/or land to be utilized, as the contractor's application area shall be provided with the contractor's proposal. 5. The contractor shall be responsible for furnishing all equipment, labor.and materials for the disposalfbeneficial reuse operations. The contractor's responsibilities shall include furnishing and maintaining all equipment required to support her/his operations; furnishing all vehicle operators and support personnel required to support his/her operations; furnishing all vehicle and support equipment fuel; providing and maintaining full vehicle and equipment insurance, general liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance as required by law. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 1. The contractor selected will be required to enter into a contract with the City. In addition, the contractor will be required to secure and maintain in force throughout the duration of the contract insurance as described in section E. 2. Finns or individuals submitting a proposal and any associate consultant or subcontractor must be legally qualified in the State of California to practice the work required in this RFP and must hold all licenses and/or registration required by law. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The contractor shall have previous operating experience with similar projects. The contractor shall currently be providing similar services for at least one agency. The contractor shall be aware of all applicable regulatory requirements, and shall provide with the proposal all permits required for the proposed project. Proposals submitted with permits currently pending approval by the appropriate regulatory agencies may be considered assuming the proposer can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City that the permits will be obtained in a manner that will not impact the time constraints of the project. All required permits will be required prior to contract approval. The contractor shall be capable of hauling to the proposed discharge area within(30)days following notice to proceed. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES Estimated annual biosolids production is 3,000 to 4,000 tons per year*. * This value is an approximation only, based on past hauling records and current operation of the WRF. The proposer shall base her/his cost proposal on the following constraints;the proposer shall be required to haul up to 100 percent of the biosolids being produced at the City's WRF to the proposer's disposal/beneficial reuse site. The proposer shall provide facilities (land)of sufficient area to accommodate 150 percent of the total estimated biosolids to be hauled. The actual haul schedule shall be arranged between the City and the successful proposer. The proposer shall assume that the quantity of biosolids to be hauled may increase during the wet season, November through April. The City reserves the right to determine the schedule in the case of conflict. 00-5 -3- OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND HAULING SCHEDULES Operational procedures shall be mutually arranged between the City and the successful proposer. The proposer shall provide sufficient trailers, loaders and equipment to remove biosolids continuously generated from the Water Reclamation Facility site at a frequency of not less than bi-monthly (every two months). Actual details of scheduling shall be refined with experience. The City may consider alternate hauling schedules as proposed if, in the opinion of the City, the proposed alternative schedule does not impede the operation of the City's Water Reclamation Facility. The proposer shall not assume that the City can store more than 500 cubic yards of biosolids on site. Costs shall be based on a unit cost per ton. All load weights shall be provided by certified scales and provided to the City with contract invoicing. SLUDGE QUALITY The City shall be responsible for producing PC biosolids that that do not exceed Table 3 requirements for pollutants [40 CFR 503.131, meet alternative 1 [40 CFR 503.33(b)] for vector attraction using Volatile Solids Reduction (VSR) of 38% or greater and meet alternative 2 for Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens(PSRP) [40 CFR 503.32(b)(3)] using anaerobic digestion. The City will provide biosolids quality monitoring as required by the 40 CFR 503 regulations. The City's last biosolids annual report, dioxin and PCB sampling is provided as Attachment 1. The dewatered biosolids come from drying beds and from a belt filter press. The drying bed biosolids are a loose solids containing approximately 40 % solids and resembling soil. The belt press solids are approximately 15%to 20%solids and of moist cake consistency. The proposer shall provide covered trailers to prevent any loss of biosolids while being transported from the Water Reclamation Facility to the final point of application. LOAD WEIGHT It shall be the responsibility of the proposer to insure that each trailer is loaded to the proper weight. The City shall require the proposer to provide the certified load weight of each vehicle at no additional cost to the City. LICENSING All equipment utilized in connection with this contract shall be fully licensed to operate on the highways of the State of California. All public highway drivers and operators of such equipment shall be fully licensed by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. EQUIPMENT CLEANING The proposer shall be responsible for keeping his/her equipment in neat and clean manner. Major cleaning and servicing of equipment shall not take place at the City's Water Reclamation Facility. RULES AND REGULATIONS The proposer shall be aware of existing, revised, proposed and new Federal, State and Local and other rules and regulations covering her/his activities in connection with this work. -4- Changes in regulations or practices necessitated by any revision in rules and regulations shall be brought to the attention of the City sufficiently in advance of their implementation so as to permit adjustment of the schedule or method of operation of the proposer. The City shall not be responsible for notifying the proposer of any changes in rules and regulations regarding the handling and delivery of biosolids that affects his/her operations. -5-