Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

 

TO:

David L. Corliss- City Manager

Cynthia Wagner – Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard – Assistant City Manager

FROM:

Carolyn Woodhead – Utilities Specialist

CC:

Dave Wagner – Director Of Utilities

Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities

Mark Hegeman – Superintendent of Operations

Lance Bauman – Field Supervisor Interim

DATE:

11/12/13

RE:

Agenda Item - Authorize City Manager to execute a contract for the 2014 Biosolids Land Application with Parker Ag Services, LLC.

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the November 19, 2013 meeting:

 

Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Parker Ag Services, LLC for the 2014 Biosolids Land Application Program with the option to extend for four additional one year periods with both parties consent.

 

Project Description. 

The City of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant processes and treats approximately 8.7 million gallons of wastewater per day. From the treatment process, approximately 8,000 cubic yards of biosolids are land applied yearly to privately-owned agricultural properties. This has been a long standing and successful program for us since 1994. Currently the biosolids are in cake form (about 20 – 22 percent solids). Typically, before planting & after harvest, biosolids are hauled to the agricultural site and spread at an agronomic rate to match the field and crop nitrogen requirements. This is then incorporated into the soil using a disc. All activities must be conducted in a manner which meets all existing regulations and requirements and shall not negatively affect the City’s public relations and existing relationships with area farms. Past land application contacts have been awarded for one year with the option to renew for an additional four years with inflationary increases and both party’s consent.

 

Purchase Status. 

Staff received approval to advertise the request for bid proposals at the September 24 City Commission meeting. Bid proposals were received & ranked via panel review, using the following criteria: (1) Related Project Experience, (2) Project Team, (3) Project Approach, (4) Proposed Schedule, (5) Bid Price, and (6) Intangibles. The panel reviewed proposals from the following land application companies:

          Synagro

          Parker Ag Services, LLC

          Nutri-Ject Systems Inc.

          Terra Renewal West LLC

Based on the panel evaluation of the criteria and consensus, Parker Ag Services, LLC was ranked as the overall best choice for this project. Although Parker Ag Services was the second lowest in bid price, they ranked higher in the other criteria categories.  

 

Project Funding.   

Funding for the project will be from the Department of Utilities 2014 operations and maintenance budget.

 

Action Request.  

Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Parker Ag Services, LLC for the 2014 Biosolids Land Application Program with the option to extend for four additional one year periods with both parties consent.