Agenda Item Name:
Title
EcoLoop Request for Proposals RFP 22-328-MM.
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Presenter:
Gus Olmos, 352.548.1282
Sean H. Mclendon, 352.548.3765
Description:
Evaluation and ranking of the business proposals received in response to the EcoLoop Request for Proposals RFP 22-328-MM
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Authorize staff to start negotiations with Florida Express Environmental to develop a lease agreement for the construction and operation of a Construction and Demolition Materials Recovery Facility at the EcoLoop.
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Prior Board Motions:
September 28, 2021 - Adoption of Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan.
February 8, 2022 - Approval of Request for Proposal documents.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
No fiscal impacts at this time
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Environment
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Background:
On September 28, 2021, the County adopted the Joint Alachua County / City of Gainesville Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan Presentation. The project, initiated in 2019, provides direction for devising the means, methods, and infrastructure necessary to sustainably manage materials within both jurisdictions. One of the key recommendations of the Report was the establishment of public and private partnerships to facilitate innovative research and to develop new technologies for managing solid waste in Alachua County. One of the components of the County’s Zero Waste Plan is the development of the EcoLoop, located adjacent to the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station (5115 NE 63 Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609). The purpose of the EcoLoop is to take advantage of the many emerging waste recycling technologies, generate quality employment opportunities, and to stimulate the market for locally sourced manufacturing inputs.
The Request for Proposals was released on March 12, 2022 and the County received three proposals by the required deadline of April 27, 2022:
(1) Florida Express Environmental for the construction of a Construction and Demolition Materials Recovery Facility.
(2) CarbonSweep for the construction of a Biorefinery to produce diesel fuel and other products.
(3) WastAway with a concept plan for the construction of a facility to produce engineered fuel.
The Request Proposals (RFP) and the individual proposal are attached. Section 6 of the RFP describes the Scope of Work, Section 7 provides background information on the solid waste operations in the County and Section 9 describes the evaluation criteria.
The County’s Evaluation Committee Members discussed and ranked the proposals on June 30, 2022. Florida Express Environmental received 81 points, and both CarbonSweep and WastAway received 42 points. The Committee agreed that the Florida Express Environmental proposal was an excellent fit for the EcoLoop. The CarbonSweep and WastAway low scores were primarily because the proposals did not meet the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, Solid Waste Element, Policy 1.2.5.
Policy 1.2.5 states that: “The use of tires, plastics or plastic derived materials as a fuel source or as feedstock for a waste to energy facility is prohibited in the County solid waste system.” The Committee voted to recommend the Board review the proposal and rankings and authorize staff to start contract negotiations with Florida Express Environmental.
Staff presented the proposals and rankings to the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee on July 5 and to the Economic Development Advisory Committee on July 7. Both committees agreed with staff’s recommendation but also recommended that the Board review the existing “waste to energy” policies in the Comprehensive Plan that resulted in the exclusion from consideration of CarbonSweep, WastAway and similar technologies.
Related Next Steps: Final site marketing materials are in development. These will be used by a real estate broker to recruit additional industry applications for the EcoLoop. An Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for broker representation will be issued soon.