RFP for Rate Study for Solid Waste Collection and Related Services NEW!

Agency:	City of Merced
State:	California
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	S - Utilities and Training Services
Posted:	Feb 9, 2024
Due:	Mar 18, 2024
Solicitation No:	20240318-PW
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

RFP for Rate Study for Solid Waste Collection and Related Services

Department: Public Works
Category: Requests for Proposal (RFP)
RFP Number: 20240318-PW
Start Date: 02/09/2024
Close Date: 03/18/2024 4:00 PM

The City of Merced (City), Public Works Department, is seeking a consultant to prepare a comprehensive rate study for solid waste collection charges and related service charges. The selected consultant shall perform the tasks specified in the “Scope of Work” section of the Request for Proposal (RFP).

Proposal Deadline: March 18, 2024 by 4:00 PM

Please click here to download the RFP package.

For questions, please contact Ken Elwin, Director of Public Works at elwink@cityofmerced.org.

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CITY OF MERCED

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RATE STUDY FOR

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RELATED SERVICES

Introduction

The City of Merced (City), Public Works Department, is seeking a consultant to prepare a comprehensive

rate study for solid waste collection charges and related service charges. The selected consultant shall

perform the tasks specified in the “Scope of Work” section of the Request for Proposal (RFP). The

consultant is encouraged to suggest additions or modifications to the scope that will enhance or clarify the

study; these suggestions should be incorporated in the proposal.

The intent of the Study is to independently assess and evaluate existing solid waste collection rates and

provide fair and reasonable rate structures that will adequately fund the utility’s operational, capital

improvement, and debt service needs for a period of no less than five (5) years and consistent with industry

accepted cost-of-service principles, satisfying future revenue requirements and meeting State law

requirements. The Study will be based on a comprehensive review of refuse enterprise funds’ historical

statements of revenue and expense, current year budgets, customer counts and classes, historical collection

tonnage data, Capital Improvement Plans, projected growth, and any other information deemed necessary.

The selected consultant with be responsible for ensuring compliance with Proposition 218.

You are hereby invited to submit a proposal based upon the requirements and conditions set forth in this

RFP.

Mailing Instructions:

Ken Elwin, P.E.

Director of Public Works

City of Merced

1776 Grogan Avenue

Merced, CA 95341

Request for Proposals

Page 2

Inquiries:

Questions pertaining to the RFP should be directed in writing, no later than 72 hours prior to proposal

submission to:

Ken Elwin, Director of Public Works, phone number (209)385-6803, elwink@cityofmerced.org.

Proposal Submission:

Firms interested in submitting Proposals for the Rate Study Consulting Services shall submit the following

on or before the Submittal Deadline in a sealed envelope marked “City of Merced Solid Waste Collection

Rate Study Proposal”.

 One (1) original unbound Proposal marked “Original”,

 One (1) electronic version in PDF format, and

 Five (5) bound copies marked “Copy”

Fee:

One (1) copy of a separate Fee Proposal shall be submitted in a separate sealed envelope marked “Fee

Proposal for Solid Waste Collection Rate Study”.

Proposals may be submitted by U.S. Mail, or delivered in person to the City of Merced

Public Works Department no later than 4:00 p.m. on, Monday, March 18, 2024 and addressed to:

City of Merced

Attn: Ken Elwin, P.E.

Director of Public Works

1776 Grogan Avenue

Merced, CA 95341

Request for Proposals

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

City Overview ..............................................................................................................................4

Objective ......................................................................................................................................4

Scope of Work .............................................................................................................................4

City Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................5

Schedule .......................................................................................................................................6

Method of Compensation.............................................................................................................6

Special Issues and Requirements .................................................................................................6

Proposal Content ..........................................................................................................................7

Proposal Selection........................................................................................................................8

Consultant Selection Procedure ...................................................................................................8

Consultant Evaluation Criteria.....................................................................................................9

Protest Process .............................................................................................................................10

Public Record...............................................................................................................................11

Withdrawal of Proposals..............................................................................................................11

Request for Proposals

Page 4

CITY OVERVIEW

The City of Merced is a charter city located on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley, approximately 100-

miles south of Sacramento and 60-miles north of Fresno. With a population of approximately 90,000,

Merced is home to the University of California system’s newest campus-UC Merced. The campus is located

on 2,000 acres and is part of an 11,000-acre campus community, adjacent to the City of Merced. The City

is currently in the process of annexing the University into the City.

The City provides all solid waste services to citizens of Merced. This includes solid waste collection, green

waste collection, single-stream recyclable collection for both residential and now commercial business as

required by Assembly Bill (AB) 341. Solid waste collection includes residential, commercial, and industrial

collection, using automated, front-end loading, rear-end loading, and roll-off service. In addition to solid

waste collection services, street sweeping and street and subdivision tree maintenance activities are funded

through solid waste rates.

The City has approximately 19,500 (+ -) residential accounts and approximately 5,000 multi-family,

commercial and industrial accounts. Over the past two (2) years the housing market has been on a slow and

steady rebound. However, there are several approved tentative subdivisions currently, with the potential to

add an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 homes to Merced in the future. Additionally, there are several major retail

and business centers are in the development process that will add significantly to the commercial and

industrial collection programs, but development of those uses is also expected to take place gradually over

time.

Merced desires to increase total diversion through the use of recycling programs for multi-family,

commercial, and industrial programs. Approximately 65 schools and businesses currently recycle, and

construction and demolition is now accepted by our local landfill. The City is also wanting to account for

impacts as a result of the more recent Bills such as Assembly Bill (AB) 1826 and Senate Bill (SB) 1383.

The study should include a review of existing revenues, operating expenses, and non-operating revenues

(expenses) to determine if these allocations are generally conforming to standards adopted by voters of the

State of California with the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996.

OBJECTIVE

A 5-year solid waste rate and revenue program, which meets the projected needs of the City, including

additional labor and equipment to meet projected growth. The revenue program must reflect a rate structure

that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the City. The City desires an analysis of various rate options

over a five year planning period. This could include a single rate adjustment in rate year one that will satisfy

the revenue requirement over the planning period, annual rate adjustments, and/or periodic rate adjustments

and must include an evaluation of the sufficiency of the current rate structure to meet those needs.

SCOPE OF WORK

 Review current utility policies and procedures and regulatory requirements as they affect

operations, capital projects, revenue program requirements, and rate structures.

Request for Proposals

Page 5

 Review operating costs as a result of future growth of the City and potential expansion of

collection programs, such as commercial recycling and organics.

 Identify and summarize the City’s current rate structure, operating expenses, capital costs,

revenue streams, reserve funds, and billing program.

 Determine the sufficiency of the current rate structure to meet on-going needs, including a

projection of how long this may be the case.

 Review impact of projected new development on rates.

 Prepare a draft report for City review. Incorporate City comments in final report.

 Determine solid waste service charges.

 The Consultant will survey at least five other local government agencies that provide municipal

solid waste and recycling services to establish service/rate benchmarks. The list of agencies

will be conducted in collaboration with the City. The survey will include a review of cans or

carts, bin and drop boxes for residential, multi-family and commercial customers. The survey

will include an analysis, or any information, on how the jurisdictions are setting rates and

allocating revenues and expenses based on Proposition 218. The survey will also include other

questions the City identifies as valuable in comparing the refuse rate such as community size,

special pick up charges, disposal fees, governmental and regulator fees, and other services

(such as street sweeping) included in the rates.

 Prepare a user-friendly computer rate model and manual for City use. The model should be

capable of being used by the City to plan its capital improvements program and determine

impact fees and rates. Models should also provide flexibility to integrate City’s financial

system and to compute rates. Include a one-day training seminar for City staff.

 Prepare and deliver presentations designed to facilitate an understanding for the financing.

These presentations will be addressed to the public-at-large, developers, landowners, City

staff, and City Council. A minimum of six (6) meetings must be included in the proposal.

 Target adoption date of new rate and revenue program is January 1, 2025. Presentations to

Council, including Public Hearing(s) should be anticipated in fall of 2024. Study sessions

with Council may occur at several points during the study.

 Identify and summarize the City’s current rate structure, operating expenses, capital costs,

revenue streams, reserve funds, and billing program.

CITY RESPONSIBILITIES

The City will work cooperatively with the consultant(s), by: 1) providing the consultant with whatever

information is available regarding its requirements for the project; 2) examining project-related documents

submitted by the consultant and rendering decisions promptly to avoid unreasonable delay in the progress

of the consultant’s work; and, 3) furnishing information required of it as expeditiously as necessary for the

orderly progress of work.

This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

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RFP for Rate Study for Solid Waste Collection and Related Services NEW!

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