Title
Interim Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Infrastructure Contractor Selection
Action
ACTION:
Authorize the County Manager, or designee, to negotiate and execute a contract with Ground Thunder Construction, Inc. for the Interim MRF infrastructure construction in the amount of $4,750,750.25
Staff Contact: Jeffrey Smithberger, Director, Solid Waste
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The construction work that will be performed with this project is an integral part of work planned to ensure that recyclables continue to be processed in Mecklenburg County and is part of LUESA’s Strategic Plan.
The Interim Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) will be the recycling processing facility for the Mecklenburg region during the retrofit of the main MRF on Amble Drive.
In support of the main MRF retrofit, the Solid Waste Division is developing an Interim MRF to process the single stream recyclables normally received and processed at the Metrolina MRF during the retrofit downtime.
The Interim MRF will be repurposed, after completion of the main MRF retrofit, to be utilized to recycle construction and demolition materials. The re-use of this system is revolutionary for the industry and will accelerate Mecklenburg County’s ability to divert additional materials from landfilling.
This Interim MRF infrastructure project is for the site construction work associated with the facility including excavation and backfill; grading; utility construction; scale installation; erosion and sedimentation control; concrete and asphalt pavement; concrete footings and foundations; electrical and lighting; and landscaping.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Division issued a formal Invitation to Bid (ITB) on December 20, 2023, for the construction of the Interim MRF infrastructure project. The ITB was posted on the North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal Sealed and shared with the Business Diversity and Inclusion (BDI) group.
Sealed bids were received on January 26, 2024 at LUESA’s office building at 2145 Suttle Ave until the advertised deadline of 2 pm. Four bids were submitted by the deadline from general contractors.
The bids were publicly opened and read aloud in LUESA’s Wood conference room. All bidders provided the required documentation with their bids. As opened and read aloud, the four bidders are ranked, according to Total Bid amount.
County staff and the consulting engineer (CDM Smith) have reviewed the bids for mathematical accuracy, responsiveness, and compliance with BDI requirements. Ground Thunder intends to utilize Minority/Women owned businesses for 41% of the bid amount.
After adjustments for mathematical errors identified in contractor’s bids, the final ranking for the submitted bids is as follows:
• Ground Thunder Construction, Inc. - $4,750,750.25
• J.M. Cope, Inc. - $5,008,003.35
• AVM Contractors, LLC - $5,211,588.70
• Hoss Contracting, Inc. - $5,421,780.00
The Solid Waste Division recommends that a construction contract be awarded to Ground Thunder Construction, Inc. in the amount of $4,750,750.25 (which includes a 5% contingency of $226,226.20) to complete the Interim MRF infrastructure construction work.
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
This project will be fully funded by the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. Funding exists in Fund 8901 UNIT IMRF to fully encumber the total project cost of $4,750,750.25.