DWSD Cancels Biosolids RFP, Plans March 15-16, 2012 Biosolids Management Symposium (UPDATED)

Following her announcement (here) that DWSD was terminating its RFP for Contract PC-781, Director Sue McCormick has outlined plans for a 2-day Biosolids Management Symposium to be held on March 15-16th. The objective of this event is to "gather industry information to optimize the re-procurement of PC-781."

DWSD plans to invite two participants each from large wastewater utilities, academia,  national industry experts, and local representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Board of Water Commissioners. DWSD plans to invite several (wholesale) customer representatives, as identified by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), to participate as well. 

DWSD will be represented by at least four staff members including (presumably), Director McCormick.  The teams who submitted proposals last August, and any new teams or prospective bidders, would also be invited to attend. 

Among the subjects to be covered:

• Overview of DWSD WWTP processes, history, current conditions, regulatory compliance history
• Plant tour
• Overview of DWSD biosolids production history, needs and objectives for biosolids management
• Identification of technologies that may be appropriate for DWSD's needs
• Issues in contracting for biosolids management services
• Risks and risk mitigation strategies 

The symposium will be held at a hotel (TBD) near Metro Airport.

Update (2/27): I understand now that this symposium may not be a public event. If things change, I'll pass along any new information.


For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Detroit Biosolids Contract to be Re-Opened to allow Changes, New Proposers

During the Director's Oral Report at the January 11, 2012 Special Water Board Meeting, DWSD Director Sue McCormick reported that the Department has decided to reopen the submittal process for the biosolids contract (PC-781) for a period of 45 days, beginning January 18, 2012. 

The Director indicated that DWSD would allow new proposals, corrections to existing proposals, and permit teams to change or substitute their lineup based on recent decisions of the Water Board.

The Department will receive new and revised proposals by March 5, 2012. Existing teams will be contacted by the Department.  Look for additional details on DWSD's procurement page (here).

The Director also reported that DWSD will expand the evaluation committee to include representative from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. These representatives, who were not disclosed, will be required to sign confidentiality agreements and not have any connection to any of the proposing teams.  

For more about DWSD Update, click here.     

FOX 2 Detroit Questions DWSD Sludge Hauling Contract

FOX 2 Detroit has a new story raising questions about DWSD's sludge hauling contract with Bankston Construction. This contract was let following termination of the City's contract with Synagro in 2009, and before DWSD began soliciting contracts for a new BioSolids Management Services Contract (PC-781).

Detroit Sludge Hauling Deal Up to Snuff?: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Update: The Bankston contract was approved during the February 23, 2011 Water Board Meeting.  See, Approved Meeting Minutes (here) at pp. 22-23.

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

DWSD Receives a Dozen Proposals for New Biosolids Contract (PC-781)

At the conclusion of today's Water Board Meeting, Deputy Director Darryl Latimer reported that DWSD had received (and was currently evaluating) 12 responses to the Department's RFP for Biosolids Management Services (PC-781).

Responses to the RFP for Contract PC-781 were received on August 17, 2011 from the following teams:

• DTEES/NEFCO
• GeoEnvironment Technologies
• GreenGro Renewables, LLC
• Lakeshore Group
• Praxair, Inc.
• Terra Sync International, LLC (f/k/a American Biodiesel Resources, LLC) 
• Tooles Contracting
• Trinity Environmental Solutions, LLC
• Veolia Water
• ViTag Michigan, LLC
• Waste Management
• We Care Organics

There was no discussion about when a decision might be made about this project.

For more about DWSD Update, click here.