Approve agreement with SCS Field Services in the amount of $199,000 per fiscal year for on-call landfill gas system design, construction quality assurance, monitoring, maintenance and operation for a total compensation not to exceed $597,000 for the period of May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2025. (No general fund impact) (Echiburú/Borrego)

Landfill gas is generated in every landfill as part of the anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of solid waste and contains approximately 50 percent methane, which can be burned to generate power.  In 1985, the County entered into a Commercial Gas Production Agreement (Lease) related to the collection of methane generated by the Yolo County Central Landfill.  Under the Lease, the County granted rights to a third party to install, operate and maintain a landfill gas collection system; electrical power conversion system; and a transmission line to connect with the nearest commercial transmission line.  In exchange for the right to collect the methane from the landfill, the company was required to pay royalties to the County on sales of electricity. 
 
On April 26, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to purchase the landfill gas production rights, collection system, energy conversion system, and power transmission system from the third-party operator.  In January 2017 the agreement was finalized, the county took over full responsibility for operating the power generation facility and the landfill gas collection system and now receives all proceeds from the sale of electricity. 
 
The County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate the power generation facility and ultimately awarded a contract to Amaresco Inc. but opted to self-perform the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the landfill gas extraction system with County maintenance and environmental compliance staff.  Over the last several years, the landfill has seen a significant increase in its customer base and associated maintenance requirements, as well as continued increases in required environmental monitoring.  As a result, required landfill gas operation, maintenance, and monitoring cannot always be completed in a timely manner.  In 2018, The County approved agreements with SCS Field Services for landfill gas system support.  The current agreement expires on April 30, 2022.  Approval of this agreement will provide a resource to complete time sensitive work on an as-needed basis. 

The County issued an RFP (RFP No. FINARFPKK2208) to renew the type of services provided under the previous agreement.  Proposals were received from three different companies and after evaluation, the SCS Field Services proposal was rated highest.   

Due to other agreements that SCS Engineers (Parent company) has with the County, and the need for substantial annual expenditures, this agreement exceeds the Purchasing Agent’s authority to approve.  Approval of this agreement will provide a resource to complete time sensitive work on an as-needed basis.