Accept as complete the Waste Management Unit G Leachate Pond Improvements at the landfill, constructed by RJ Gordon Construction, Inc. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Kieffer)

Waste Management Unit G (WMU G) was originally constructed in 1996 as the landfill’s first lined leachate and liquid waste pond and is the primary receiving pond for the landfill’s liquid and septic waste customers.  As originally constructed, the exterior levees of WMU G were not high enough to protect the pond from the recently updated 100-year flood elevation.  Additionally, the WMU G containment structures were nearing the end of their useful life and needed replacement. 

The Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the plans and specifications, authorized the Director of the Division of Integrated Waste Management (Director) to make any design changes mandated by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board – Central Valley Region (Water Board) and authorized the division to advertise for competitive bids on May 21, 2019.  Due to delays receiving comments from the Water Board, project financing and staffing availability, the project was not advertised for bids until April 2022.  Three bids were received on June 9, 2022, with RJ Gordon Construction submitting the lowest responsive and responsible bid. Accepting and recording the Notice of Completion will allow final project close-out.

Construction began in August 2022 with a short construction schedule to minimize impacts to landfill operations and the many liquid waste customers the landfill serves.  An early completion bonus of $10,000 per day was also included in the specification to incentivize the contractor to complete the construction ahead of schedule.  RJ Gordon Construction did complete the project ahead of Schedule by 17 days, earning a bonus of $170,000.  This is included as Change Order 10.  The cost savings for the landfill and the ability to increase the amount of liquid waste received following this early completion offsets this bonus.  At the May 19, 2019, Board of Supervisors meeting the DIWM Director was authorized to approve all change orders up to the maximum allowable under state law.  In the case of this project, the maximum allowable is $260,301.56.  Several unanticipated issues arose during construction activities which resulted in the Director approving change orders totaling $239,414.25, thus nearing this limit.  Approval of Change Orders 9 and 10 will bring the total change order amount for the project to $491,710.03.  Change Order 9 represents work associated with field modifications to the grading, piping, and sump access point necessary for a complete and functional pond.  Change Order 10 is for the early completion bonus. 

In accordance with the project specifications, following approval of the Notice of Completion, County staff will issue a proposed final pay estimate to the contractor. The contractor will then have 30 days to approve said pay estimate or provide a written statement of all claims.  Staff does not anticipate any claims or issues with the proposed final pay estimate and project close-out. The final construction cost for the project, including approved change orders, is $5,326,329.49.

County Counsel was consulted on the early completion bonus calculation.

Approval of the construction is also required by the Water Board, which was received on January 9, 2023.

Bids Received