Award an agreement to RJ Gordon Construction, Inc. for the construction of the next landfill module, Waste Management Unit 7J (WMU 7J) and authorize the Director of the Division of Integrated Waste Management (DIWM) to execute the construction contract in the amount of $5,426,916.50; authorize the DIWM Director or her designee to approve change orders or amend the construction contract with RJ Gordon Construction consistent with the Public Contract Code's applicable change order limits, but not to exceed a cumulative total of $542,692; approve work proposal from SLR International to perform the Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) services for WMU 7J, not to exceed $409,414; authorize the DIWM Director or her designee to approve change orders or amendments to the SLR International work order, not to exceed a cumulative total of $41,000; and adopt budget resolution increasing the DIWM Budget for FY 2025-26 in the amount of $1,500,000. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Fieseler/Davis)

Prior to placement of waste in any Waste Management Unit (WMU), a containment system must first be constructed to protect groundwater below the landfill.   This containment system generally consists of layers of general soil fill, compacted clay, geomembrane (thick plastic), and drainage layers.  Construction of these new modules at the Yolo County Central Landfill (Landfill) requires significant amounts of soil (approximately 30,000 cubic yards per acre) due to the relatively shallow groundwater at the site.  Because of this, the overall project was split up into two phases. 

The first phase was limited to soil placement to construct the subgrade for the next module, which in some areas is up to 20-feet thick. This work was completed last fall and accepted as complete by the Board of Supervisors on March 24, 2026.

The second phase of the project includes placement of the compacted clay liner, geomembrane (thick plastic) and drainage layers.  The plans and specifications were prepared by WSP, Inc. under an agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors on December 15, 2020, and in accordance with the requirements set forth in Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations.   Construction of the project will begin in late spring and will be completed by the fall of 2026.

This second phase of the project was advertised for bids, with a total of seven (7) bids received on March 5, 2026.  RJ Gordon Construction provided the lowest responsive and responsible bid.  Exhibits to the RJ Gordon agreement (Att. A) are on file with the Clerk of the Board.

Construction of all new landfill modules must be inspected by an independent, third-party CQA firm that is tasked to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications and must complete a certification report to be submitted to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board).  Water Board approval of this certification report is a required step prior to placing waste in the module.  On February 10, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved agreements with multiple firms to provide on-call engineering design and CQA services to the division.  Staff requested proposals and cost estimates from three of these firms, Geologic Associates, SLR International, and SWT Engineering.  Proposals and cost estimates were received from Geologic Associates and SLR International for this specific CQA work related to WMU 7J construction.  SWT Engineering declined to provide a proposal due to insufficient staffing.  Staff reviewed the two proposals and cost estimates and are recommending SLR International perform the CQA services for this module.  The on-call engineering agreements require Board approval if the cost estimate exceeds $300,000.  The proposal from SLR came in at $409,414, and thus Board of Supervisors approval is required for SLR International to perform this work. 

While the engineer's estimate for the second phase of the project was $6,597,933, which included a 20 percent contingency, the bid process resulted in a slightly lower total project amount of $6,512,300.  The attached budget resolution increases the division’s 2025-2026 budget by $1,500,000 to begin construction of WMU 7J this fiscal year.  The division's proposed 2026-2027 budget includes the balance of the funds necessary to complete this construction project in the amount of $5,012,300.

This project continues our regional support and commitment to managing waste on behalf of each of our local jurisdictions, which includes City of Davis, City of Winters, City of West Sacramento, City of Woodland, Unincorporated Yolo County, Cache Creek Casino (Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation) and UC Davis.  In 2025, the Landfill accepted and managed 173,026 tons of waste.  A typical WMU will take approximately five years to fill before Division of Integrated Waste Management staff initiates this process again.    

County Counsel has approved the agreements as to form.

The Division of Integrated Waste Management worked with the Procurement Division on the bidding and award of these agreements.