SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Contract Award: 25P-014 Solid Waste Alternative Waste Management Methods (Transfer Station Services) - Friends Recycling, LLC, Ocala, FL (Budget Impact - Neutral; estimated expenditure of $500,000)
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Susan Olsen, Director |
Procurement Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On behalf of Solid Waste, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide disposal solutions to Marion County. The County sought proposals addressing three separate items including: use of a transfer station, Class III disposal and Class I disposal. Three (3) firms submitted proposals. Each proposal was responsive to their respective business operations, which were evaluated and ranked by the Selection Committee members: Mark Johnson - Solid Waste, John Corneilson - Utilities, and Sky Wheeler - Tourist Development. Of the proposals, GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC (GFL) and Friends Recycling LLC (Friends) provided proposals for both the use of a transfer station and Class III disposal. Waste Connections was the only proposer for Class I disposal.
At its June 17, 2025 meeting, the Board approved the initial contract with GFL for the receiving, loading and transportation of delivered waste to the Heart of Florida (HOF) landfill. Negotiations with the second vendor, Friends, have since concluded. The Solid Waste Department now recommends awarding a second contract for transfer station use to Friends. Under the proposed agreement, Friends will provide transfer station services for both Class I and Class III solid waste materials delivered by Marion County at a fixed rate of $8.00 per ton. The transfer station facility is located within six (6) miles of the Marion County Courthouse and will be equipped with certified scales to weigh incoming loads from County collection vehicles and, if applicable, from the public. Friends will be responsible for receiving and loading Class I and Class III materials. Materials will be loaded into transfer trailers to a minimum of 22 tons per load, for final transportation and disposal by the County or a third-party hauler, as elected by the County. The facility’s hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The initial contract term is three years, effective through June 30, 2028, with the option to renew for up to three additional one-year terms.
Solid Waste recommends establishing multiple contracts for the use of transfer stations to enhance system reliability and operational flexibility. These contracts will help maintain adequate capacity during planned repairs or maintenance at the existing transfer station. They will also provide essential redundancy and ensure continuity of service in the event of emergencies. Furthermore, access to additional transfer stations will support the diversion of bulky, lightweight materials-such as furniture and mattresses-that can create operational difficulties. Securing this extra capacity will also enable continued waste diversion as our primary facility nears its operational limits.
Attached for review is the draft contract for Friends Recycling LLC. Upon approval at today’s meeting, it will be forwarded to Friends for signatures. Once returned, it will be sent to Legal, the Clerk and Chairman for signatures.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; estimated annual expenditure of $500,000. Annual expenditure will not exceed approved FY budgeted amounts without being brought back to the Board
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve and allow staff to issue, and upon approval from Legal, authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute the contract under 25P-014.
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