Johnson County Wastewater recommends renewing locating contract with USIC; commissioners request follow‑up on negotiations

Johnson County Wastewater staff recommended awarding a locating contract to USIC Locating Services LLC to perform utility locating for the consolidated main sewer district at a cost not to exceed $2,000,000 for a one‑year term with the option to renew annually for four additional one‑year terms.

Susan Pekarek, representing Wastewater, said funding for the contract is included in the department’s operating budget. Purchasing issued a request for proposals and received two proposals; a committee composed of Johnson County Wastewater staff and representatives from the City of Olathe scored the firms. Pekarek said the highest‑ranked firm (Firm A) submitted a cost proposal the county could not negotiate to the anticipated level, so negotiations shifted to USIC, the current contractor. "We were able to negotiate a price with [USIC] and we do recommend awarding a contract with them," Pekarek said.

Pekarek explained the contract is not a lump sum; USIC will be paid per locate ticket (Pekarek cited a standard price ticket of $12.52). She said using an in‑house locator team would require roughly 15.5 staff members plus vehicles and equipment and would take time to stand up. Commissioners asked for additional detail on the ranking disparity and the negotiation steps; Commissioner Ashcraft requested an off‑dais briefing. The board agreed to keep the item on action for the next week to allow follow‑up discussions.