Public Works recommends Arcwood Environmental for household hazardous waste services; 1-year contract up to $295,000 proposed

County solid-waste staff recommended awarding the household hazardous waste (HHW) disposal contract to Arcwood Environmental (formerly Heritage Environmental Services) under RFP 2024-072 and asked the board to authorize a one-year contract, with four optional one-year renewals, at a cost not to exceed $295,000 for the initial term beginning June 1, 2025.

Trent Thompson, environmental program manager, presented the HHW program history and data: the county-operated HHW facility has served residents since 1993 and relocated to a new Overland Park facility in July 2023. Thompson said the program disposed of about 1,200,000 pounds of material last year from roughly 8,750 residential drop-offs and provided reuse and recycling services (48,000 pounds repurposed, 26,400 pounds of paint reblended and 70,000 pounds of oils/antifreeze/batteries/light bulbs/propane recycled). He said the facility is regulated by EPA, KDHE, DOT and OSHA and staff must maintain certified transporters and disposition at permitted facilities.

Five proposals were received; two finalists were interviewed and Arcwood ranked highest on evaluation criteria that included service methodology, firm experience, staff utilization and cost. Staff requested authorization to enter the contract and noted $54,000 of supplemental funding from a stormwater management source would offset costs. Commissioners praised staff and asked procedural questions about appointment availability and staffing; a commissioner asked to keep the item on action and to meet with staff prior to final action.

No final contract award is recorded in the agenda-review transcript; staff recommended the BOCC authorize the contract and follow procurement procedures.