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Thurston County moves reconfiguration project into progressive design‑build procurement; staff outlines safety and schedule considerations
Summary
County staff said the reconfiguration project has PRC approval and the county posted an RFQ for a progressive design‑build delivery; staff emphasized early contractor involvement to protect safety and business continuity while construction occurs at the active transfer station.
Thurston County staff told its Solid Waste Advisory Committee that the county has received Project Review Committee approval and is moving the transfer‑station reconfiguration project forward using a progressive design‑build procurement method.
Matt Samuelson, the county presenter, said the RFQ was posted and advertised, and staff expect multiple qualified design‑build teams to respond. The procurement plan calls for shortlisting the top firms, issuing an RFP to the shortlisted teams and awarding a contract—staff said they anticipate awarding a design‑build contract by late August 2026. Design and construction are expected to proceed into the end of 2028.
Samuelson described other capital work under consideration: refurbishing an existing compactor rather than buying new (staff said refurbishment could yield substantial savings largely from steel‑cost reductions), completed security and fire‑alarm replacements, and lower‑priority office space painting and fixture upgrades. A new South County transfer‑station project remains in the capital plan but is on hold pending reconfiguration and siting decisions.
Committee members pressed staff on operations and safety because the site must remain open during construction. Samuelson and county operations representatives said safety planning is a priority; progressive design‑build enables early contractor involvement and phasing that integrates contractor, designer and operations staff input early in design to reduce risk, maintain business continuity, and address traffic and customer‑flow changes. Representatives from local haulers emphasized that their crews can stop work immediately if they identify unsafe conditions.
Members asked whether the siting of the planned South County facility has been finalized; staff said siting remains undecided and that Rochester remains one option but no final determination has been made.
Staffers said additional project budget refinements and vendor engagement are under way; they invited committee members to follow procurement milestones and expected to return with more detailed plans and safety measures as the selected design‑builder develops project design and phasing plans.
