Notice of Intent to Enter Into a Single Source Contract and Request for Information and Capabilities for Operating and Maintaining the Biosolids Processing Facility

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County is issuing a Notice of Intent to Enter Into a Single Source Contract and Request for Information and Capabilities (RFIC) for long-term operation, maintenance, biosolids product marketing, and related services at the Biosolids Processing Facility located at Palm Beach Renewable Energy Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, with responses due September 16, 2026. This is not a competitive solicitation; the Authority will use responses to determine whether a single-source contract with the proposed vendor is appropriate and reserves the right to reject all responses or initiate a competitive solicitation if respondents demonstrate equivalent capabilities.

The Authority has identified New England Fertilizer Company (NEFCO), a Synagro Company (Baltimore, Maryland), as the proposed single-source vendor based on its extensive historical knowledge of the BPF, current operation under the existing Operations and Maintenance Agreement through August 8, 2029, demonstrated technical qualifications in rotary-drum thermal convection drying technology, and experience marketing Class AA biosolids products.

The facility consists of two rotary-drum thermal convection drying trains processing biosolids from six regional wastewater utility partners into Class AA granular pelletized fertilizer. Maximum processing capacity is 189,000 wet tons per year (approximately 520 wet tons per day); historical throughput ranges from 115,000 to 143,000 wet tons annually. Services include facility operation and maintenance, management of varying sludge types from multiple sources, development and implementation of a long-term rehabilitation and capital investment plan, Title V Air Operation Permit compliance, and operation of landfill gas and natural gas fuel systems.

The estimated annual contract value is approximately $5 million in 2026, excluding utility passthrough costs, with a proposed term of twenty years commencing August 9, 2029. Prospective vendors must demonstrate operations and maintenance experience with at least three biosolids treatment facilities exceeding 300 wet tons per day capacity; experience operating three facilities using rotary drum thermal convection drying technology; experience receiving biosolids from multiple wastewater treatment facilities with varying sludge characteristics; regulatory compliance experience with Title V Air Operation Permits and 40 CFR Part 503; capital investment planning and refurbishment experience; product marketing experience with Class AA biosolids in Florida; and financial capacity to support a $5 million annual contract, including ability to obtain a guarantor with at least $20 million net worth and payment and performance bonding of at least $2 million. No subcontracting is permitted.