Subject:
Title
Ranking of firms and agreement with Bio-Tech Consulting, LLC and Quest Ecology, Inc. for environmental management services.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the ranking of firms and agreements with two firms - Bio-Tech Consulting, LLC and Quest Ecology, Inc. for environmental management services.
• This contract will provide for environmental services including environmental maintenance of County-owned facilities through chemical treatment and the manual or mechanical removal of undesirable aquatic and terrestrial plants across mitigation sites, wetlands, stormwater ponds, and natural areas.
• Five (5) proposals were received with a request to negotiate with top-ranked firms Bio-Tech Consulting, LLC and Quest Ecology, Inc, and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc (VHB).
• Negotiations with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. reached an impasse after the County and the vendor were unable to agree on several key issues. The County elected to end discussions with VHB and proceed with the remaining two firms.
• The Agreement term for each specified Vendor is for sixty (60) months with provisions for two additional twelve- month terms and a not to exceed value of $1,050,000.00 collectively between the two vendors.
• Funding for this contract is not specifically represented in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan or FY26 Operating Budget because the contract establishes a not to exceed value, with obligation occurring upon issuance of work order assignments (purchase orders). Funding is determined by the individual work order assignment sourced to the agreement, and actual expenditures are contingent upon work completed. The Department may appropriate the full not-to-exceed amount or less. Work orders will be funded by the Public Works Operating and Capital budget.
Contract No. 25-0628-RFP; estimated annual amount of $210,000.00, 5-year NTE collectively is $1,050,000.00.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management
Summary:
This contract will provide for environmental services including environmental maintenance of County-owned facilities through chemical treatment and the manual or mechanical removal of undesirable aquatic and terrestrial plants across mitigation sites, wetlands, stormwater ponds, and natural areas.
Background/Explanation:
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on June 30, 2025, resulting in five (5) responsive proposals. An evaluation meeting commenced on September 3, 2025, with the committee recommending award to top-ranked firms Bio-Tech Consulting, LLC and Quest Ecology, Inc. Negotiation of final agreement was completed on November 24, 2025.
Fiscal Impact:
Estimated total contract expenditure not to exceed: $1,050,000.00
Estimated annual expenditure not to exceed: $210,000.00
Funding for this contract is not specifically represented in the FY26-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan or FY26 Operating Budget because the contract establishes a not to exceed value, with obligation occurring upon issuance of work order assignments (purchase orders). Funding is determined by the individual work order assignment sourced to the agreement, and actual expenditures are contingent upon work completed. The Department may appropriate the full not-to-exceed amount or less. Work orders will be funded by the Public Works Operating and Capital budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-188.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Merry Celeste, Purchasing Division Director, Office of Management & Budget
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Bio-Tech Consulting, LLC Agreement
Quest Ecology, Inc. Agreement
Final Evaluation Ranking