GARBAGE COLLECTION

Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · 2026-09-10 · resolution

Legislative item File Number 261225 is a Resolution for a non-competitive designated purchase under Contract No. 6938-2/22 for Garbage Collection and Disposal Services. The item seeks to authorize an additional three years and $19,411,303.00 in expenditure authority, for a total modified cumulative amount of $81,897,586.00, for multiple County departments. The status is Deferred. The item was introduced on 7/6/2026. It was deferred at the Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee meetings on 7/15/2026 and 9/10/2026, with the latter deferral to the September 10, 2026 Committee meeting. The current contract term expires on May 31, 2028, with a cumulative allocation of $62,486,283. If approved, the contract would expire on May 31, 2031. The contract was awarded to Waste Connections of Florida, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. of Florida. The additional allocation requests by department are: HCD $6,500,000; PROS $6,500,000; MDCR $1,980,000; PIOD $1,436,000; WASD $1,701,525; Animal Services $172,224; Community Services $346,325; Cultural Affairs $75,011; Fire Rescue $45,000; Medical Examiner $4,600; Seaport $565,811; Transportation and Public Works $84,807. The extension is to allow the Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) time to transition services in-house. Public comment sentiment: Commissioner Cohen Higgins expressed concern about the magnitude of the request, the lack of a competitive procurement process, and the County's reliance on two vendors for waste hauling, asking why the County was not seeking to diversify providers. She moved to defer the item to allow the department to provide additional information. Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion and recommended a formal solicitation to confirm whether other providers were willing to bid. Commissioner Gonzalez agreed with the deferral, noting the in-house transition depended on factors like equipment purchases and the pilot outcome. Chairwoman Steinberg asked DSWM to provide its plan and a realistic timeline for bringing services in house. Ms. Uppal of the department stated the department would issue a formal Invitation to Bid to obtain pricing. The item was deferred to the September 10, 2026 Committee meeting.