TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BLUFFS

AND TOWNSHIP OF CHATSWORTH

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP-XXXXX
PROVISIONS FOR BIOGRID DIGESTER OPERATING PARTNER

The Township of Georgian Bluffs and the Township of Chatsworth (Townships) are seeking Proposals
from an interested operating partner to:
a.

Operate the BIOGRID facility

b.

Treat septage and sewage from the Townships prior to land application

c.

Utilize available BIOGRID Digester capacity to accept additional feedstock to generate revenues
for both the Townships and the operating partner

It is the intent of the Townships to ensure an equal opportunity for qualified individuals and firms.
Mandatory Site Meeting: A mandatory briefing and site visit has been scheduled for July 10, 2015 at
10:00 am. The pre-tour briefing will be held at the Township of Georgian Bluffs Municipal Office,
177964 Grey Road 18, Georgian Bluffs, Ontario. Failure to attend the site visit may result in
disqualification of any submitted Proposal.
Voluntary Site Visits: The Townships will make the Site available to Bidders for further inspection upon
request. Site visits must be completed prior to the deadline for questions.
Deadline for Questions: August 10, 2015 at 4:00 pm. All questions must be in writing.
Closing date for the acceptance of proposals is Month, Day, Year at X:00 p.m.

Late Proposals will not be accepted.

Highest or any Proposal will not necessarily be accepted and is conditional upon the acceptance of the
Treasurer and the Finance Committee of the Township of Georgian Bluffs.
Accepted Proposals will be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible after (e.g. closing
time), at (e.g. Municipal Office, 177964 Grey Road 18, Georgian Bluffs).
The Townships thank all interested parties for their Proposals. Written notification will be provided to
all Bidders once a decision has been made by the Townships.
Name
Position
BIOGRID Joint Board
Phone: 519-376-2729 Ext. #
Name of contact@georgianbluffs.on.ca
Dated Month Day, Year

Table of Contents

1.0 General Information

1.1

Definitions

"Addenda" and "Addendum" means a document containing additional information or

changes to the RFP issued by the Townships prior to Closing Date.
"Agreement" and "Contract" mean any written contract between the Townships and a
Contractor, or any Purchase Order issued by the Townships to the Contractor, with
respect to any services contemplated by this RFP, and shall be deemed to include the
terms and conditions for the provision of the services as set out in this RFP.
"BioGRID" and "BioGRID Digester" and "Digester" and "BioDigester" and "Anaerobic
Digester" means the Anaerobic Digestion vessel.
"Anaerobic Digestion" means the controlled biological conversion of organic materials
in the absence of molecular oxygen to produce Biogas, liquid Effluent, and a solid,
partially stabilized organic material which, after dewatering, becomes Digester Solids.
"Anaerobic Digestion System" means the electrical and the mechanical equipment
involved in the controlled biological conversion of organic materials at the BIOGRID
plant as further defined in this RFP.
"Bidder" means a legal entity, being a person, partnership, firm or consortium that
submits a Proposal in response this RFP.
"Biogas" means a combustible gas composed primarily of carbon dioxide and methane
resulting from Anaerobic Digestion.
BIOGRID Joint Board means _______
"Closing Date" means the specified deadline for Proposals to be submitted to the
Townships as indicated in the RFP and any subsequent Addenda.
"Confidential Information" means any information which may be provided by The
Township of Georgian Bluffs and The Township of Chatsworth (whether oral, written or
computerized) and which is identified orally or in writing to the Bidder as being information
of a "confidential", "restricted" or "protected" nature and shall include any excerpts of or
copies made of such information and any notes made from the review of such information
by the Bidder. If the Bidder is in doubt whether certain information is Confidential
Information, it shall treat such information as Confidential Information until advised by the
Townships that it is not Confidential Information.

"Contractor" means the Successful Bidder with whom the Townships enter into an
Agreement.
"Digestate" means the mixture of liquid and solid material undergoing Anaerobic
Digestion.
"Environmental Compliance Approval" and "ECA" mean an approval issued by the
MOECC under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), and includes a Certificate of
Approval issued under the EPA prior to October 31, 2011.
"MOECC" means the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
"Successful Bidder" means the Bidder whose Proposal, as determined by the
Townships through the evaluation analysis described in the RFP, provides the best
overall value in meeting the Townships' requirements, and may be recommended for
award.
"Proposal" means an offer submitted by a Bidder in response this RFP, which includes
all of the documentation necessary to satisfy the submission requirements of this RFP.
"RFP" means this Request for Proposal package in its entirety, inclusive of all
Appendices and any bulletins or Addenda that may be issued by the Townships.
"Septage" means ____________
"Sewage" means ______________
"Site" means the BIOGRID site located at 062111 Sideroad 3, Georgian Bluffs (Lot 4,
Concession 6, former Township of Derby, County of Grey).
"Townships" means the Township of Georgian Bluffs and the Township of Chatsworth
"Services" means the services and deliverables to be supplied or provided by the
Bidder as described in this RFP.
"Works" means the Proposed Works and Existing Works as defined in ECA Number
2206-8KSQZV dated August 23, 2011, which is attached as Appendix X.
1.2

Interpretation

In this RFP and in the Agreement, unless the context otherwise necessitates,

a reference to any Act, bylaw, rule or regulation or to a provision thereof shall be

deemed to include a reference to any Act, bylaw, rule or regulation or provision
enacted in substitution thereof or amendment thereof;

all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars and are to be secured and payable
in Canadian dollars;

any words and abbreviations which have well-known professional, technical or trade
meanings, are used in accordance with such recognized meanings;

all index and reference numbers in the RFP or any related document are given for
the convenience of Bidders and such must be taken only as a general guide to the
items referred to. It must not be assumed that such numbering is the only reference
to each item. The documents as a whole must be fully read in detail for each item.

1.3

Assessment of Proposals

The Proposals received by the BIOGRID Joint Board will be considered primarily but
not limited to the following criteria:

Experience operating an anaerobic digester and municipal sewage lagoon

Experience procuring and managing feedstock for an anaerobic digester or other

organic materials processing facility (e.g. composting facility)

Proposed revenue sharing arrangement

1.4

BIOGRID Joint Board Contact

Name, Position, 519-376-2729 Ext. #

1.5

Proposals

The highest or any Proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

Proposals will be disqualified unless:
(a) Submitted on the printed proposal form(s)
(b) Signed in ink with an authorized signature
(c) The dollar value is legible
(d) Submitted in strict accordance with the requirements of the Proposal documents
1.6

Acceptance of Proposal

The Townships reserve the right to accept any Proposal which it deems to be in its own
interest or to reject all Proposals.

The Townships reserve the right to reject Proposals from parties who are unwilling or
unable to provide evidence that they are capable of providing the necessary expertise,
equipment, insurance and adequate staff for the performance of the work, and the
provision of the services herein contemplated. Evidence of such competency and
experience must be submitted with the Proposal.
1.7

Tax

H.S.T. and R.S.T. should be noted, where applicable.

1.8

Termination

If the Successful Bidder fails to fulfil their obligations under this Proposal or in any way
does not abide by the terms and conditions of the Proposal, the Townships may terminate
the contract for any reason whatsoever with a 15 day notice from the Townships in writing
to the Successful Bidder.
1.9

Facsimile Bids

Facsimile bid submissions will not be accepted.

1.10

Confidential Information

All Confidential Information, as defined in Section 1.1, shall be held by the Bidder in the
strictest confidence.
1.11

Proprietary Information

If any portion of the Proposal contains or involves any propriety right(s), the Bidder
must clearly identify any and all such portions of the Proposal and set forth in an
Appendix to the Proposal, the complete basis for the Bidder's assertion of such
proprietary rights, including but not limited to, identifying the person and/or entity who
owns such rights.
1.12

Proposal Expiry Date

All Proposals shall remain open for acceptance by the Townships for a period of not less
than one hundred and eighty (180) days from the closing date for the receipt of
Proposals.
1.13

Modified Proposals

In the event that a preferred Proposal does not entirely meet the requirements of the
Townships, the Townships reserve the right to enter into negotiations with the selected
bidder/s to arrive at a mutually satisfactory arrangement with respect to any modifications
to the Proposal.
1.14

Conflict Of Interest

a)

Bidders shall disclose to the Townships prior to awarding of the contract any
potential conflict of interest. If such a conflict of interest does exist, the Townships

b)

may, at their discretion, withhold award of the contract/s until the matter is suitably
resolved.
Bidders will upon request, provide all pertinent information regarding ownership of
their company. This information is to be supplied within forty-eight (48) hours after
request.

1.15

Litigation

No submission will be accepted from any person or corporation who, or which, has a
claim or instituted a legal proceeding against the Townships against whom the
Townships have a claim or has instituted a legal proceeding with respect to any
previous contract, without prior approval.
1.16

Compensation for Service

The selected Bidder will be required to sign a contract for services with the Townships.
The Bidder will state in their bid if any other payments or costs will be payable by the
Townships regarding the provision of services to the Townships.
1.17

Asset Protection

The Contractor will be a steward of the Works on the Townships' behalf and will
accept, preserve and return the facilities in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement between it and the Townships. At a minimum, it is intended that the
facilities will be maintained to an acceptable standard of care and will be returned to
the Townships in as good or better condition than their condition at the start of the
Agreement, normal wear and tear excepted.
1.18

Effective Management

The Townships require a level of service that is at least commensurate with that
currently provided and which complies with all applicable provincial legislation and
regulations in effect at the time of Proposal submission, and as amended from time to
time. It is intended that the Successful Bidder will demonstrate its ability to exceed
these minimum expectations, enhance the performance of the facilities, demonstrate
efficiency and reduce costs while delivering the services in the manner suggested in
this RFP. It is also intended that this level of service would be maintained throughout
the term of the Agreement and through any transition period to any future provider of
the services.
The Successful Bidder will assume responsibilities for the position of Overall
Responsible Operator (ORO) and Operator in Charge (OIC) for the wastewater
services as detailed in O.Reg 129/04 Sec 15 & 17.
1.19

Insurance

1.19.1 The Contractor shall take out and keep in force the following insurance policies
during and until completion of Services:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

All Risks (including flood and earthquake) Property Insurance in an amount equal
to one hundred (100%) percent of the full replacement cost, insuring;
i.
the Premises (including the building); The policy will name the Townships
as a named insured, First Mortgagee and Loss Payee per Standard
Mortgage Clause and will contain a Waiver of Subrogation in favour of the
Townships;
ii.
all property owned by Contractor or for which Contractor is legally liable or
installed by or on behalf of Contractor or located on the Premises including,
without limitation, leasehold improvements, trade fixtures and chattels,
furniture, stock, office equipment, equipment, fixtures, contents, and any
other buildings and structures erected on the Premises, with coverage
against all risks of physical damage;
iii.
business Interruption insurance in an amount sufficient to cover any rental
obligations to the Townships;
iv.
extra expense insurance in such amounts as will reimburse the Contractor
for extra expense incurred arising out of prevention of access to the
Premises; and
v.
coverage for contingent liability from the enforcement of building bylaws
including the demolition and replacement of undamaged portions of the
buildings or structures and increased costs of construction.
Boiler & Machinery Insurance for the repair and replacement of boilers, pressure
vessels, air-conditioning equipment and miscellaneous electrical apparatus on a
standard comprehensive coverage basis in an amount equal to one hundred
(100%) percent of the full replacement cost. The Property and Boiler and
Machinery policies shall contain provisions for settling joint loss disputes with
property and boiler & machinery insurers. The policy will name the Townships as a
named insured, First Mortgagee and Loss Payee per Standard Mortgage Clause
and will contain a Waiver of Subrogation in favour of the Townships;
Comprehensive General Liability Insurance including the Owner's (Townships)
and Contractors protective, products liability, completed operations liability, bodily
injury, personal injury, incidental medical malpractice, employer's liability, blanket
contractual liability, occurrence property damage, and provisions for cross liability
and severability of interests with limits of not less than five million dollars
($5,000,000.00) per occurrence; The Townships are to be named as additional
insured;
Contractors Pollution Liability Insurance with limits of not less than five million
dollars ($5,000,000) each occurrence. The term of the policy shall correspond to
the term of the Agreement and extensions to the terms Agreement. If the
insurance is on a "claims made" basis, it shall have an extended reporting period
of at least an additional 36 months beyond the expiry date of the Agreement for or
extensions to the terms of the Agreement, with the retroactive date to be held
constant with the date of this Agreement. The Townships should be named as
additional insured on this policy.
Contractors Pollution Liability Insurance coverage should include;
i.
Bodily injury, including physical injury, sickness, disease, mental anguish,
emotional distress or shock sustained by any person, including death
resulting there from;

ii.

f)
g)

Property damage including physical damage to or destruction of natural

resources and other tangible property including the resulting loss of use
thereof and diminution in value thereof or the loss of use of natural
resources and other tangible property that has not been physically
damaged or destroyed, but not diminution in value thereof;
iii.
Remediation costs which are reasonable and necessary costs to
investigate, neutralize, remove, remediate (including associated monitoring)
or dispose of soil, surface water, groundwater or other contamination; to the
extent required by environmental laws; that have been actually incurred by
a governmental entity pursuant to environmental laws; or that have been
incurred by third parties;
iv.
remediation costs should include;
1) restorations which are reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the
insured with our consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, to restore, repair or replace real or personal property to
substantially the same condition it was in prior to being damaged during
work performed in the course of incurring remediation costs. However,
such restoration costs shall not exceed the appraised market value of
such property immediately prior to incurring remediation costs or include
costs associated with improvements or betterments; and
2) defence, including costs, charges and expenses incurred in the
investigation, adjustment or defence of claims for such compensatory
damages.
Standard Owner's Automobile Liability Insurance with limits of not less than five
million dollars ($5,000,000.00) per occurrence in respect of any one accident; and
Such other forms of insurance as the Treasurer and Financial Committee of the
Townships, acting reasonably, may require from time to time, in amounts and for
risks against which a prudent Contractor would insure.

1.19.2 General Insurance Terms and Conditions:

a)

b)
c)

d)

e)

Notice of Cancellation or Material Change: Each policy shall contain an

endorsement requiring the insurer(s) to notify the Townships in writing, by
registered mail, at least thirty (30) days, (fifteen (15) days if cancellation is due to
non-payment of premium), prior to any cancellation or material change to the
Contractor's insurance;
Approval of Insurers: All policies taken out by the Contractor shall be placed with an
Insurance Company licensed to write in the Province of Ontario;
Primary Coverage: The insurance policies required pursuant to this clause shall be
primary and shall not call into contribution any insurance available to the
Townships;
Evidence of Insurance: The original Townships Certificates of Insurance signed by
the insurer or an authorized agent of the insurer must be delivered to the
Townships prior to the commencement of the Agreement; the Contractor shall
provide original signed Certificates evidencing renewals or replacements to the
Townships prior to the expiration date of the original policies, without notice or
request by the Townships;
Deductibles: The Contractor agrees that the insurance policies may be subject to

f)

g)

1.20

reasonable deductible amounts, which deductible amounts shall be borne entirely

by the Contractor;
Breach of Conditions: Each policy will contain a waiver in favour of the Townships
of any breach of a policy condition or warranty such that the insurance policy in
question will not be invalidated in respect of the interest of the Townships by
reason of a breach of any condition or warranty contained in such policies;
Limits of Insurance: The Townships, acting reasonably, may require the limits of
the insurance policies provided by Contractor to be increased from time to time.
The Contractor shall cause the limits of its insurance on its physical assets located
on the Premises to be adjusted for inflation from time to time; and
Reliance on Information Provided

The Bidder is to confirm on-Site to their own satisfaction, both the accuracy of the
information provided in the Townships' RFP and the current Site conditions prior to
submission of a Proposal. Bidders cannot rely solely on any information provided by the
Townships.

2.0 Project Overview

The Townships own and currently operate the BIOGRID anaerobic digestion system on
the existing municipal sewage lagoon site in Georgian Bluffs. The facility is located at
062111 Sideroad 3, Georgian Bluffs (Lot 4, Concession 6, former Township of Derby,
County of Grey). The BIOGRID plant commenced operation in February 2011. The
municipal sewage lagoons have been in operation since the early 1980s.
A background information package will be made available for interested Bidders on a
CD at the Township of Georgian Bluffs office. The information package will include
reports pertaining to the construction of the BIOGRID facility, annual financial
information, and other information pertaining to the BIOGRID facility.
2.1

BIOGRID Plant Overview

The BIOGRID (Bio Green Renewable Industrial Digester) plant is an Anaerobic

Digester which can accept sanitary wastewater (septage from holding tanks or septic
tanks); fats-oils-grease; and other select organic waste materials, in accordance with
Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) Environmental
Compliance (ECA) number 2206-8KSQZV dated August 23, 2011; included as
Appendix X.
This green energy project digests the organic materials, generating biogas, which is
used to run a generator and produce electrical power. The BIOGRID plant includes
septage screening and dewatering, a pasteurizer, Anaerobic Digester, biogas storage,
biogas generator, digestate storage, associated piping, roadways, and a
pumphouse/operations center.

Figure 1: Overview of the BIOGRID Process

Located at the site of the existing Derby Wastewater Treatment system, the BIOGRID
system was added inline within the headworks portion of the existing wastewater
system, to screen-out and process solids within the received septage wastewater
materials, and to allow additional waste materials to be accepted for processing.
Feedstocks to the biodigester are pre-processed onsite, and then input to the digester
unit to anaerobically breakdown, creating a methane-based biogas and liquid digestate
output products.
The biogas is used to operate an onsite engine that generates electricity, is metered,
and then input to the local utility electrical grid as a revenue source; waste heat from
the engine is used within the pre-processing system and to warm the digester. When
the engine is unavailable, a backup boiler system is in place to take the digester biogas
and generate heat for the process. Excess heat is transferred to atmosphere through a
radiator coil.
Screened septage liquids are directed to the original wastewater system (aerated and
facultative lagoon cells, subsequently spray-irrigated for disposal). The output
digestate goes to a holding tank, and is sent to farm fields as a soil amendment
material during favourable application periods. The digestate is currently managed as
a Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) under the Nutrient Management Act.

The BIOGRID plant is currently maintained by one operator on an "as needed basis";
and the lagoons are managed by Veolia Canada. Employees working at the Site must
licensed by MOECC as (minimum) Class I Wastewater Treatment Operators.
The following sections detail each process element/unit of the BIOGRID plant and
wastewater treatment system. Additional figures and drawings of the facility from
previous reports are provided in Appendix X.
2.2

Sewage Lagoon and Disposal System

The original Township of Georgian Bluffs "Derby Lagoons" system has a design report
and construction drawings dated 1980 and was initially permitted under ECA Number
2665-5NZHHS dated August 25, 2003. Within the original permit it has a rated
capacity of 57.5-m3/day (5 days per week), a sewage/septage receiving station, an inlet
sewer line, a 3,300-m3 aerated lagoon cell, two 5-hp aeration blowers, a 22,500-m3
facultative lagoon cell, one 10-hp effluent transfer pump, and an onsite 9,410 m2
contained granular spray irrigation area for seasonal disposal of effluent from the
lagoon.
These original treatment and disposal elements remain in operation; the BIOGRID
system, which was commissioned during early 2011, was installed as a stand-alone
parallel process adjacent to the existing sewer line between the sewage/septage
receiving station and the aerated-cell. Sewage/septage deliveries are now normally
diverted through the BIOGRID pre-processing system and the bypass that allow direct
flow to the aerated-cell is normally closed.
2.3

BIOGRID Process

The BioGRID system has three primary input points where wastewater and organic
materials can be introduced into the process:
1. The dewatering system receives diverted sewage/septage deliveries previously
directed to the aerated-cell, and other sources of septage/sewage that are
available.
2. The pasteurization system receives specific deliveries of fats-oils-grease, and
also other organic products that are available that may require pasteurization.
3. The hydrolyzer system receives specific deliveries of waste organics that have a
higher solid mass or fibrous content, and can also receive wastewater liquids
that do not require dewatering or pasteurizing.
Details of the above sub-systems are presented below.

2.3.1 Receiving -- Wastewater Headworks

Wastewater holding tank and septic tank pump-outs are normally delivered to the
unloading station located adjacent to the municipal road outside the perimeter fencing
of the facility, allowing deliveries to be received 24/7. The unloading station is a
below-grade concrete chamber, approximately 1.5-m deep and 1.0 x 1.0-m inside
dimensions (roughly 1.5-m3 or 400-USG capacity), complete with a 150-mm outlet pipe
and a lockable fabricated metal cover.
There is an operator control panel adjacent to the unloading station chamber, to allow
delivery personnel to interface with the dewatering system (i.e., volume recording and
billing management via card control, which will also start/stop the process controller).
The outlet pipe from the unloading station transfers wastewater to a secondary
below-grade concrete chamber (installed in conjunction with the BIOGRID system),
where unloading can also be performed and where bar screens are installed to remove
oversize materials from the influent stream. This chamber is somewhat larger and can
provide some temporary buffer storage, but is not designed to be an interim holding
tank; all flows exit the chamber by gravity after passing through the bar screen. The
bar screen is manually cleaned, and is reported to have 9-mm spacing.
From the bar screen, wastewater flows into a diversion chamber (manhole), where flow
is either diverted through an open-valve to the dewatering system (normal operations),
or the flow can by-pass the dewatering outlet through a normally closed valve, and
makes its way to the aerated lagoon cell.
2.3.2 Process Building -- Dewatering System
Wastewater from the diversion chamber flows through a 200-mm pipe into the Process
Building, passes through a magnetic flow meter, and flows into a mixing tank where
polymer is added, prior to entering a drum separator for dewatering; the drum
separator has a rated capacity of 1.42-m3/min (85.2-m3/hr or 375-US.gpm). There is a
polymer chemical tote tank in a secondary containment sump, a polymer transfer
pump, and a diluted polymer injection pump, with outlet piping directed to the mixing
tank.
Screened liquids from the drum separator flow by gravity through a 200-mm pipe to a
manhole located outside of the Process Building, and from there to the aerated lagoon
cell. Dewatered septage is pushed by spiral auger-flights along the rotating drum to
the outlet end, where it exits through a discharge pipe.
Dewatered septage can then be directed through transfer pumps (or bypassed), with
discharge directed to either the digester (normal operations), or the hydrolyzer tank.

Each of the two dewatered septage transfer pumps is rated for 454-L/min (27.2-m3/hr
or 120-US.gpm); designed to be one primary unit and one standby.
Recent operations at the BioGRID have been directing influent wastewater through the
drum screen at a rate in excess of the design loading rate, with partially dewatered
septage sent direct to the hydrolyzer tank; transfer pumps are not in operation and it
appears that the screened liquids volume being directed to the aerated lagoon cell
might be less than design, due to the excess loading rate to the drum screen.
Wastewater deliveries are being made at rates in excess of the dewatering design
capacity, as delivery staff want to dump their loads quickly. Transfer pumps cannot
keep up with the resulting delivery rate of screened/retained materials, as there is
insufficient inline storage prior to the dewatering unit; some valve-throttling of influent is
done just before the dewatering system, but excessive throttling creates backups with
potential overflows at the bar-screen chamber, so this action has limited effective
results. The hydrolyzer tank is the first point where inflow buffering capacity is
available, and it is currently being utilized for this purpose; the excess loading of the
drum screen is a result of allowing delivery staff to dump their loads quickly to
encourage their participation in the BIOGRID program.
2.3.3 Receiving -- Pasteurization System
Similar to the wastewater headworks, there is an unloading station for the receipt of
materials that are to be pasteurized. Unloading from delivery vehicles is directly into a
buried (flush-with-grade) covered 50-m3 (13,200-USG) concrete holding tank. Liquids
in this tank are transferred by pump to the second-floor level of the Process Building,
where they are batch-processed in a 2-m3 pasteurizer tank. From the pasteurizer tank,
outflow can be directed to the digester or the hydrolyzer. Hot water from the biogas
engine/boiler system (approximately 80-deg.C) is used to heat the pasteurizer (for one
hour at 70-deg.C).
Adjacent to the pasteurization system is a central ventilation system, which collects
headspace tankage-air from various points in the facility, draws the air through an
odour removal unit canister-type filter, and then discharges the air through a sidewall
vent to the outdoor atmosphere. This is a low-volume process, with a 100-mm
diameter outlet pipe.
2.3.4 Receiving -- Hydrolyzer System
Similar to the other receiving points onsite, there is an unloading station for the input of
materials to the hydrolyzer tank. The hydrolyzer is a buried (flush-with-grade) covered
100-m3 (26,400-USG) concrete holding tank, complete with a "loading chute". The

tank is partially insulated, and is heated/warmed utilizing hot water from the
engine/boiler system.
Inputs such as corn stover, corn silage, wheat straw, canola straw, grain seed
by-products, aquatic plants, fruit/vegetable wastes, manure, greenhouse and nursery
or flower shop wastes, grass clippings, yard waste, plant-based processing wastes,
food processing waste/byproducts, many source separated organic ("SSO") wastes,
and several other similar materials can be processed in this tank, including
screened/clear liquid wastes that do not require dewatering. Liquids can be added as
necessary to make the mixture more fluid; there is an option to direct outputs from the
dewatering system and from the pasteurization system into the hydrolyzer tank.
Within the hydrolyzer tank, materials are blended and conditioned prior to transferring
into the digester. There is a transfer/feed pump to move the hydrolyzer product into the
digester.
2.3.5 Receiving -- Agricultural Products Storage Area
Inputs to the BioGRID process are primarily various wastes from the surrounding area,
delivered on a regular basis. During periods when there are minimal deliveries (often
in winter), or when insufficient feedstocks are received that generate optimal biogas
volumes, the hydrolyzer can be supplemented with various agricultural products that
are stored onsite for this purpose.
There are two level-graded areas where products can be stored, the permitted storage
areas are 28.5 x 21-m and 30 x 13-m (approximately 988-sq.m total), both are gravel
bed areas that can be used to store loose or baled agricultural products for utilization in
the process.
2.3.6 Anaerobic Digester
The digester, designed by CH Four Biogas, has a diameter of approximately 16.0-m, a
working depth of about 5.2-m, a design operating volume of 1,000-m3, a freeboard
depth above the working liquid depth, with biogas storage above liquid level. Inlet,
outlet, and overflow of liquids from the tank is controlled to retain biogas in the
headspace, outlet from the tank is by gravity flow to digestate storage. There are two
propeller mixers submerged in the tank, which can be manually adjusted for elevation,
angle, and direction.
The biogas is retained in the digester above the liquid level utilizing a
rubber-membrane and netting system, which can rise and fall with changing gas
volume; poles across the tank are used to keep the dome from collapsing into the
liquid.

The digester tank is warmed with waste hot-water from the engine/boiler system, and is
maintained at a controlled set point temperature to ensure optimal biogas production.
This unit operates in the "mesophilic" temperature range, between 25 and 45C.
The design basis for the 1000-m3 digester is 4-kg.VS (volatile solids) per cubic meter of
digester, a maximum of 40-m3/day septage at 4-percent total solids, and a min/max
throughput rate of 20- to 45-m3/day (including supplemental organic materials); this
design basis was established by CH Four Biogas, a partner in the project design and
construction.
2.3.7 Digestate Storage
Digestate is transferred to storage on an ongoing basis as the digester is filled with
fresh material. The original digestate holding tank has a diameter of approximately
14.0-m, a working depth of about 5.6-m, and a design operating volume of 854-m3. A
second digestate holding tank was permitted for construction 6-months after
commissioning of the original process, having a diameter of approximately 43.6-m, a
working depth of about 3.8-m, and a design operating volume of 5,630-m3.
Together, the digestate tanks have a total design working capacity of 6,484-m3, with a
total storage capacity of approximately 4.5 to 10.5-months (based on a min/max
throughput rate of 20- to 45-m3/day).
2.3.8 Biogas Utilization
Biogas is cooled in a series of below-ground pipes, and is then utilized by a 6-cylinder
engine to operate a generator and produce electricity. The generator is rated for up to
100-kW/hr of single phase output power providing revenue from Hydro One, paying
approximately $0.1658/kWh (indexed FIT Contract rate). The engine is permitted by
ECA Number 9930-8AFH7R (issued December 15, 2010) for discharging the products
of combustion into the atmosphere at a maximum volumetric rate of 0.037-actual.m3/s
(133-m3/hr or 78-cfm), through a 150-mm diameter stack.
When the engine/generator is not available, biogas can be directed to a hot water
boiler that has a matched consumption capacity; there is no flaring system installed at
this site. The hot water boiler acts as a secondary gas burning facility.
The engine jacket is cooled using a closed-loop water recirculation system; delivering
waste heat at approximately 80-degrees Celsius to be utilized in the process
(pasteurization, hydrolyzer tank, and digester tank); and when not available, the boiler
supplies the heated water. Excess heat energy is discharged to atmosphere through a
radiator system (and more so when electricity is not being generated).

2.3.9 Process Control

Various portions of the system operations are automatically monitored and logged on
an ongoing basis by a process logic controller (PLC), which also automates various
ongoing operational events given specifically programmed setpoint conditions. Other
aspects of system operations are manually monitored and recorded on a regular basis
by the operator.
Process alarm conditions are logged, and critical events create an alarm notification to
an operator on call. Internet connectivity is provided by point-to-point wireless
communication (microwave or similar); process status and control is available to
operators through a secure web-interface.
2.4

Process Reporting

Regular inspection and data-log reporting is completed on a daily basis, with summary
reports on system operations made monthly and annually by the operator, Mr. Troy
Unruh.
2.5

Current Feedstock Materials

Insert details of current feedstock materials, including sources of existing additional

feedstock materials and the chemistry of the septage/sewage.

3.0 Scope of Work

The scope of work for the Contractor shall be to operate the Works and for a base
period of approximately 15 years from the effective date with an option to extend the
Agreement for an additional 5 years at the sole discretion of the Townships. The
Contractor shall be responsible for all operation and maintenance of the Works and the
Site.
The Contractor shall be responsible for sourcing any required additional feedstock and
generating revenues to cover the Contractors and Townships capital expenditures,
operating costs, overhead and profit. Existing revenue sources including from the
electricity sales from the 100kW generator and tip fees from septage/sewage will be
shared between the Contractor and Townships in a manner proposed by the Bidder in
their Proposal and agreed to by the Townships.
Contract Start Date
Base Contract End Date: May 2, 2031
Optional Extension End Date: May 2, 2036

3.1

Mandatory Requirements

Operate and maintain the Works per the conditions of this RFP and the agreement
with the Townships.

Accept all septage and sewage generated within the Townships up to a maximum
of 14,600 cubic meters (m3) received annually and 57.5 m3 daily.

Comply with terms and conditions as stipulated in the ECAs and any future
amendments to the ECAs for the Works

Comply with regulations, laws, and standards pertinent to this work, whether
expressly identified in this RFP or not.

The Townships shall have access to the Site at all times for inspection and
monitoring purposes.

3.2

Site Infrastructure

Modifications to the site plan shall be in compliance with Township of Georgian

Bluffs bylaws with all necessary approvals obtained in writing from the Township of
Georgian Bluffs prior to construction.

It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to finance, install, operate, and

maintain any and all new infrastructure required.

Upgrades to existing infrastructure are the responsibility of the Contractor to

finance, install, operate, and maintain.

Site upgrades, including site servicing, for new infrastructure is the responsibility of
the Contractor to finance, install, operate, and maintain.

Capital and maintenance costs for new infrastructure shall be the responsibility of
the Contractor. Bidders should base their financial model on a pay down period of
20 years. The Townships will have the option to buy-out new equipment at the end
of the 15 year contract term. Should the contract term be extended to 20 years, the
Townships shall own all equipment at the site.

The Bidder shall be responsible for performing required site, building and
equipment condition assessments during the RFP stage. The Townships will
endeavor to provide access to the site to facilitate required assessments so long as
the assessments do not impact the Townships' ability to receive and process
organic materials.

3.3

Site Operation and Maintenance

The Works shall be operated and maintained as per the design, and operation and
maintenance manual requirements for the equipment.

The Contractor shall continue to accept and treat all septage and sewage during
any and all modifications to the Works.

Property maintenance, including but limited to landscaping and snow removal, shall
be the responsibility of the Contractor.

As required by the ECA, the Contractor shall provide for the overall operation of the
Works with an operator who has sufficient knowledge in the operation of small
sewage lagoon treatment and spray irrigation systems or holds a licence that is
applicable to that type of facility and that is of the same class as or higher than the
class of the facility in accordance with Ontario Regulation 129/04.

Any testing required by the Contractor, including but limited to testing required by
the ECA, is the responsibility of the Contractor.

The Townships will expect the Contractor to employ a computerized maintenance

management system to control and document all maintenance activities such as;
preventative, scheduled and emergency maintenance. The Contractor will make
maintenance records available to the Townships for review upon request.

Expendable supplies and spare parts, which are on hand on the date of the
commencement of the contract, shall be inventoried for review and agreement by
the Townships. The Successful Bidder shall assume responsibility for such
inventory and at the end of the contract period, the inventory shall be returned to
the Townships with a value equal to the beginning value, less normal wear and tear.

3.4

Additional Feedstock

The Contractor shall source additional feedstock to the septage and sewage
provided by the Townships.

Only materials listed in the ECA may be accepted at the Site.

Materials not listed in the ECA will require an amendment to the ECA. Approval
from the Townships is required to accept any materials not already approved in the
ECA. The Contractor shall be responsible for preparing the amendment application
and all associated costs. The Township of Georgian Bluffs will submit the ECA
amendment application to the MOECC.

Capital, operating, and maintenance costs for existing and new infrastructure shall
be the responsibility of the Contractor.

Feedstock accepted and processed at the Site shall be compatible with existing and
new equipment and infrastructure.

The pre-processing equipment and infrastructure shall be compatible and suitable

for the feedstock that is accepted and processed at the Site.

3.5

Effluent

No feedstock shall be permitted to be directly fed into the aeration cell and
facultative lagoon, including septage and sewage, without prior approval from the
Townships.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the marketing and disposal of digestate and
residuals generated from the Site.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the handling of biogas generated by the
BIOGRID plant.

3.6

Reporting Requirement

Copies of the operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals must be provided to the
Townships for new and/or replaced equipment at the end of the contract term.

The Contractor shall prepare the annual reports for the MOECC, as required by the
ECA, and shall submit to the Townships for review and approval prior to submitting
to the MOECC. The Township of Georgian Bluffs shall submit the annual report to
the MOECC.

The Contractor shall provide an annual report to the Townships that includes a
summary of quantities of inputs and outputs, maintenance activities performed,
copies of operator logs, and laboratory data.

The Contractor shall provide 4 weeks for Townships review of all reports and
submitted information.

The Contractor shall provide a monthly report of the quantities of feedstock received
at the BIOGRID plant and quantities of biogas, effluent and digestate delivered from
the Site or irrigated.

3.7

Transition

Transition costs are the responsibility of the Contractor

The Contractor is to develop both the initial and end transition plans for review and
approval by the Townships.

3.8

Responsibilities of the Townships

Delivery of the septage and sewage to the Site

Submission of permit applications prepared by the Contractor

Assistance in the planning of public consultation activities required for approval

applications or amendments.

Providing information as required in aid of the development of public consultation

materials (e.g. flyers, advertisements, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.)

Participation at public consultation events

Townships staff will provide assistance to the Contractor by reviewing submitted

documents within four (4) weeks of receipt.

Make available record drawings and manuals to support the operation of the
BIOGRID facility.

Provide available operational data to support the operation of the BIOGRID facility.

4.0 Response Requirements and Format

Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a concise
description of the Bidder's offer.
All assumptions by the Bidder must be clearly stated in their Proposal.
4.1

Proposal Content

4.1.1 Bidder Profile

(Suggested limit of 3 pages per consortium member)

Overview of the Bidder firm(s) and history (date company started)

Products and/or services offered

Total number of employees, organization, and ability to deliver and support the
Services over the period of the Contract

Major clients

Health and Safety policy

Confirmation that the Bidder can provide the required insurance for this project

If the Bidder firms are a consortium, a description of the relationships between

consortium members and clearly identify the primary Bidder, the main point of
contact, and establish previous working relationship of consortium members

4.1.2 Bidder's Qualifications

(Suggested limit of 5 pages per consortium member)

Description of the Bidder's experience and capabilities relevant to managing the

operations of the Works

Key project personnel and their roles

List a minimum of two references with contact names, telephone numbers, and
email addresses, preferably municipal or public entities, who may be contacted by
the Townships.

Information is to be provided for the Bidder as well as every key subcontractor or other
legal entity apart from the Bidder.
In providing references, Bidders agree that the Townships can contact the individuals
provided as part of the evaluation process.
4.1.3 Proposed Approach to Operations and Feedstock Procurement
(Suggested limit of 6 pages)
Provide details of the Bidder's approach to be taken for the operation of the Works
including:

Key elements of the operations plan including methodology and work plan,
addressing digestate and residuals management and/or disposal

Identification of expected parties required for operations and their roles

Organization structure for on-site management and communication

List of proposed feedstocks to be processed at the BIOGRID plant, including details

on the status and length of agreements with generators, and pre-processing
requirements

List of information required from the Townships

4.1.4 Proposed Modifications to the BIOGRID Plant

Suggested limit of 6 pages
Provide details of the Bidder's proposed modifications to the Works including:

Figure illustrating proposed changes to the facility layout

Detailed description of proposed feedstocks and required pre-processing equipment

Detailed description of proposed equipment and infrastructure, including equipment

specification sheets for key equipment

Process flow diagram and detailed mass balance

Detailed description of all nuisance controls (i.e., odour, noise, traffic, etc.)

Details of the permits required

Capital cost estimates

4.1.5 Transition Plan

Suggested limit of 6 pages
Each Bidder should prepare and submit a Transition Plan with two parts. The first part
(the "Initial Transition Plan") will deal with transition issues associated with the Bidder
commencing operation of the BIOGRID plant as of the effective date. The Townships
expect this period to last approximately four (4) weeks from May 1, 2015 to June 1,
2015.
The second part (the "Ending Transition Plan") shall deal with transition issues
associated with the Bidder ceasing to operate the facilities upon the termination of the
Agreement.
The Initial Transition Plan shall address the following issues in addition to any other
issues identified by the Bidder:

Execution of the Agreement;

Transition time table;
Conduct initial condition survey;
Issues that the Bidder will deal with during the transition period;
Issues that the Townships will deal with during the transition period;
Cost to Townships and requirements for staff resources to deal with issues;
Issues relating to immediate implementation of suggested improvements; and
Procurement policies (e.g. contracts for digestate handling, chemicals,
utilities, etc.).

The Ending Transition Plan should further identify any other issues that would
be required to be addressed in order to ensure the smooth transition back to the
Townships or to a new Contractor upon termination of the Agreement including, without
limitation, staffing issues and the licensing or transfer of any software, designs, or
processes used at the BIOGRID plant.
4.1.6 Schedule
Provide a schedule that:

Is a detailed critical path schedule that includes milestone dates for significant
activities, including any capital upgrades and feedstock procurement timelines
Includes a detailed Gantt Chart showing start dates, durations, and dependencies
for activities from start of operations contract including design, construction, and
commissioning of any proposed expansions to the Works
Includes contract start date

4.2
Proposed Revenues
The Bidder is required to complete and submit their proposed revenue sharing
arrangement for the services on Form X provided in Appendix __ as part of their
Proposal.
Revenue items on the forms must be filled-in; in the case of a zero revenue or a
revenue source that is not shared with the Townships, a zero value should be used as
a place holder. The revenues stated by the Bidder on the forms must be based on the
information provided within this RFP.
The revenues and Proposal provided herein forms the basis for the Townships to
negotiate with a Successful Bidder. All Contractor costs are to be built into the revenue
sharing arrangement.
4.3
Additional Forms
The following forms, found in Appendix X, must be included with the Proposal
submission:

RFP Notice Form

5.0 Evaluation of Proposals

5.1

Evaluation Process

The Townships will carry out the evaluation of the Proposals by an Evaluation Team
consisting of the BIOGRID Joint Board and staff from the Townships. Engineering
consultants and legal advisors may also be utilized for respective expertise/technical
support if required. The evaluation will be on a points scoring of the criteria as outlined
below.
By responding to this RFP, Bidders will be deemed to have agreed that the decision of
the Townships will be final and binding.
The Proposal of the Bidder that, at the absolute discretion of the Townships, provides
the best value in satisfying the Townships' requirements for the Services may be
designated as the Successful Bidder. No obligation arises until the Agreement, based
on this RFP and the accepted Proposal, are negotiated and executed. The relevant
terms, text, and content of this RFP, RFP addenda, and Successful Bidder's Proposal,

will be incorporated into the Agreement, subject to negotiation and award by

Townships respective Councils.
The Successful Bidder will have the opportunity to negotiate an agreement with the
Townships. If the Townships cannot conclude an agreement with the Successful
Bidder, other Bidders may be asked to begin negotiations.
All submitted Proposals shall become the property of the Townships but shall not be
used for the purposes of the services unless the Bidder is the Successful Bidder.

6.2
Mandatory Criteria
The following are mandatory criteria for services required under this RFP. Proposals
that do not meet the mandatory criteria requirements will be rejected and returned to
the Bidder:
a)

Proposal must be received at the closing location by the specified closing date
and time

b)

Attended mandatory site meeting

c)

Contains completed and signed RFP Notice (found in Appendix X)

6.3
Proposal Evaluation
If all the mandatory criteria requirements are met, the Proposal will be evaluated both
technically and by the proposed Adjusted Township Annual Revenue. RFP responses
will be evaluated on how well the Proposal submissions meet with the RFP
requirements. The following weightings will be generally used when scoring the
Proposal.
Proposal Evaluation
Rated Requirements
1
2

Bidder's Profile and Qualifications

Approach to Operations, Feedstock Procurement,
BIOGRID modifications and Transition Plan
3 Adjusted Township Annual Revenue
Total Score

Maximum
Score

Bidder's
Score

25
25
50
100

Should an interview be scheduled, the interview will be used to review /refine / revise
assigned Proposal scores.

Bidder must score a minimum of 37.5 out of 50.0 points on the rated requirements
items 1 and 2 in the Proposal Evaluation table above.
Proposals will be awarded points out of a possible 50 for the Adjusted Township
Annual Revenue amount based on the following formula:
Proposal score = Bidders Adjusted Township Annual Revenue highest Adjusted
Township Annual Revenue x 50 points
The Proposal that achieves the highest Total Score will be ranked first. In the event of
a tie Total Score (rounded to one decimal point), the Bidder achieving the highest score
for items 1 and 2 in the Proposal Evaluation table will be ranked first overall.

Appendices
Copy of current ECA
Copy of FIT Contract
Select site and facility drawings and figures
Septage/sewage and other feedstock data
Revenue Sharing Form
RFP Notice Form (below)
Sample Agreement? Does GB normally provide one? Do we want to ask the
Successful Bidder to provide one?

TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BLUFFS

AND TOWNSHIP OF CHATSWORTH
RFP-XXXXX
Notice
This page must be signed and returned by the Bidder with your Proposal. Failure to do
so may result in the disqualification of your Tender.
The Bidder agrees that this RFP is made without any connection, comparison of figures
or arrangements with, or knowledge of, any other corporation, firm or person making a
tender for the same work and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud.
Proposals are prepared by the Townships as to what the Townships require for its
operations and with a common basis as much as possible for evaluating the bids.
The decision by the Townships shall be Final.
The Townships reserve the right to accept the Proposal that is most suitable to their
operation in the Townships' opinion.
The decision of the Townships will not be based on price alone and will include service,
past experience, references if any required and any other criteria that the Townships
deems relevant.
Any and all Proposals received shall become the property of the Township of Georgian
Bluffs and the Township of Chatsworth and will therefore become public information.

Name of Company:

Signature:

Date: