At a meeting yesterday, the county council voted to ask staff to move forward with negotiations with Cimarron Trucking Company and Orcas Recycling Services to provide the services requested in the request for proposal to run the Orcas transfer station.

Background

In July, the Vendor Selection Committee released a report on the Orcas Island solid waste transfer station, stating that both bidders, Cimarron Trucking Company and Orcas Recycling Services, operator of the Exchange, had proposals that were lacking information.

“However, the VSC has initially determined that Cimarron is the best qualified … with the proviso that prior to entering contract negotiations … Cimarron modify its proposal to address key inadequacies,” read the report.

But at a July 24 council meeting, Cimarron and ORS were both asked to clarify problems and inadequacies in their  proposals. And the committee scheduled a meeting on Aug. 17 to discuss follow-up questions and whether they should change the original recommendation.

Among the 17 questions for Cimarron, key topics included how they would incorporate the Exchange and improve communication. ORS was asked 15 questions on such topics as: experience, the business model and start-up funds.

At the Friday meeting, the committee –   consisting of councilwoman Patty Miller, Russ Harvey of solid waste, Jeff Strothers and Lisa Byers of Orcas Island – discussed how the county could enter a contract with both bidders.

Cimarron proposed that they would run the solid waste portion and ORS could handle recycling and the Exchange. Miller said it “seems like a logical split.” ORS proposed that they would manage all on-site operations and Cimarron run the long-haul trailer service and equipment, and the disposal, delivery of garbage and recyclables to end points on the mainland.

Overall, committee members stated they had hoped for more clarification from both parties in their proposals.  The committee did not come to consensus.

Two members suggested splitting the services, one member recommended moving forward with ORS, and another recommended Cimarron.