Biosolids management services - Request for Information - SWC-WS2759929460-RFI

As Australia’s largest water utility, we have an obligation to improve the lives of our customers, communities and environment. We are working towards ensuring that no one is exploited in the provision of goods and services to or on behalf of Sydney Water; that we operate as a sustainable business; and continue to work with of our First Nations peoples to protect water and land; and to address inequalities.

From a procurement perspective this means:

• Eliminating the risk of Modern Slavery in our supply chain
• Becoming a Supply Nation member to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity
• Not harming the environment by sourcing recycled, reused or sustainable goods and services

We want to do business with people who share our values. When submitting your tender application please provide an overview of your enterprise’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.

The purpose of Procurement at Sydney Water is to get the goods, services and facilities it needs, when it needs them and for the right cost. Procurement is a key enabler and contributor to the success of our strategic objectives and fulfilling our vision to create a better life through world-class water services. As our customers reply on us for reliable, high quality services at affordable prices, we partner with an extensive range of suppliers to help us create thriving, liveable and sustainable cities. It’s crucial that we undertake procurement activities ethically and equitably to ensure that the best commercial outcomes are achieved in line with our organisational values and statutory obligations

*** THIS IS NOT A TENDER - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY *** 

Sydney Water is seeking information from the market to understand market capability, appetite and offering for the provision of the following two services: 

A.) Collection and transport of biosolids, and;
B.) Compost and land application of biosolids. 

Respondents may respond to either one or both of the following forms which include questionnaires (please copy and paste the links below in your browser to access the forms). 

Please note: This market sounding process involves Sydney Water gathering information and insights only and is not a tender. Any reference to RFT, Tender or similar in this document is not applicable. Participation in the process will not influence any future procurement decisions by Sydney Water. Equally, non-participation in this market sounding will not exclude organisations from participating in future activities with Sydney Water. Also note, Sydney Water will treat information provided during this market sounding process in confidence.                                             

A) Collection and transport of biosolids:

PURPOSE

Sydney Water intends to use responses from this market sounding process to help inform our strategy for biosolids moving forward, and provide us with a better understanding of the overall value chain for biosolids. As part of the process, Sydney Water may look to arrange one-on-one discussion in seeking information about capability, appetite and offering in relation to biosolids.                                                                                        

OVERVIEW

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A TENDER

Sydney Water is seeking to understand market capability, appetite and offering in the collection and transport of biosolids.

Sydney Water’s Biosolids Program currently produces about 180,000 tonnes of biosolids every year from seventeen treatment plants across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra. Sydney Water is seeking feedback from suppliers with experience and/or capability to service any combination of, or all seventeen, Sydney Water treatment plants. The collection and transport of biosolids is required every weekday and very occasionally on weekends and public holidays. A combination of semi-trailers and truck and dogs are needed to service the treatment plants and transport biosolids to various locations in Greater Sydney and central western NSW.

Seven treatment plants require semi-trailers and six of these plants require a trailer hire arrangement where trailers are left on site for about 5-10 days while they are filled. One treatment plant loads biosolids into a semi-trailer from hoppers.

Three plants require a front-end loader to load truck and dog combinations. Six plants have automated loading of biosolids via hoppers and generally require truck and dog combinations.  Most biosolids are generally trucked to central western NSW (locations can be as close as Bathurst or as far as Forbes), normally within a 12-hour round trip.

Please note: This market sounding process involves Sydney Water gathering information and insights only; it is not a tender nor a prequalification process. Participation in the process will not influence any future procurement decisions by Sydney Water. Equally, non-participation in this market sounding will not exclude organisations from participating in future activities with Sydney Water. Also note, Sydney Water will treat information provided during this market sounding process in confidence.

PREREQUISITES TO ENGAGING IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE

There are Sydney Water restrictions and minimum requirements in accordance with NSW EPA Biosolids Guidelines to be considered as part of this market sounding.

These include:

1. For health reasons, all trucks, trailers and dogs must not transport grain or foodstuffs once biosolids transport has begun
2. All semi-trailers and truck and dog combinations must have a tarpaulin system that is fully sealed to prevent odour and spills (biosolids are generally 80% water), however baffles are not required. This tarpaulin system must be a safe ground operated system and be approved by Sydney Water
3. Truck and trailer doors must be fully sealed to prevent leaks and extra grain locks are needed for this reason
4. Some treatment plants have specific routes to and from the plant that must be followed. School curfews also apply at some plants. Collection times for biosolids are generally between 7am and 3pm
5. Capability to use Share Point for the timely input of load data (e.g. date, weights, weighbridge docket, destination, plant etc.)

Please see the link to the questionnaire for Collection and Transport of Biosolids below: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XLtRg5105E6xxHGjlxrL6XsYbORM5Y9Ci6nKSmk1Rh1UMEVaR1gxVzNSR1VHV0Y4SDYzSkpGVzdYRS4u

B) Compost and land application of biosolids

PURPOSE

Sydney Water intends to use responses from this market sounding to help inform our strategy for biosolids moving forward and provide us with a better understanding of the overall value chain for biosolids.

As part of the process, Sydney Water may look to arrange one-on-one discussion in seeking information about capability, appetite and offering in relation to biosolids.

OVERVIEW

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A TENDER

Sydney Water is seeking to understand market capability, appetite and offering in the composting and land application of biosolids.

Sydney Water’s Biosolids Program consists of three main elements:

1. Collection and Transport
2. Composting and Land Application, and;
3. Stakeholder Engagement

Some elements of Stakeholder Engagement are not included in this market sounding. (Stakeholder Engagement includes assessment and allocation of appropriate land application sites, preparation of Biosolids Application Reports, soil testing, commercial arrangements with agronomists and end-use customers, and community engagement activities).

Sydney Water’s Biosolids Program currently produces about 180,000 tonnes of biosolids every year from seventeen treatment plants across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra. All Sydney Water biosolids are beneficially used in land application (75%) at farms in central western NSW (as close as Bathurst and as far as Forbes), and composting (25%).  A working knowledge of the NSW EPA Biosolids Guidelines is a mandatory requirement for this element of Sydney Water’s Biosolids Program.

During wet weather, it is essential to have appropriate hardstand storage for biosolids. These hardstands must comply with EPA regulations.

This Market Sounding questionnaire seeks information from businesses that have experience and/or capability to service any combination (quantity and/or quality of biosolids) of composting and/or land application of Sydney Water biosolids.

Please note: This market sounding process involves Sydney Water gathering information and insights only; it is not a tender nor a prequalification process. Participation in the process will not influence any future procurement decisions by Sydney Water. Equally, non-participation in this market sounding will not exclude organisations from participating in future activities with Sydney Water. Also note, Sydney Water will treat information provided during this market sounding process in confidence.

Please see the link to the Composting and Land Application of Biosolids form below: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XLtRg5105E6xxHGjlxrL6XsYbORM5Y9Ci6nKSmk1Rh1URFYxMUJWMVo4MkUxWDlGVTQxSk9BSUZYRi4u

NSW Regions: Cumberland/Prospect, Nepean, Northern Sydney, Inner West, South East Sydney, South West Sydney, Illawarra

Invitation To Respond - This is not a tender. The system is being used for invitation for public response to information published on, or accessible through, this website. Examples would include EIS, discussion papers, requests for information, registrations for position appointments, etc.

Please see the link to the questionnaire for Collection and Transport of Biosolids form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XLtRg5105E6xxHGjlxrL6XsYbORM5Y9Ci6nKSmk1Rh1UMEVaR1gxVzNSR1VHV0Y4SDYzSkpGVzdYRS4u

Please see the link to the Composting and Land Application of Biosolids form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XLtRg5105E6xxHGjlxrL6XsYbORM5Y9Ci6nKSmk1Rh1URFYxMUJWMVo4MkUxWDlGVTQxSk9BSUZYRi4u 

No