TO: The Solid Waste Disposal District Board of Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
FROM: Himanshu H. Mehta, PE, Managing Director, Solid Waste Disposal District
DATE: March 6, 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of Change Orders to SCS for the Landfill Gas Wellfield Project
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BACKGROUND
The Indian River County Landfill has a voluntary landfill gas collection system that needs periodic expansions to continue to capture the methane gas to reduce odors, reduce the risk of fires and to reduce it to the less harmful carbon dioxide via flaring in the short run, and ultimately facilitate the sale of the landfill gas to NoPetro EcoDistrict (NED) for its renewable natural gas (RNG) project.
On November 5, 2024, the SWDD Board approved to waive bid requirements and approve a Landfill Gas Wellfield Expansion Agreement with SCS Field Services in the amount of $486,050 with a contingency $73,950 for a total approval of $560,000 for the installation of 10 gas wells. The original cost of $486,050 consisted of two tasks: 1) Task 1 included drill rig mobilization and demobilization cost of $10,350 as well as the cost of the 10 vertical well installations at a unit price of $200 per foot with an estimated total of 1,015 linear feet for a cost of $203,000 and a total Task 1 cost of $213,350; 2) Task 2 included the vacuum, air and force main piping installation cost of $272,700.
In the interest of time and to keep the project moving, staff requested approval of two change orders via the County Administrator. The purpose of this agenda item is to obtain SWDD Board approval.
ANALYSIS
On February 20, 2025, at the request of staff, the County Administrator approved Change Order No. 1 to SCS in the amount of $107,200 for the extension of existing gas wells, for additional air/force main installation and to replace the dewatering pump and hardware. On March 20, 2025, at the request of staff, the County Administrator approved Change Order No. 2 to SCS in the amount of $18,873 for the extension of additional two gas wells. The total amount approved via these two change orders was $126,073.
In March 2025, SCS submitted a $197,550 invoice for Task 1 which included the $10,350 for drill rig mobilization and demobilization and only 936 linear feet of actual well depth for a cost of $187,200, for a savings/overall reduction of $15,800.
On May 9, 2025, SCS submitted both a $272,700 invoice for Task 2 and a $107,200 invoice for the work approved under Change Order No. 1. On May 27, 2025, SCS submitted an invoice for $18,873 for the work approved under Change Order No. 2. The overall project cost is $596,323, which is $36,323 more than the originally budgeted project (including contingency). SWDD staff is requesting the SWDD Board to approve the additional $36,323 to close out the project.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Additional funds, in the amount of $36,323, will be recorded in the SWDD/Accrued Closure - I, II & Infill account, number 411-239006. The LFG flare station and piping are considered a “closure activity,” and, as such, is funded from an escrow account long established per Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requirements.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
November 5, 2024 - Item 15.B.2 (File# 24-0873) - Agreement for Landfill Gas Wellfield Expansion Project
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff is recommending SWDD Board approval of the two change orders authorized by the County Administrator to SCS Feiled Services in the total amount of $126,073, and the total project cost of $596,323, which is $36,323 more than the originally budgeted project.