Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 261096

Printable PDF Format

File Number: 261096

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted as amended

Version: 0

Reference:

Control: County Commission

File Name: DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL MONITORING SERVICES

Introduced: 6/15/2026

Requester: Strategic Procurement

Cost:

Final Action: 6/16/2026

Agenda Date: 6/16/2026

Agenda Item Number: 8P4

Notes:

SEE 261254 FOR FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED. ALSO SEE 260739

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD CONTRACT NO. EVN0016781, DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL MONITORING SERVICES, TO THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC IN AN AMOUNT CONSISTENT WITH THE PRICING OF ITS PROPOSAL FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR TERM AND ONE, FIVE-YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FOR MULTIPLE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT WITH THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF SAME, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38 [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 260739]

Indexes:

NONE

Sponsors:

NONE

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	6/16/2026	8P4	Amended
REPORT:	Commissioner Regalado moved to adopt the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Steinberg, and upon being put to a vote, passed by 7-3 (Chairman Rodriguez and Commissioners Lopez and Milian Orbis voted "no"; Senator Garcia and Commissioners Cohen Higgins and Hardemon were absent). The amended version of this resolution will be assigned Resolution No. R-542-26.

Office of the Chairperson	6/15/2026		Additions

Carladenise Edwards	6/15/2026		Assigned	Office of Agenda Coordination

Office of Agenda Coordination	6/15/2026		Assigned	County Attorney	7/21/2026
REPORT:	SPD - David S. Hope - no sponsor - Attachments: Evalution Process, Contract - item has 52 pages - Amended version to file no. 260739

County Attorney	6/15/2026		Assigned	David S. Hope		6/15/2026

Policy Council	6/8/2026	3A AMENDED	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s)
REPORT:	Commissioner Gilbert III asked what the deciding factor had been for recommending Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra) as the vendor for the disaster debris removal monitoring contract, observing that the scoring did not appear to track with the substantial cost difference between the two top-ranked proposers. In response to Chairman Rodriguez’s question whether Ms. Namita Uppal, Director, Miami-Dade Strategic Procurement Department (SPD), was present to respond, Dr. Edwards advised that the director was not yet available but was on her way. Chairman Rodriguez explained that the contract served as a monitoring agreement activated only in the aftermath of a disaster such as a hurricane. He noted that the recommended proposer had scored roughly 10 points higher than the second-ranked proposer, Thompson Consulting Services, LLC (Thompson), whose proposed cost was nearly $1 million lower. Ms. Olga Espinosa-Anderson described the purpose of the contract. She explained that it had been competitively solicited and was used following a disaster to monitor the debris-removal contractors, ensure debris was delivered to designated staging areas, and preserve the County's eligibility for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement. Commissioner Gilbert III clarified that both he and Chairman Rodriguez were concerned that a small difference in points corresponded to such a significant difference in cost. Ms. Espinosa-Anderson stated that she had not served on the selection committee and did not have the detail to explain the scoring, and she indicated that Ms. Uppal would be better positioned to answer. Chairman Rodriguez explained that the cost disparity had prompted him to have his staff examine the procurement. He distinguished this item from an earlier matter in which a lower-cost proposer had lacked the relevant experience, noting that here the second-ranked firm was well established, holding numerous comparable contracts in Florida and other states, and that several of its senior executives had come from the top-ranked company. Satisfied that both firms were qualified and that the alternative would save approximately $1 million, he recommended advancing the second-ranked proposer. Commissioner Gilbert III proffered an amendment to recommend Thompson as the vendor for the contract. Commissioner Cohen Higgins voiced support for the proffered amendment but questioned the recommendation, noting that the five-year contract carried a cumulative value of $95 million and that no representative was present to address basic questions about it. She stated that she would support advancing the item to the Board while seeking an explanation from the administration in the interim as to why the top-ranked firm had been recommended over a proposer that was $1 million less expensive. Commissioner Milian Orbis added that she too had questions, particularly regarding how much weight had been assigned to cost, which she believed should be among the most significant scoring factors, and she voiced support for identifying savings given the County's budgetary climate. In response to Vice Chairman Gonzalez’s question as to whether anyone present could explain the formula used to arrive at the recommendation, Dr. Edwards reiterated that Ms. Uppal and staff were en route, adding that she was not sufficiently familiar with the details to respond. Chairman Rodriguez called the vote. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Council proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended to direct the County Mayor or County Mayor’s designee to negotiate and award Contract No. EVN0016781, Disaster Debris Removal Monitoring Services, to Thompson Consulting Services, LLC. SPD staff arrived just after the vote had been taken. Chairman Rodriguez noted that the vote had already been called and asked that Ms. Uppal and her team meet with the commissioners' offices and brief the attorneys on the basis for the selection.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD CONTRACT NO. EVN0016781, DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL MONITORING SERVICES, TO THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC IN AN AMOUNT CONSISTENT WITH THE PRICING OF ITS PROPOSAL FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR TERM AND ONE, FIVE-YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FOR MULTIPLE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT WITH THOMPSON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC AND EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS OF SAME, INCLUDING ANY CANCELLATION, RENEWAL, OR EXTENSIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-8.1 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA AND IMPLEMENTING ORDER 3-38 [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 260739]

BODY
WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:

Section 1. This Board >>directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to negotiate an award<<1 Contract No. EVN0016781, Disaster Debris Removal Monitoring Services, [[in substantially the form attached and made a part hereof]], to [[Tetra Tech, Inc. in the amount of $190,070,000.00]] >>Thompson Consulting Services, LLC in an amount consistent with the pricing of Thompson Consulting Services, LLC�s proposal, which amount shall represent a cost savings to the County in comparison to the initial recommended award to Tetra Tech, Inc.<< for an initial five-year term and one, five-year option to renew for multiple County departments.

Section 2. This Board authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute the >>negotiated<< agreement >>with Thompson Consulting Services, LLC<< and exercise all provisions of [[the contract]] >>same<<, including any cancellation, renewal, or extensions, pursuant to section 2-8.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida and Implementing Order 3-38.

HEADER
Date:
To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor
Subject: Approval of 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Miami-Dade County and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, A.F.L.-C.I.O., Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department Employees Local 121

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
This item seeks Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval and ratification of the 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (Agreement) between Miami-Dade County (County) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, A.F.L.-C.I.O., Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department Employees Local 121 (Union). The collective bargaining agreement is a reflection of the completed collective bargaining negotiations between the County and Union ratified by the bargaining unit on June 10, 2026. As the County continues to navigate an uncertain and challenging fiscal environment, we have negotiated this agreement in good faith alongside our labor partners to recognize the invaluable services provided by our public servants � while also ensuring we are spending every taxpayer dollar wisely and delivering services with fiscal responsibility at the forefront. Given the fiscal constraints facing the County, this agreement does not include a cost of living increase, but agrees that Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) negotiations can be re-opened later this year. In summary, the three-year agreement includes language added due to a resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, as well as, work rules changes, changes in local, state and federal law, and dates for reopening for four articles (Article 15 � Overtime Compensation, Article 23 � Special Wage Provisions, Article 28 � Wages, and Article 30 � Group Health Insurance).

Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approve and ratify the attached 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (Agreement) between the County (County) and the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, A.F.L.-C.I.O., Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department Employees Local 121 (Union), which was ratified by the bargaining unit on June 10, 2026. This approval and ratification is necessary to ensure the Agreement is binding on the parties under state law. Although the contract has been ratified by the bargaining unit, it has not been executed by the parties.

The requirements of Resolution R-130-06, requiring that any contract between the County and third parties be executed and finalized prior to their placement on a Board agenda, may be waived by the Board upon a recommendation by the County Mayor that it is in the best interest of the County to do so. It is recommended that these requirements be waived for this Agreement because the collective bargaining agreement is not effective until it is ratified by the Union and the Board. Accordingly, this Agreement will be executed by the parties subsequent to its approval and ratification by the Board and the Union.

Scope
The impact of this agenda item is countywide.

Delegation of Authority
The resolution delegates authority to the Mayor to execute, implement and administer the 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the County and the Union.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The contractual changes included in this Agreement for FY 2026-27 through FY 2028-29, will not have an impact on the FY 2026-27 budget. During negotiations, the County and the Union mutually agreed to include in the Agreement the option to re-open Article 15 (Overtime Compensation), Article 23 (Special Wage Provisions), Article 28 (Wages), and Article 30 (Group Health Insurance) after November 15, 2026. If there are proposed adjustments that have a fiscal impact, the impact will be estimated and presented to the Board.

Track Record/Monitor
Tyrone W. Williams, HR Division Director for the People and Internal Operations Department, monitors and oversees the administration of this collective bargaining agreement.

Background
This Agreement before the Board for final approval and ratification is the product of good faith negotiations between the County and the Union. This Agreement recognizes the services provided by the public servants of this bargaining unit while ensuring the continued delivery of quality services to the residents of Miami-Dade County in a fiscally responsible manner. The following is a summary of the contractual changes affecting the employees covered by this Agreement:

Term of Agreement
This is a three-year contract for the period of June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029.

Article 4: Check off
Removed dues deduction language in compliance with state law.

Article 10: Union Stewards and Representatives
Updated language to clarify compliance with state law.

Article 11: Attendance at Meetings
Updated language to clarify compliance with state law.

Article 14: Hours of Work
Added language regarding temporary change of employee�s schedule when assigned duties outside their normal work, (i.e. trainings) held during regular daytime hours.

Article 17: Tool Allowance
Added a classification to the list of tool allowance.

Article 20: Productivity
Updated date of MOU.

Article 23: Special Wage Provisions
Updated department�s name. Added a classification to the hazardous duty pay.

Article 27: Back Pay
Added language to recover overpayments in a timely manner and to increase recovery amount.

Article 28: Wages
Article to be reopened as per Article 52 � Term of Agreement and Reopening.

Article 29: Trades Proficiency Allowance
Added a classification to the trades proficiency allowance.

Article 30: Group Health Insurance
Updated to reflect provider changes from AvMed to Aetna and changes in state law.

Article 34: Services to the Union
Removed dues deduction language in compliance with state law.

Article 42: Safety and Health
Updated department�s name. Stroke through re-opener language for this article.

Article 48: On Call
Added provision for on-call rotation in the Water and Sewer Department.

Article 51: Bereavement and Emergency Sick Leave
Added - brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Article 52: Term of Agreement and Reopening
The collective bargaining agreement shall be effective upon ratification by the Association and approval by the Board of County Commissioners, which shall be the effective date for all provisions in this Agreement, unless otherwise provided in any specific Article, and once the Agreement is effective, it shall remain in force through May 31, 2029.

The parties agree to reopen Article 15 (Overtime Compensation) of this Agreement, on or after November 15, 2026, for the purpose of negotiating overtime compensation for fiscal years 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.

The parties agree to reopen Article 23 (Special Wage Provision) of this Agreement, on or after November 15, 2026, for the purpose of negotiating pay supplements for fiscal years 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.

The parties agree to reopen Article 28 (Wages) of this Agreement, on or after November 15, 2026, for the purpose of negotiating cost of living adjustments for the fiscal years 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.

The County has the right to reopen Article 30 (Group Health Insurance) of this Agreement for healthcare redesign. The County may invoke the reopener clause by written notice to the Union no sooner than January 1, 2027.

Article 56: Paid Parental Leave
Increased Paid Parental Leave from six weeks to 12 weeks (6 at 100% and 6 at 50%) per resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.

Exhibit 2: Group Health Cost Containment Initiatives
Updated to reflect provider changes from AvMed to Aetna and changes in state law.

Exhibit 3: Medical Plan Premiums
Updated to reflect provider changes from AvMed to Aetna and changes in state law.

Attachment

______________________________
Carladenise Edwards
Chief Administrative Officer