§ 102-415. Operation and maintenance of water treatment systems by private entities.

(a)

General. The county is authorized pursuant to state law, in the discretion of its governing authority, to enter into valid and binding leases and contracts with private persons, firms, associations, or corporations for any period of time not to exceed 20 years to provide for the operation and maintenance of all or portion of its wastewater treatment system, storm-water system, water system, or sewer system, or any combination of such systems, which leases and contracts may include provisions for the design, construction, repair, reconditioning, replacement, maintenance, and operation of the system, or any combination of such services and functions.

(b)

Definition. Applicant means any individual, firm, association, or corporation submitting a proposal on such leases or contracts.

(c)

Delivery method. Prior to entering into a lease or contract pursuant to this Code section, the governing authority shall solicit competitive sealed proposals.

(d)

Evaluation. The governing authority shall first establish criteria for evaluation of any applicants submitting proposals on such leases or contracts for the purpose of assisting the governing authority in making a review of such applicants' previous performance on projects of comparable magnitude, the environmental compliance record of such applicants, and any relevant civil or criminal penalties incurred by such applicant during the five years immediately preceding the execution of the lease or contract. All information required by the county pursuant to this Code section shall be provided by the applicant under oath.

(e)

Award. The award of a lease or contract pursuant to this Code section shall be made to the responsible and responsive applicant, whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the county, taking into consideration the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals.

(Res. No. 13-0052, 1-23-13)

State law reference

Operation and maintenance of water treatment systems by private entities, O.C.G.A. § 36-60-15.1.