RFP – RFQ
Request for Qualifications
Organics Compost Facility Operations & Marketing RFQ
Posting Date: October 25, 2024
Submissions Due: November 22, 2024
Q&A:
Q: As it relates to marketing and sales of compost product, will the selected operator retain the revenue associated with the sale of the compost?
A: Our intention, after a selection is made, is to negotiate a mutually beneficial contract that is incentive-based to produce the highest grade of compost possible while keeping operating costs at a minimum (thereby keeping the tip fee as low as possible). I would expect there will be a revenue share for compost sales.
Q: Similar question – as haulers, will we be able to retain revenue?
A: Yes, we will charge a tip fee to all haulers delivering food waste (including the selected operator); the hauling will be a separate contract between the hauler and the customer, with revenues retained by the hauler.
Q: Will SCRRRA be providing, as part of the equipment of the OCF, heavy equipment to operate the facility, i.e.. Loaders, screeners, etc.? Or, is this the responsibility of the operator to provide?
A: SCRRRA will provide the equipment to operate the facility, the contractor will be responsible for maintenance and fuel (again, this will be part of the contract negotiation).
Q: Is there any planned equipment to sort contaminants from the SSO stream coming into the receiving area of the OCF?
A: Our initial design does not include de-packaging equipment out of concern for micro-plastics; it may be added after the facility is up and running. Contaminants will be removed post-composting utilizing a screener with air blower attachments.
Q: Will SCRRRA be incentivizing food diversion among its member towns to ensure volumes of food waste are present to warrant collections and processing? Or, will this largely be market driven based on the organics diversion mandate?
A: SCRRRA will most likely be incentivizing member towns for residential collection (not commercial). The true incentive will be the savings gained by diverting waste from incineration. We will likely be conducting an extensive outreach program about three months prior to opening, like what Middletown did with CET (who we have already contacted).
Q: If other materials are needed, to achieve proper compost ingredient blends, who will be responsible for providing? The RFQ notes wood chips are available, but other materials are more suitable for composting.
A: We have conducted test piles using the wood generated by our grinding operations and achieved very good results (I can provide you the STA results if you like). Utilizing the excess wood chips that we generate is important to the Authority as a cost offset, but we will be open to adding leaves from our towns, possibly biochar… we will not be incorporating grass clippings or bio-solids in our process. Again, our goal is to maximize the quality of what we produce, and we expect to be active partners with the selected operator to achieve that.
Q: As you are aware, we have a robust green waste hauling capability within our company. We are growing our food waste hauling capability, but in order to better serve the SCRRRA community, we would like to partner with Blue Earth Compost to competently deliver this service and provide a full-service assurance. We are forging a more permanent relationship with Blue Earth and wanted to get your reaction to how we should propose this relationship in the eyes of the submission. We are happy to engage in a partnership agreement which can be an exhibit to this submission if necessary, or, if we are selected to proceed to next stages, we can work on those details during future conversations.
A: Our intention is to accept any registered food waste haulers so partnering with Blue Earth is fine, they’re a great company. The reason we included a hauling competency in this RFQ is that we see a distinct synergy between hauling and facility operation… a company will be focused on quality from working with customers to source separate food waste properly to generating the highest quality compost on the back end. As I said, we want to maximize quality throughout to ensure the greatest value and marketability of the finished product.
Request for Proposals
Posting Date: May 9, 2024
Submissions Due: June 6, 2024
Additional Resources:
Q&A:
Q: Is the Authority looking for a flat rate processing fee annually? Or would the Authority accept a processing fee net commodity rev, variable price structure?
A: The Authority is looking for a processing fee net commodity revenue (variable price structure).
Q: Clarify due date is Thursday, June 6th (page 3 notes Monday, June 6th).
A: Thursday, June 6th.
Q: Would the Authority accept a flat rate processing fee for recyclables, and a separate flat rate disposal fee for the residual composition (non-recyclables)?
A: The Authority will accept a separate rate for non-recyclables (trash residue) but the process that determines the amount of non-recyclables will need to be worked out contractually with the winning proposer.
Q: Will the Authority supply the composition rates for the commencement of the contract? Or provide process to determine composition for year 1?
A: The Authority proposes to use the average of the last four composition audits (2022, 2019, 2016, 2014… posted on our website), to be adjusted in April with a new composition audit (per our current contract included with the RFP).
Q: How will the Authority determine the composition levels for the timeframe October 2024 to April 2025?
A: Please see information posted on SCRRRA website.
Q: Is SCRRRA looking to have pricing that meets the draft contract or the proposal form on page 11?
A: We included the existing contract as a reference to what we operate under now. We are looking for the standard processing fee with an adjustment for commodity value (variable price structure). We are fine with a separate rate for non-recyclables but question how quantities will be verified and would like a partnership on a trash residue reduction continuous improvement program.
Q: Given the responses to questions will be coming only a couple days before the due date, we would like to request a week extension on the due date for this RFP.
A: Will take under consideration.