NIGP 08508: Bags, Biodegradable

NIGP 08508 Bags, Biodegradable (Item) covers polyethylene recycle and trash bags that state and local governments procure for municipal waste management operations. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers acquiring multiple bag types in specified sizes and colors — blue recycling bags, black and clear trash bags — with defined closure options (wire ties, flaps, drawstrings) and technical performance standards (film thickness, dart impact strength, drop resistance). The bags must meet ASTM testing requirements, and preferred features include post-consumer recycled content and durability beyond minimum specifications. Cities are the primary issuing bodies under this code, with single-vendor annual requirements contracts structured to consolidate purchasing and streamline logistics. Bidders must demonstrate at least five years of experience supplying similar bags to municipalities and provide multiple references from jurisdictions served within the past three years; successful vendors typically maintain physical business locations within defined geographic proximity to the buyer.

The City of Richardson, Texas has been the active repeat buyer in recent months, issuing two solicitations for recycle and trash bags with estimated annual expenditure around $300,000. An Invitation to Bid (Solicitation 4426) posted March 31, 2026 with a response deadline of April 28, 2026 included a pre-bid conference on April 7, 2026 and required submission of samples alongside bids; award was to be made on best-value basis weighing price (30 percent), experience and qualifications (30 percent), compliance with specifications and added value (30 percent), and reputation (10 percent). A second RFP (Solicitation 70526) posted May 21, 2026 with response due June 16, 2026 added a pre-proposal conference on May 28, 2026 via Zoom and required electronic submission through Bonfire Hub, with awards anticipated four to six weeks after opening. Both solicitations specify that all manufacturing, printing, packaging, and delivery costs must be included in proposed pricing, and bidders with ten or more full-time employees must certify compliance with Texas state law prohibitions on boycotts of Israel and energy companies. Texas jurisdictions dominate recent activity under this code; no other geographic regions appear in current opportunities.