CITY OF NORWALK

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

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SEALED RFPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, 125 EAST AVENUE NORWALK, CT 06851

BY THE DATE AND TIME OF RFP OPENING

PROJECT NUMBER: 4507

REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: DPW

DATE OF RFP ISSUANCE: 04/02/2026

TITLE OF RFP:

Transportation & Disposal of Yard Waste Materials

RFI/QUESTION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 04/09/2026

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 04/14/2026

HARD COPY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 04/16/2026

MANDATORY WALKTHROUGH:

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF WALKTHROUGH

YES ( ) NO (X )

N/A

TIME/DATE OF RFP OPENING: 2:00 PM 04/16/2026

RFP DEPOSIT REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES (X ) NO ( )

10%

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

PERFORMANCE & PAYMENT BOND REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES ( X) NO (X )

100%

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

MAINTENANCE BOND REQUIRED:

YES ( ) NO ( X)

ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SPECIFICATIONS AND BID FORMS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR A BID TO BE COMPLIANT

1. BIDDER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

2. RFP FORMS, INCLUDING PRICING SHEETS AND ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS (ONE ORIGINAL PLUS

ONE (1) COPIES)

3. EXCEPTIONS (IF ANY)

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

1. ALL RFPS WILL BE OPENED PROMPTLY AT THE ADVERTISED TIME OF OPENING. THERE WILL BE NO DELAYS OR POSTPONEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT PUBLICLY ADVERTISED. ANY RFP RECEIVED AFTER THE ADVERTISED TIME

OF OPENING WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

2. ALL RFPS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY MUST BE IN A CLEARLY MARKED AND SEALED ENVELOPE. REFERENCE THE

PROJECT NUMBER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE.

3. OBLIGATION OF BIDDERS:

a. AT THE TIME OF OPENING RFPS, EACH BIDDER SHALL BE PRESUMED TO HAVE INSPECTED THE SITES

AND TO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANS AND CONTRACT

DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ALL ADDENDA. THE FAILURE OR OMISSION OF ANY BIDDER TO RECEIVE OR

EXAMINE ANY FORM, INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT SHALL IN NO WAY RELIEVE ANY BIDDER FROM

ANY OBLIGATION IN RESPECT TO THEIR RFP.

b. EACH BIDDER MUST FULLY INFORM THEMSELVES OF THE CONDITONS RELATING TO THE WORK WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT RELIEVE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OF

THEIR OBLIGATION TO FURNISH ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE

PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND TO COMPLETE THE CONTEMPLATED WORK. IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE CONTRACTOR MUST, IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK, EMPLOY SUCH MEANS AND METHODS AS WILL NOT CAUSE ANY INTERRUPTIONS OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE WORK OF ANY

OTHER CONTRACTOR.

4. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE (IF APPLICABLE):

a. IF THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE DATE SPECIFIED AS THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE IN THE CONTRACT ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE

SUBJECT TO CONSEQUENTIAL AND/OR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

1. INTRODUCTION

The City of Norwalk’s Department of Public Works invites proposal submissions from qualified firms for the

Transportation & Disposal of Yard Waste Materials. The requirements of this project are outlined in greater detail under Section 2 Scope of Work/Project Specifications.

2. RFP DOCUMENTS

All RFP documents for this invitation are available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view this document. If you do not have this software you may download it for free from Adobe.

3. ADDENDA

All addenda, if issued will be available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. We strongly suggest that you check for any addenda a minimum of forty-eight hours in advance of the RFP deadline. It is the responsibility of the bidder to check for issuance of any addenda.

4. BIDDER’S LIST

Bidder’s list for this solicitation will not be published.

5. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS RFP

All questions concerning this solicitation must be directed, via e-mail, to Sharon Conners, Purchasing Agent at sconners@norwalkct.gov. Please include the Project Number and Project Title in the subject line. The deadline for the submission of questions is 2:00 pm, April 9, 2026.

6. SUBMISSION OF RFP

The City of Norwalk is requesting electronic submission along with hard copy submission. All participants are required to submit both by the said date and time. Hard copy submission must match the electronic submission and will be the official accepted submission. The City of Norwalk has the right to reject any submission that does not meet this criteria.

All sealed electronic submissions must be submitted in Bonfire no later than April 14, 2026, at 2:00PM.

All sealed hard copy Bids should be submitted to the City of Norwalk’s Purchasing Department no later than April 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the address listed below:

City of Norwalk Purchasing Department 125 East Avenue, Room 211 Norwalk, CT 06856-5125

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7. SUMMARIES

A list of the proposing firms will be available any time after 5:00 pm on the day of the RFP opening at Purchasing-Bid Postings. RFP results will not be provided over the phone.

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Candidates will be required to provide:

• 10% bid bond, with your response (see Section 3.1 B).

• A performance, labor, and materials bond for 100% of the project upon award if the contract value exceeds $50,000.00 (see Section 3.1 C).

• Copies of your Certificate of Insurance, as referenced to in Section 1.10. Include a statement that defines your existing deductibles and self-insured retentions. Include the name, address and telephone number of your insurance agent.

• A statement detailing the Company's experience in the field of Transport & Dispose of Yard Waste Materials. Along with a list of municipalities, State Agencies, or firms in the State of Connecticut for which the Contractor furnishes or has furnished these services within the last six (6) years.

• Permits/Licenses: The Contractor must obtain all permits and licenses required by law to transport &dispose of Yard Waste Materials prior to contract signing. The Contractor shall include with their proposal submission a copy of all current permits and licenses.

• Contractors shall include information regarding the intended composting sites; if recycled or reused, the intended processing site and the type of material received by the intended facility

2. Public Opening: Per the City of Norwalk Purchasing Guidelines, Bids shall be opened publicly by the Purchasing

Agent or his designee, in the presence of one or more witnesses at the time and place designated in the Invitation for Bids. Receipt of Proposals: Proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing proposers during the process of negotiation. A Register of Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with these Procurement Guidelines and shall be open for public inspection after contract award. If you wish to hear the bid/RFP opening, please join us through a teleconference.

Access Number: (866) 640-4044 or (678) 302-3554

Participant Code: 968 704

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SECTION 1 – RESPONSE FORMS

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PROPOSER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

Proposer’s Name

Street Address

City State Zip

Business Telephone:

Email Address:

Printed Name and Title of Individual Submitting Proposal

The undersigned acknowledges that the terms, conditions and specifications of this RFP are understood and unconditionally accepted.

Signature Date

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Exceptions: Note any vendor(s) responding to this proposal shall indicate any/all exceptions (if any) taken to language in this proposal. BIDDERS MAY NOT TAKE EXCEPTION TO SUBSTANTIVE TERMS OF STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS PROVIDED IN THE RFP/RFQ/ITB. Exceptions must be declared below in order to be considered by the City:

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1.1 PROPOSAL RESPONSE FORM

Vendor Name -

Address -

Phone -

Fax -

Email -

Manager -

Fed ID#

The undersigned hereby declares that they have carefully examined the plans, specifications and project sites and has satisfied themselves as to all the quantities and conditions and understands that in signing this proposal they waives all right to plead any misunderstanding regarding the same.

The undersigned further understands and agrees that they will furnish and provide all the necessary material, machinery, implements, tools, labor, services, and other items of whatever nature, and to do and perform all the work necessary under the aforesaid conditions, to carry out the contract and to accept in full compensation therefore the amount of the contract as agreed to by the Contractor and the City.

It is further understood and agreed that all information included in, attached to, or required by the Request for Proposal shall be public record upon delivery to the City.

A. Four (4) Year Initial Contract Period

FY 2026-2027

Unit Pricing Cost per Ton Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Storm and/or Disaster Debris

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FY 2027-2028

Unit Pricing Cost per Ton Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

Proposed Fee, per ton, -

FY 2028-2029

Unit Pricing Cost per Ton Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

Proposed Fee, per ton, -

FY 2029-2030

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

Proposed Fee, per ton, -

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B. Two (2), One-Year Extension Periods

FY 2030-2031

Unit Pricing Cost per Ton Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

Proposed Fee, per ton, -

FY 2031-2032

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Brush $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Leaves $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Logs & Stumps $

Proposed Fee, per ton, - Woodchips $

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C. Yard Waste Materials: Provide information regarding the intended CTDEEP permitted composting sites, or if recycled or reused, the intended processing sites. (Facility/company name, type of material, address, contact information).

Facility /Company Name

CT DEEP

Permit # Type of Yard Waste Material Address

Contact Information (name, phone, & email)

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D. Can your firm provide the required daily reports, invoices, and weight tickets as outlined and requested (1.6 Reporting) to the City?

Documentation: YES / NO Explanation:

Invoicing: YES / NO

Reporting: YES / NO

E. Bid Security & Bonds

Bid Security in the form of a (check one) is attached.

Bond Certified Check

Cost for performance bond.

(Based on first year amount of the proposal)

$ per thousand dollars

Cost for performance bond.

(Based on total amount of the three (3) year proposal)

$ per thousand dollars

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A. CERTIFICATION

Submitted By: Signature:

Authorized Agent of Company (Name & Title):

Date:

B. The above signatory acknowledges receipt of the following addenda issued during the bidding period and understands that they are a part of the bidding documents (if applicable):

Addendum # Dated Addendum # Dated

Addendum #

Dated Addendum #

Dated

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1.2 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Please answer the following questions regarding your company's past performance. Failure to reply to this instruction may be regarded as justification for rejecting a bid.

1. Number of years in business:

2. Number of personnel employed: Part Time Full Time

3. List six contracts of this type/size your firm has completed within the last four years:

Project Date Contact Person Phone No.

4. SUBCONTRACTORS: If subcontractors are to be used, please list firm name, address, name of principal, and phone number below or on a separate sheet. Also indicate portion or section of work subcontractor will be performing.

COMPANY NAME ADDRESS PRINCIPAL PHONE PORTION/SECTION

OF WORK

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5. ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE OF

BIDDER (check which applies) general partnership limited partnership limited liability corporation limited liability partnership corporation doing business under a trade name individual doing business under a trade name other (specify)

6. STATUS OF THE

BUSINESS AND ITS

CURRENT STANDING

WITH THE SECRETARY

OF STATE'S OFFICE; e.g., are all required filings current and in good standing or has the entity been withdrawn or canceled

Connecticut corporations - Will the Secretary of State be able to issue a Certificate of Good Standing within 30 days of the bid opening?

Yes No

Out-of -State corporations - Do you have a valid license to do business in the State of Connecticut? (Evidence in the form of a Certificate of Authority from the Connecticut Secretary of State will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.)

Yes No

7. CT eLICENSE (https://www.elicense.ct.gov ) / Business Registration (https://business.ct.gov/?language=en_US) :

8. Is your local organization an affiliate of a parent company? If so, Indicate the principal place of business of your company and the name of the agent for service if different from what has been indicated on the response form:

Business Name

Address

City. State & Zip

Name of Agent

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NOTE: In the case of a Limited Liability Corporation or a Limited Liability Partnership a certified copy of the Articles of Organization certified as valid and in effect as of the date of the bid opening will be required within 30 days of the bid opening. A listing of the corporate officers, in the case of a corporation; the general or managing partners, in the case of a partnership; or the managers and members in the case of either a limited liability partnership or company will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.

9. Your company may be asked to submit the following information relative to your company's financial statements prior to receiving an award. This information will not be part of the public bidding record and will remain confidential.

All information should be supported with appropriate audited financials

a. Book Value (Total Assets (-) Total Liabilities)

b. Working Capital (Current Assets (-) Current Liabilities

c. Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities)

d. Debt to Equity Ratio (Long Term Debt/Shareholder's Equity)

e. Return on Assets (Net Income/Total Assets)

f. Return on Equity (Net Income/Shareholder's Equity)

g. Return on Invested Capital (Net Income/Long Term Debt = Shareholders' Equity)

All responses to this questionnaire are understood to be proprietary to the vendor, and will be considered confidential.

Additional information may be requested subsequent to your responding to this bid request.

1.3 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR RECORDS

If you have not done business with the City of Norwalk as a vendor, your business information needs updating or your City of Norwalk vendor record has not been updated over three (3) years. Please complete and include the latest version of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) W-9 Form with your submission. Here is the URL to the IRS website:

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9

1.4 INSURANCE

Insurance Agency Name: Tel:

Agency Address: Email:

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1.5 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE – IT INFORMATION SECURITY

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City of Norwalk Vendor Questionnaire

IT Information Security

Rev 8.4.22

1. Third-Party Contact Information (please provide the POC for follow-up questions to this questionnaire):

Vendor Name, Address, Point-of-Contact Name, Phone Number and Email

2. Description of Services/Products: Please provide a detailed description of services/products your organization aims to provide to the City?

3. System and Equipment Access: Will your organization use your own systems and equipment to perform the services, or will your organization need access to the City’s systems, equipment and network? (Yes or

No, If Yes, please explain)

YES ☐ NO ☐

4. Description of Data: Are you using data from the City in order provide the services/product to the City

(Yes or No, if Yes proceed to 3.1)

a. What data is needed to provide the services/products to the City?

Example: Name, Social Security Number, Trade Information, Source Code, Payroll or Accounts Payable data, student or patient data, Law Enforcement data, any Personally Identifiable Information (PII), etc.

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If your answers to Questions 3 and 4 are BOTH “NO”, thank you for completing the IT

Information Security Questionnaire.

If one or both questions are “YES”, please complete the remaining questions.

5. Office Locations: How many office locations does your organization have? Please include the locations of your organization.

6. Data Center Locations: How many data centers does your organization utilize to provide services/products to the City? Please include the locations of the data centers utilized by your organization.

7. Business Entity: What is your business entity type?

*Example: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

8. How many employees and contingent workers do you have in your organization?

1-10 ☐ 10-50 ☐ 50-100 ☐ 100-500 ☐ 500-1000 ☐ 1000 or more ☐

9. Physical Access: Does your organization need to be onsite or offsite to provide services/products to the City?

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10. Access to Data: How is your organization accessing City data?

*Example: Is the data supposed to be sent to your organization via email or will the data need to be uploaded to an application?

*Note: For third-parties that are providing an application to perform the services, please specify whether the application will be an internally hosted solution, cloud-based solution (i.e. SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), or a traditional web-based application (i.e. eBay, WebEx, online banking application)

11. Data Storage: Does your organization outsource data storage or does your organization utilize its own databases to store data? Does your organization store data outside of the United States?

YES ☐ NO ☐

12. Segregation of Data: Does your organization’s database structure allow segregation of sensitive client data?

YES ☐ NO ☐

13. Independent Attestations: Does your organization have independent attestations such as (i.e. ISO 27001, SSAE-18 SOC-1, SOC-2, PCI- DSS, ISO 9001)?

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14. Information Security

a. Does your organization have written information security policies and procedures (WISP)?

b. How often are the information security policies and procedures reviewed and updated?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the information security policies and procedures?

d. Does your organization have privacy policies and procedures?

e. How often are the privacy policies and procedures updated?

f. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the privacy policies and

g. What methods of encryption are utilized for data at rest and in transit?

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h. Are the encryption methods utilized FIPS 140-2 approved?

i. Does your organization utilize firewalls to filter incoming data and information from the internet into your company network?

j. Does your organization perform penetration testing at least once per year to determine if unauthorized access to the computer network and malicious activity is possible externally?

k. Does your organization perform vulnerability testing at least once per year in order to identify vulnerabilities within the internal network?

l. Does your organization perform background checks on employees and contingent workers prior to onboarding them? Describe the nature of these background checks (i.e., criminal, credit, international, etc.).

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m. Does your organization utilize multi-factor authentication?

n. Does your organization utilize scan cards or biometric scans to grant employees and contingent workers access to the building and data centers where data is stored?

o. If offering a technology product, does the organization utilize software development life cycle (SDLC) or

Agile to build and maintain technological product?

p. Does the technological product undergo information security testing and quality assurance testing prior to deployment?

q. Does the Vendor provide annual Cybersecurity Awareness training to their employee?

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r. Does the Vendor provide annual phishing simulations for their employee?

s. Have users been educated on how to report suspected security violations or vulnerabilities?

t. Does the Vendor have an employee identified as the Chief Information Security Officer?

u. Are all the Vendor laptops encrypted?

v. Are all Vendor computers (workstations, notebooks) required to join the Company’s domain and receive Group Policies?

w. Does the Vendor meet the NIST 800-63 password guidelines?

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15. Risk Management

a. Does your organization have an enterprise risk management framework implemented at your organization?

b. Does your organization have documented enterprise risk management policies and procedures?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing the enterprise risk management policies and

d. Does your organization utilize an outside third-party to provide services/products to the client?

e. Does your organization have a third-party risk management program (TPRM)?

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f. Does your organization include right-to audit clauses in contracts with third parties?

g. Does your organization have a certificate of insurance (COI)? Please attach a copy of your COI.

Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery

a. Does your organization have a business continuity plan?

b. How often is the business continuity plan updated?

c. Does your organization conduct business continuity tests once per year?

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d. Does your organization have a disaster recovery plan?

e. How often is the disaster recovery plan updated?

f. Does your organization conduct disaster recovery tests once per year?

g. Does your organization have business continuity and/or disaster recovery sites?

h. Are the business continuity/disaster recovery sites located in the United States or outside the

United States? Please include the locations of business continuity/disaster recovery sites?

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SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF WORK / PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

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2.1 Introduction/Objectives and Responsibilities

The following information should be of assistance in developing a proposal. The City of Norwalk is soliciting proposals for qualified contractors to Transport and Dispose of Yard Waste Materials.

It is the desire of the City to have a single source vendor for this project. This Request for proposal/bid does not necessarily contemplate an award based solely on price. Rather, the City reserves its rights to accept or reject any and all proposals / bids, or any part thereof, to waive defects in the same, or accept any proposal / bid or a combination of proposals / bids deemed to be in its best interests. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals

2.2 Scope of Services

The City of Norwalk's Department of Public Works is seeking a qualified contractor to transport yard waste daily from the City's yard waste site to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) permitted composting facilities.

A. Yard Waste Materials

Yard waste (leaves, brush (which includes Christmas trees), limbs, grass clippings, wood chips - loose and/or in paper leaf bags) also includes logs and stumps greater than 6 inches in diameter. Yard waste excludes any “storm debris”. Yard waste is separated accordingly: brush, leaves, logs & stumps, and woodchips.

The City will load the contractor's trailers, Monday through Friday (possible Saturdays - in emergency situations), at the Norwalk Public Works Center, Yard Waste Site located at 15 South Smith Street.

Trailers will be loaded no earlier than 7:30 am and no later than 2:30 pm. The City provides seasonal curbside pickup (four (4) – five (5) per year) of yard waste for residents from April until December and two (2) Christmas tree pickups in January. The space allotted for staging the material is minimal, so under no circumstances will trailers be dropped and left overnight on the site.

B. Storm and/or Disaster Debris

Storm and/or Disaster Debris is green/vegetative waste (leaves, brush, limbs, tree branches, logs, and/or stumps, etc.) generated by a natural disaster, i.e., hurricane, tropical storm, tornado, flood, ice or snow storm. Depending on the severity of the storm, debris can be generated anywhere from a week to four

(4) weeks after the event. If the severity of the storm warrants a longer timeframe, the City and the Contractor will negotiate the length of time.

C. Reporting

The Contractor shall provide all required reports to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency if so required.

Documentation: The Contractor will provide the Waste Programs Manager with copies of all weigh tickets from the Norwalk Public Works Center scale, and the composting or reuse facility where the

Page 29 of 55 4507 Transportation & Disposal of Yard Waste Materials-FINAL material is delivered. The method of delivery to the Waste Programs Manager will be electronically via email or a dropbox link and all scanned images of the tickets should be in PDF format and readable/legible.

Invoicing: It is required the Invoice summary submitted by the Contractor to state the composting or reuse facility that received the Yard Waste Material delivery and the type of material.

Reports: Within 15-30 days post of the City’s fiscal year-end close (June 30th), the Contractor will deliver to the Waste Program Manager in Excel, the volume delivered based on the yard waste material types as outlined and defined in the Scope of Services.

• Brush

• Leaves

• Logs & Stumps

• Woodchips

• Storm and/or Disaster Debris

2.3 Contractor Qualifications (supply supporting documentation)

A. Yard Waste Materials: Contractor must haul the City's yard waste to CTDEEP permitted composting facilities and must be permitted to accept the yard waste streams. Additionally, the Contractor must provide names of the composting facilities accepting the City's yard waste, as well as, a contact name and phone number at the facilities. Annual verification of facilities permits and copies of current permits need to be supplied to the City. The City may visit the facilities prior to awarding the bid. The contractor will provide the City with the disposal site location for each trailer.

B. Contractor bidding must provide a reference list with a minimum of three (3) contracts for similar services (see above Scope of Services).

C. Contractor must provide proof of financial stability.

D. Contractors' trailers will weigh up prior to leaving the City yard waste site. The City will not permit overloaded trailers to leave the site, without offloading to the proper weight.

E. Contractor must be able to provide electronically daily reports and invoices, which include a weigh ticket provided by the City and the composting, reuse, or processing facility to which the material was delivered.

F. Contractor must provide unit pricing (per ton) for all materials. The price per ton will remain fixed for the term of the contract. There shall be no increase to the City as a result of the various locations of the facilities. There shall be no adjustments to the unit pricing if the estimated tonnage is greater or less than the estimates. The tonnage is approximated and to be used for bidding purposes only.

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a. Yard Waste Materials: The estimated tonnage (per fiscal year) is approximately 1,800- 2,500 tons of brush; 4,000-5,000 tons of leaves; 800-1,800 tons logs, stumps and woodchips; excluding any “storm debris”. Contractor must provide unit pricing (per ton) for all yard waste materials:

• Brush

• Leaves

• Logs greater than six (6) inches in diameter & stumps

• Woodchips

b. Storm and/or Disaster Debris: There is no estimated tonnage per event. Debris can be generated anywhere from a week to four (4) weeks after the event.

G. Contractor will provide trailers and trucks daily for hauling of material and provide the disposal facilities locations for each trailer. Contractor must provide a 24-hour toll-free number and contact name for the City to dispatch the number of trailers needed at the site, daily. The City will call no later than 3:00 pm for the number of trailers (0 - 10) required the following workday. Failure to provide the trucks and trailers requested, will result in a $500.00 fine for each truck not supplied.

Under no circumstances, will trailers be left on site to be loaded.

H. Contractor must provide a list of trucks and proof of insurance for material hauling.

I. Contractor may provide any additional information and/or pricing that the contractor believes to be relevant and would like considered.

J. The successful contractor must provide a Performance, Labor and Materials Bond acceptable to City of Norwalk, Corporation Council, for the total annual amount of the contract prior to the execution of the contract. Your response must include evidence from a bonding company that this bond can be obtained.

K. Failure to comply with City requirements and CT DEEP requirements may result in the withholding of payments by the City and contractor will be responsible for all costs for any CTDEEP violations by their haulers.

L. Permits/Licenses: The Contractor must obtain all permits and licenses required by law to transport & dispose of the various waste materials outlined in the Scope of Services. The Contractor shall also obtain a City of Norwalk Solid Waste Permit and register all Trucks and Trailers used (at no cost for trucks used to service the awarded contract). The Contractor shall include with their proposal submission a copy of all current permits and licenses.

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2.4 Proposal Submission Format

Proposals should put forth full, accurate, and complete but concise information as required by this request. The City shall not be liable for costs incurred in the preparation of the response to this RFP or in connection with any presentation before a Selection Committee.

Firms should create their submissions in 8½” x 11” document size using a minimum 12-point font size, double sided, include page numbers and any blank pages must be watermarked “Intentionally Left Blank”. Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the applicant's ability to meet the requirements of the RFP. Emphasis should be on completeness and clarity of content.

The City reserves the right to reject proposals/parts thereof or to solicit new proposal and award contracts as it deems in its best interest. All proposals will remain property of the City. It is further understood and agreed that all information included in, attached to, or required by the Request for Proposal shall be public record upon delivery to the City.

To enable the City to compare the proposals received we ask that your proposal include the information specified below, the sequence listed, with each section of your proposal numbered to correspond to the numbers sequenced below.

Request for Proposal (RFP) shall include the following, in this order:

1. Section 1-Executive Summary: A statement detailing the Company's experience in the field of Transport & Dispose of Yard Waste Materials along with a list of municipalities, State Agencies, or firms in the State of Connecticut for which the Contractor furnishes or has furnished these services within the last six (6) years.

2. Section 2-Project Team Organization and Staffing: Provide an organizational chart for the proposed staff for this project, including any consultants. Identify the Principal of your company who will be responsible for this project and include resumes of all key project team members.

3. Section 3-Reporting and Invoicing: The contractor must be able to provide daily reports and invoices electronically, which include a weigh ticket provided by the City and the facilities. In this section outline your compliance to this requirement.

4. Section 4-Financial Stability: Provide the following:

a. The most recent annual report and Dun & Bradstreet report of the candidate company if applicable.

b. An audited financial statement, of the candidate company, prepared in accordance with

Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) bearing the certification of a Certified Public Accountant.

5. Section 5-Equipment: List of vehicles to be utilized by your firm for this project. Please include:

year, make, model, license plate, vehicle identification number, and current odometer reading.

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6. Section 6-Bonding: Provide the following:

a. 10% Bid Surety, of total contract value (four year total).

b. Evidence from a bonding company - authorized to do business in Connecticut – which a performance bond, in the total amount of the contract, will be obtained for the candidate.

7. Section 7-Insurance: Copies of your Certificate of Insurance, as referenced to in Section 2.17.

Include a statement that defines your existing deductibles and self-insured retentions levels.

Include the name, address and telephone number of your insurance agent.

8. Section 8-Permits/Licenses: The Contractor shall include a copy of all current permits and licenses

9. Section 9-References: Contractor bidding must provide a reference list with a minimum of three

(3) contracts for similar services (see above Scope of Services).

10. Section 10-Other Information: Provide any other information that you believe will assist the City of Norwalk in making its selection. Such information may be in this section of your proposal

11. Section 11-Forms: Fully Completed Section 1 – Response Forms

2.5 Selection Process

Proposals will be initially reviewed by a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee may select the two or three firms that best meet the City’s requirements. These firms will then be invited to represent their proposals to and respond to questions from the Selection Committee.

Following this selection process, the Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council Committee. Approval to enter into a contract has to be authorized by the Norwalk City Council.

The City of Norwalk reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted, to request additional information from all proposers and to negotiate with one or more of the finalists regarding the terms of this engagement. The City of Norwalk also reserves the right to retain the proposals, use any ideas contained in the proposals and is not obligated in any manner to

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The Selection Committee intends to recommend the firm that, in its opinion, best meets the City’s needs, not necessarily the firm with the lowest fees.

The anticipated selection schedule is as follows:

RFP Interviews April 2026 Common Council Committee Review May 2026 Common Council Review May 2026

2.6 Criteria for Evaluating Proposal Submissions

The City of Norwalk shall be responsible for reviewing the proposals received and will further evaluate them, using the following criteria. The City reserves its rights to examine any other criteria and take the same under consideration and to reject any firm or proposals despite its compliance with these criteria if it determines that to do so would be in its best interests.

Criteria Weight

Extent and level of the proposed services being offered that can be implemented to ensure the success of the project.

Qualifications & experience of the firm, concerning comparable municipal, governmental, and or private projects of similar size and scope as this project.

Overall experience & expertise of the proposed project team and any other key personnel. 20

Responsiveness and thoroughness of the proposal submission. 10

Total years in business and financial stability of the firm. 10

Recommendation from previous clients. 5

Proposed Fees 5

Total Possible Points 100

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2.7 Prime Proposer Responsibility

Firm’s submitting proposals to this RFP may utilize the services of subcontractors. If subcontractors are planned to be used, this should be clearly explained in the proposal. The prime proposer will be responsible for the entire contract performance whether or not subcontractor is to perform.

All corporate information required in this RFP must be included for each proposed subcontractor. The proposal must also include copies of any agreements to be executed between the prime proposer and any subcontractors in the event of contract award. Under this RFP, the City of Norwalk retains the right to approve all subcontractors.

2.8 Key Personnel

The personnel and commitments identified on any proposer’s proposal will be considered essential to the work to be performed under this RFP. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or changing the level of effort of the specified individuals, the proposer must notify the City of Norwalk fourteen (14) days in advance and will be required to submit justification, including proposed substitutions, in sufficient detail, to permit evaluation of the impact on the project. The proposer will make no deviation without the prior written consent of the City of Norwalk. Replacement of personnel will be with personnel or equal ability and qualifications.

Any employee of the proposer, who in the sole opinion of the City of Norwalk is unacceptable, shall be removed from the project pursuant to the request of City of Norwalk. The proposer will have Fourteen

(14) Days to fill the vacancy with another employee of acceptable technical experience and skills subject to the written approval of the City of Norwalk.

2.9 Availability of Funds

The contract award under this RFP is contingent upon the availability of funds to the City of Norwalk for this project. In the event that funds are not available, any contract resulting from this RFP will become void and of no force and effect.

2.10 Payment & Invoices

The proposer will bill the City of Norwalk based on the submission of monthly invoices in a format to be determined by the City.

2.11 Termination for Default or for the Convenience of the Contracting Agency Performance under this contract resulting from this RFP may be terminated by the City of Norwalk whenever;

The proposer, in the sole opinion of the City, is in default in the performance of the contract and shall fail to correct such default within the period specified by the contracting officer in a notice specifying default; or the contracting officer shall determine that termination is the best interest of the City of Norwalk.

Termination will be effected by delivery to the proposer of a notice to terminate, stating the date upon which the termination becomes effective. Upon receipt of the notice to terminate, the proposer shall:

• Stop all work

• Assign to the City of Norwalk all rights, title and interest in the work being developed;

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• Deliver forthwith to the City of Norwalk all completed work and work in progress;

• Preserve and protect, until delivery to the City, all material plans, and documents related to this contract which, if the contract had been completed, would have been furnished to the City of Norwalk or necessary to the completion of the work

2.12 Negotiated changes

In the event negotiated changes occur after the awarding of the contract, the same pricing policies called for in the original contract will remain in effect

2.13 Contract Agreement(s) and Contract Period(s)

The selected proposer will be required to agree to and sign a formal written contract between the City of Norwalk and the proposer, prepared by the Law Department of the City of Norwalk. A sample of the contract, is provided in a separate section to illustrate the type of contract the City will use to contract for this project.

It is the intention of the City of Norwalk to enter into an agreement for four (4) years with the option of two (2), one-year extensions for a potential total contract length of six (6) years. Any renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance by the contractor and the City of Norwalk’s desire to continue with these services.

2.14 Right of Set-Off

The undersigned bidder hereby authorizes the City to set off against monies payable hereunder by the City to the bidder, an amount equal to any unpaid real and personal property taxes and assessments (the collection of which is not barred by the State of Limitations), owing by the bidder to the City, including all interest and lien charges in connection with such paid taxes.

2.15 Duration of Proposals

Proposals will remain in effect for a period of ninety (90) days from the deadline for submission of the proposal.

2.16 Acceptance of RFP Content

Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful response will be used to establish final contractual obligations. The City retains the option of canceling the award if the successful Respondent fails to accept such obligations. The City and the successful Respondent shall enter into a written contract for the work to be performed.

It is understood that this RFP and the Respondent’s proposal shall be attached and included by reference in a contract signed by the City and the successful Respondent.

This RFP is not an offer: Neither this RFP nor any subsequent discussions shall give rise to any commitment on the part of the City of Norwalk or confer any rights on any proposer unless and until a contract is fully executed by the necessary parties. The fully executed contract document will represent the entire agreement between the proposer and the Department and will supersede all prior negotiations, representations or agreements, alleged or made, between the parties. The City shall assume no liability for costs incurred by the proposer or for payment of services under the terms of the contract until the contract has been accepted and approved by the City’s Corporation Counsel and fully executed by all parties.

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2.17 Insurance Coverage Requirements

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{00074930.DOCX 2}

INSURANCE RIDER – STANDARD SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide and maintain insurance coverage related to its services in connection with the Project in compliance with the following requirements.

The insurance required shall be written for not less than the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder, or required by applicable federal, state and/or municipal law, regulation or requirement, whichever coverage requirement is greater. It is agreed and understood that the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder are minimum requirements and shall in no way limit or preclude the City from requiring additional limits and coverage to be provided under the Contractor's policies.

The insurance obligations under this agreement shall be (1) all the insurance coverage and/or limits carried by or available to the Contractor; or (2) the minimum insurance coverage requirements and/or limits shown in this agreement, whichever is greater.

Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance:

Workers' Compensation Insurance: With respect to all operations the Contractor performs, it shall carry Workers' Compensation Insurance in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Connecticut, and Employer's Liability limits of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each accident, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each employee by disease, Five Hundred Thousand ($500,000) policy limit coverage for disease.

Commercial General Liability: With respect to all operations the Contractor performs it shall carry Commercial General Liability insurance providing for a total limit of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) coverage per Occurrence for all damages arising out of bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and contractual liability coverage for the indemnification obligations arising under this Agreement. The Annual Aggregate limit shall not be less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).

Automobile Liability: With respect to each owned, non-owned, or hired vehicles the Contractor shall carry Automobile Liability insurance providing One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) coverage per accident for bodily injury and property damage.

Umbrella/Excess Liability: The Contractor shall carry Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance providing for a total limit of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) coverage per occurrence for all damages arising out of bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and contractual liability coverage for the indemnification obligations arising under this Agreement. The annual aggregate limit shall not be less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).

Environmental Liability: If applicable, based on the Contractor’s Scope of Work, the Contractor is required to provide environmental and remediation (Contractor’s Pollution Liability –CPL-) insurance in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per claim

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limit and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) aggregate limit per occurrence. If the insurance is provided with a combination of excess pollution liability policies, the policy shall be written on a follow form coverage wording to its underlying Schedule of insurance. This insurance may be included as a separate limit under the general liability, or as a standalone policy.

"Tail" Coverage: If any of the required liability insurance is on a "claims made" basis, "tail" coverage may be required at the completion of the Project for a duration of seven years or the maximum time period reasonably available in the marketplace. Contractor shall furnish certification of "tail" coverage as described or continuous "claims made" liability coverage for twenty-four (24) months following Project completion. Continuous "claims made" coverage will be acceptable in lieu of "tail" coverage, provided its retroactive date is on or before the effective date of this Agreement. If continuous "claims made" coverage is used, Contractor shall be required to keep the coverage in effect for a duration of not less than twenty-four (24) months from the date of final completion of the Project.

Acceptability of Insurers: The Contractor's policies shall be written by insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of Connecticut, with an AM Best rating of A-VII, or better. Additionally, all carriers are subject to approval by the City of Norwalk.

Subcontractors: The Contractor shall require all subcontractors to provide the same "minimum scope and limits of insurance" as required herein. All Certificates of Insurance shall be provided to the City's Corporation Counsel and to the City’s Finance Department (Attn: Risk Manager) as required herein.

Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions: Any deductible or self-insured retention must be declared to and approved by the City. All deductibles or self-insured retentions are the sole responsibility of the Contractor to pay and/or to indemnify.

Notice of Cancellation or Nonrenewal: Each insurance policy required shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, cancelled, or reduced in coverage or in limits before the expiration date except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the City.

Notwithstanding this requirement, the Contractor is primarily responsible for providing such written notice to the City thirty (30) days prior to any policy change or cancellation that would result in a change of the amount or type of coverage provided.