QA Compost Market Study RFP final 19JUL24.pdf

OregonBuys Bid Solicitation #S-34000-00010747 Page 1 of 2 Q&A

OregonBuys Bid Solicitation #S-34000-00010747 Questions and Answers

1. Task 3 (page 7 of 20) has six bullets describing the subtasks to be completed under that task. The third bullet suggests the contractor will be required to "Assess the existing and future *capacities of wastewater treatment plants to accept food waste". Does this task really hope to assess the *capacity of Oregon’s WWTPs, or merely a general level of *interest in potentially accepting food for co-digestion at a WWTP with AD? Assessing the *capacity of an operating WWTP to accept and digest food is a complicated engineering analysis that is likely beyond the scope of this project.

DEQ’s Response: The contractor will only be expected to gather information from wastewater treatment plants that currently operate as an AD facility. DEQ will provide a list of facilities to be contacted.

Contractor will collect information on the facilities intensity of interest and likelihood to process food waste and will not be required to gather information on the amount of food waste that could be processed at each facility.

2. Section 3.5.2.1 Lists the possible points available for a proposers Technical Proposal. The 7th bullet under this task lists "The degree to which the Offeror understands and articulates the challenges associated with this work including consideration of environmental justice burdens and barriers (10 points possible)". Can DEQ provide some context, clarification, or explanation of this criteria and how it applies to a project that largely involves surveying *existing processing facilities and providing recommendations?

DEQ’s Response: These criteria evaluate the proposer’s ability to understand and articulate the technical and operational challenges of the project, as well as address equity concerns around stakeholder engagement and any environmental justice considerations that may arise (for example, when siting new facilities). For a project involving the surveying of existing processing facilities and providing recommendations, this means the proposer should demonstrate their awareness of data collection and logistical challenges. This criteria will also evaluate the proposer’s ability to consider how the proposed actionable recommendations that result from the project may impact communities.

3. Task 2 lists "48 DEQ-permitted aerobic composting facilities, numerous farm composting operations overseen by the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture and roughly 12 anaerobic digesters, on farms and commercial, only some of which are operational." Will DEQ provide a complete list of facilities to be surveyed or is it up to the contractor to develop a comprehensive contact list? DEQ presumably has a list of the 48 permitted compost facilities, does the Oregon Department of Agriculture have a complete list of on farm composting and anaerobic digestion facilities?

DEQ’s Response: The contractor will only be expected to collect information on DEQ-permitted facilities and facilities operating out of state that are receiving food waste from Oregon generators. DEQ does not expect contractor to contact the “numerous farm composting operations” that are not DEQ-permitted facilities.

This was background information included in the RFP to provide context on the full landscape of composting operations currently utilized within the state. DEQ will provide a complete list of facilities to be contacted by the selected contractor.

4. Task 2 also states "Oregon also has several anaerobic digesters operating at wastewater treatment plants, several planning to accept food waste in the future. Will DEQ provide a list of these facilities?

DEQ’s Response: Yes, DEQ will provide a list of these facilities.

OregonBuys Bid Solicitation #S-34000-00010747 Page 2 of 2 Q&A

5. Can you address the primary differences between this RFP and the one issued earlier?

DEQ’s Response: DEQ has made significant changes to the budget for this project, substantially increasing the funds allocated. Additionally, a new task (Task 1) has been introduced, requiring the contractor to develop a detailed project plan and conduct a kick-off meeting with the project team.

6. Can you clarify the project timeline? RFP indicates a 2- year contract term, but report is due March 2025. Do you anticipate additional work beyond the report?

DEQ’s Response: DEQ expects the work to take around 8 months. While DEQ does not anticipate delays, the 2-4 year contract term allows room for delays in the work, should that happen.

7. What are expectations regarding stakeholder outreach? Will contractor need to reach out to all potential stakeholders?

DEQ’s Response: The contractor should detail their plan for achieving 100% completion of the stakeholder outreach in the proposal. DEQ understands that 100% completion may not be possible and will negotiate with the contractor as the work is being executed.

8. Is there any federal funding associated with this project that would trigger survey limitations?

DEQ’s Response: No, this project will not utilize federal funding. Oregon does not have survey limitations.