Request for Information Cardboard Recycling

The Department of Energy has issued a Request for Information seeking innovative cardboard collection and recycling services for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) through UT-Battelle, LLC. The procurement aims to improve the current cardboard recycling process, which currently handles approximately 377,096 pounds of cardboard annually through a manual system involving overhead bins, dump truck loading, and transportation to a 40-yard compactor. Key service requirements include developing enhanced collection strategies for diverse site conditions, minimizing manual handling during pickup and transportation, maintaining bi-weekly pickup frequency, and achieving 100% cardboard recycling rates. A critical objective is streamlining operations while respecting the existing unionized workforce by incorporating or adapting current roles without displacement. The RFI response deadline is July 2, 2025, and the government may issue a formal Request for Proposal later based on the effectiveness of proposed solutions.

This opportunity operates under NAICS code 562998 (All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services) and PSC code 4250 (Recycling and Reclamation Equipment) with no set-aside designation. The contract will be performed in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where ORNL facilities are located. While no specific award values or budget ranges are disclosed in this RFI phase, the scope involves managing substantial cardboard volumes given the nearly 400,000 pounds collected in fiscal year 2024. The current bi-weekly pickup schedule suggests an ongoing service requirement rather than a one-time project. No incumbent contractors are specifically identified in the solicitation documents, though the emphasis on workforce integration indicates existing personnel are currently handling these operations.