2026 009 operation of collection centers

Spalding County, Georgia is issuing a Request for Proposals for the lease and operation of five trash collection centers throughout the county for a two-year term commencing July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30, 2028. The successful bidder will be responsible for staffing, operating, and maintaining all five facilities located at Akin, Blalock, Cabin, Carver, and Woodroof, with each center required to operate a minimum of three days per week for at least eight hours per day, with Saturday as a mandatory operating day; the County will prioritize bidders proposing extended operational hours and increased frequency. The operator must manage all labor costs, collect fees from customers, maintain equipment, and ensure proper removal and disposal of all collected waste and materials, including household trash, bulky materials, metals, yard debris, and recyclables. Qualified respondents must demonstrate relevant experience in solid waste collection and disposal, provide detailed operational plans with key personnel qualifications, and establish a comprehensive fee schedule. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria: experience with solid waste collection and hauling (20%), monthly land lease fees proposed (25%), value and competitiveness of the fee schedule (25%), proposed operational hours beyond the minimum (10%), variety of collectible items offered (5%), and overall suitability and fit with County needs (15%). Critical deadlines include a mandatory pre-bid meeting and facility tour on February 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.; written questions due by February 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET with County responses by February 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET; sealed proposal submissions due March 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET; and selection of the successful respondent scheduled for April 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged or minority-owned enterprises, indicating that all qualified companies may submit proposals. Bidders must provide proof of E-Verify compliance and obtain required insurance coverage including minimum limits of $1,000,000 for general liability, workers' compensation, and vehicle liability, with Spalding County named as an additional insured. The County will retain ownership of all existing equipment and buildings at each collection center, and the successful operator must maintain these assets according to a mutually agreed-upon preventive maintenance schedule. The fee schedule submitted with the proposal must remain unchanged for at least the first 12 months of the contract, though the operator may adjust fees thereafter without County interference. While the RFP does not disclose an incumbent contractor or specific budget range, the evaluation weighting of 25 percent on land lease fees and 25 percent on the fee schedule suggests that cost competitiveness is a significant factor in the selection process.