35DEPRecyclingHotlineSvcs

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Management is soliciting bids to staff and operate a statewide Recycling Hotline service with bids due August 19, 2026 — the same day as posting.

The Hotline covers Municipal Waste Recycling, Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics Recycling, Waste Tires and Waste Tire Collection, Organics including wasted food, Safe Battery Recycling and Disposal, and Litter. The service handles approximately 35 calls per week, operates 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and provides an answering device with next-business-day call returns for off-hours inquiries. The contractor must establish a dedicated phone line and provide and maintain all necessary equipment.

The contractor must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in recycling education and technical expertise, employ a permanent full-time supervisory employee with specialized background in recycling, household hazardous waste, battery recycling, and organics management, and maintain permanent full-time personnel capable of providing accurate responses regarding Pennsylvania's waste management acts and programs. Award is based on lowest responsive bid meeting all specified requirements.

The contract commences July 1, 2026, or upon execution, whichever is later, and terminates June 30, 2027, with options to renew for up to four additional years through June 30, 2031. Unit prices may be adjusted up to 3 percent annually on July 1 of each renewal year, with written requests to DEP required no later than March 1 prior to each renewal year. Payment is at unit bid prices for actual services performed through monthly invoices. Additional related services — mailings (approximately 50,000 pieces annually), telephone expenses, clearinghouse subscriptions, and copying — are reimbursed at actual documented expenses only, with contractor-provided price schedules requiring DEP approval prior to incurrence. All bids must be submitted electronically through the Department of General Services' eMarketplace website.