City Generated Hazardous Waste Disposal and Emergency Response Services

The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department is requesting proposals for hazardous waste disposal and emergency response services under a three-year contract, with proposals due September 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and questions due September 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

The scope covers identification, packaging, labeling, removal, transportation, and disposal of approximately 29 hazardous and universal waste streams generated by City operations, including latex and oil-based paints, batteries, fluorescent tubes, asbestos-containing materials, and chemical residues. The contractor must also provide 24-hour emergency response services for hazardous materials incidents within Palo Alto's jurisdictional borders. Waste generation rates are estimated quarterly or annually depending on stream type.

The contract carries an annual budget of $85,000 ($255,000 over three years), though the City states this amount is not indicative of actual expenditures and may be increased, decreased, or modified at its discretion. Compensation is structured on a not-to-exceed basis per task, using time-and-materials rates for mobilization, packaging, and emergency response; unit disposal prices for routine waste streams; and time-and-materials, unit price, or lump-sum compensation for non-routine scheduled projects. The City does not pay for services before receipt and prohibits upfront payments or deposits.

The contractor must obtain and maintain all required insurance, obtain a California Department of Toxic Substances Control Certificate of Registration as a hazardous waste transporter, provide 24-hour emergency contact numbers, and maintain treatment, storage, and disposal facilities approved by the City. Proposers must demonstrate financial stability through audited or reviewed financial statements, letters of good standing from financial institutions or certified public accountants, or Dun & Bradstreet reports updated within the past 12 months. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, negotiate with any or all proposers, and award to other than the lowest bidder. Responses to questions will be provided by September 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.