Development of a Sustainable Materials Management Plan

Benton County, Oregon has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified firm to develop a comprehensive Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP) for the local and regional area. The primary objective is to analyze materials across their complete life cycles, requiring extensive collaboration across jurisdictional and geographic boundaries. The successful proposer will first engage stakeholders to finalize the plan's work scope, with key deliverables including community engagement strategies, comprehensive analyses of material life cycle impacts, and recommendations for funding and administration. Proposals are due by 2:00 pm on November 8, 2023, with the County intending to award the contract by January 18, 2024, and plan development commencing on February 15, 2024. Evaluation criteria will focus on the proposer's qualifications, project team experience, proposed work plan, and pricing. The plan aims to analyze current and proposed materials management systems for environmental, health, social, and economic costs, benefits, and opportunities, with the ultimate goal of creating a strategic guide to improve materials management and lead the community forward.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, nor does it mention incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that requires integration. While a specific budget range is not disclosed in the provided documentation, the comprehensive nature of the SMMP suggests a significant professional services contract. The plan's development will require extensive stakeholder collaboration, indicating that firms with expertise in sustainable materials management, environmental planning, community engagement, and comprehensive lifecycle analysis would be most competitive. Proposers should demonstrate strong capabilities in interdisciplinary research, strategic planning, and the ability to synthesize complex environmental and economic data into actionable recommendations. The project's scope suggests that environmental consulting firms, sustainability planning organizations, and multidisciplinary research teams would be well-positioned to submit compelling proposals for this innovative materials management initiative.