Discarded Books (Weeded Materials)

The Fulton County Library System (FCLS) in Georgia is soliciting bids for a contract to remove and dispose of discarded library materials through Invitation to Bid #23ITB137647B-RT. The procurement seeks a vendor capable of collecting weeded materials from library branches, including books of all bindings, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, Playaways, Read-Alongs, and reference books. The selected vendor will be responsible for preparing items for resale, listing materials on multiple online platforms, managing sales, handling shipping, and disposing of unsold items through recycling or donation. Bidders will be evaluated primarily on the highest percentage of content credit returned to the library system from material sales. The contract term is one year with a potential one-year renewal, running from the purchase order start date through December 31, 2023. Key dates include a pre-bid conference on March 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM, and bid submissions due on March 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The Central Library anticipates weeding 500-1000 books monthly from its main branch, with other branches contributing an additional 100-300 books monthly.

The solicitation emphasizes opportunities for diverse business participation, with extensive documentation requirements for subcontractors and suppliers. Bidders must complete Exhibit B2 and Exhibit C forms detailing subcontractor information, with specific focus on minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and small businesses. Certification designations include African American Business Enterprise (AABE), Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HBE), Native American Business Enterprise (NABE), Asian American Business Enterprise (ABE), Female Business Enterprise (FBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Service Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the library system indicates a consistent monthly volume of weeded materials that should remain relatively stable over the next two years. The library currently uses Sirsi Dynix as its Integrated Library System and works with vendors like Baker & Taylor and Brodart. Potential vendors should note that the library is primarily interested in book materials and will not prioritize non-book media in the evaluation process.