Emergency Notice for Recycling Education

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) awarded an emergency contract on July 14, 2026 for continuation of the Recycle Coach System, a recycling education platform serving enrolled Illinois municipalities and counties, and is posting notice on July 17 with an August 7 deadline reflecting the emergency procurement authorization. This is a sole-source emergency award to the current operator, Municipal Media Corp., as the only platform infrastructure available in Illinois for this service.

The scope encompasses maintaining the Recycle Coach System platform, which delivers online recycling education, local government integration capabilities, a smartphone application, and administrative management tools to Illinois residents and participating local governments. IEPA initiated a competitive RFP process but cancelled it because the solicitation failed to address all factors significant to the State, necessitating emergency procurement to prevent service disruption while the agency rebids through a full competitive process.

The contract value is $183,165, funded through state appropriations. Municipal Media Corp., located at 50 Carroll Street, Suite 111, Toronto, Ontario M4M 3G3, is required to meet an 11% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contracting percentage. The emergency justification cites public health and safety criticality, including documented incidents of battery fires in garbage trucks and landfills and potential groundwater contamination from improperly disposed hazardous materials. IEPA's obligations under the 1986 Solid Waste Management Act and Governor's Office priorities for expanded recycling infrastructure support the emergency determination. The agency documented best efforts to include BEP-certified contractors and competition in the emergency procurement process.