Grant Coordinator to manage DEQ's CERTA measure 11: Food Waste Processing Improvements Grant

The State of Oregon, through the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Procurement Services and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), is seeking a professional services contractor to manage the Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action (CERTA) Measure 11: Food Waste Processing Improvement Grant. The primary objective is to coordinate and administer two competitive grant processes focused on improving food waste processing infrastructure and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The contractor will be responsible for developing application templates, conducting technical assistance, organizing review committees, issuing subgrant agreements, managing subawardees, performing financial management, and preparing quarterly and final reports. Key deliverables include outreach materials, subawardee workplans, financial reports, and performance tracking documentation. The RFP was issued on August 20, 2025, with proposals due on September 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The project aims to support localized composting operations, regenerative agriculture, and food system resiliency, with a specific goal of recovering 25% of food waste (currently at 10% in 2020). Evaluation criteria and required qualifications will likely include expertise in grant management, environmental sustainability, and experience with federal and state grant regulations.

The procurement appears to be open to professional services contractors with demonstrated capabilities in grant management and environmental project coordination. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed, the project emphasizes benefiting low-income and climate-vulnerable communities, suggesting potential preference for organizations with proven track records in equitable environmental initiatives. The anticipated contract budget is $28 million, with $25.8 million allocated for subgrants to end recipients. The contract term is expected to conclude on May 31, 2029, and is funded by a $197 million EPA grant. The compensation structure will be time and materials, with a maximum not-to-exceed total amount and potential retainage of up to 10% on each invoice. No incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned, and the project does not indicate requirements for integrating existing infrastructure or technology. Interested contractors should have comprehensive experience in grant lifecycle management, performance monitoring, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to environmental sustainability and food waste reduction.