In-Vessel Composting System

Christopher Newport University in Virginia is seeking bids for an in-vessel composting system including manufacture, delivery, installation, commissioning, operator training, and warranty, with bids due September 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Partial bids will be declared non-responsive; only complete bids are accepted. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder that is a DSBSD-certified micro or small business if applicable, otherwise to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder of any size, provided price is determined fair and reasonable.

The system must process pre- and post-consumer organic waste with a minimum capacity of 200 pounds per day (preferred range 200–1,000 pounds per day), complete processing within a maximum of 21 days, achieve 70% volume reduction, and operate with no more than 30 minutes of daily labor. The unit must be fully enclosed, accept fruits, vegetables, cooked food waste, meat, fish, dairy, bread, grains, and compostable paper products, and produce stabilized compost output. The system must meet 240V, 1-phase, 16A electrical requirements and comply with OSHA safety standards and local environmental regulations.

The University will provide a covered concrete slab and 240V/1-phase/16A electrical circuit to within 5 feet of the installation site at the campus location off Prince Drew Street if needed; the contractor is responsible for installing a power disconnect within that distance and final construction. Delivery point is the warehouse at 2 Sweetbriar Drive, Newport News, Virginia 23606.

The bid price must include all labor, equipment, supplies, transportation, installation, testing, training, and ancillary expenses on a grand total basis with no additional invoicing permitted. Payment terms are Net 30 from receipt of product or invoice, whichever occurs last. The contractor must provide a minimum 12-month warranty on parts and labor, ongoing technical support, and optional service agreements. Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate, Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability coverage, conduct background screenings for assigned employees, and participate in the eVA e-procurement platform. All bids submitted electronically are valid for 30 days.

Addendum 1 issued September 15, 2026 clarifies that "no substitutions" applies to specifications rather than brand or model preference, allowing bidder equipment flexibility. The reference specification "partially stabilized compost" has been corrected to "partially stabilized material."