IRCC - Recycling Services - Pallets

The State of Illinois, through the Illinois Department of Corrections at Illinois River Correctional Center (IRCC), is soliciting bids for a three-year pallet recycling services contract (B-50836) with potential extension up to ten years total. The procurement requires vendors to provide comprehensive pallet removal and recycling services, including pickup of approximately 2,400 pallets during the first month and 700 pallets for twice-monthly pickups thereafter. Vendors must arrange pickups on Tuesdays or Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., excluding state-recognized holidays, with the first pickup scheduled within five business days after contract execution. Vendors are responsible for providing all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, necessary licenses, and certifications for legal recyclable transport, with all employees requiring temporary identification and background investigations. The contract utilizes a firm-priced structure where vendors receive payment based on actual weight of recyclables multiplied by unit prices submitted in the BidBuy system. Bids must be submitted electronically through BidBuy by February 26, 2026, and must remain firm for 90 days from bid opening. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with all binding agency responses posted as bid amendments to BidBuy. The State will award the contract to the highest priced responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specified criteria.

The solicitation includes a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) utilization plan requirement with a 5% participation goal for minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, and an aspirational goal of 30% participation for BEP-certified firms and 3% for service-disabled veteran and veteran-owned small businesses. Bidders must either self-perform as certified BEP or Veterans Business Program vendors or subcontract with certified diverse vendors, with failure to submit a completed utilization plan rendering the bid non-responsive. All vendors must comply with Standard Illinois Certifications covering 34 distinct requirements, including educational loan defaults, criminal convictions, debarment status, tax compliance, drug-free workplace standards, and domestic product sourcing preferences. Vendors are required to carry General Commercial Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Worker's Compensation Insurance as required by law. Bidders must submit vendor disclosure forms (either IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure or the standard Vendor Disclosure form) depending on their Illinois Procurement Gateway registration status. No specific incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided in the solicitation documents. A $15 Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative fee is required for bidders awarded contracts of $1,000 or more, though no specific budget amount or award value range is disclosed in the available documentation.