Leaf and yard waste grinding and removal services

The Town of Manchester, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, is seeking a contractor for Leaf and Yard Waste Grinding and Removal Services through Invitation to Bid #22/23-33. The procurement involves processing and removing approximately 35,000 cubic yards of leaves and 5,328 tons of yard waste collected from residential curbside collection and deposited at the town's Landfill and Transfer Station campus at 311 Olcott Street. Key contractor responsibilities include on-site grinding of yard waste, material removal, providing a front-end loader with an operator, and supplying up to 2,000 cubic yards of finished compost for resident use. The contract term is from the award date through March 31, 2024, with potential yearly extensions for up to three additional years. Bids are due by 11:00 am on March 8, 2023, and will be opened virtually via Zoom. Evaluation criteria include unit costs for grinding, removing, and disposing of yard waste, with provisions for annual price adjustments based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Bidders must demonstrate compliance with federal and state safety standards and provide comprehensive insurance coverage.

The procurement includes a Living Wage Ordinance requiring contractors with service contracts exceeding $25,000 to pay eligible employees a living wage of $15.34 per hour with comprehensive health care benefits or $23.35 per hour without such benefits. Vendors must complete a Living Wage Certification Form indicating their compliance status, with exemptions possible for nonprofits, employers with fewer than 25 eligible employees, or contracts valued under $25,000. The town reserves the right to terminate the contract with 90 days' written notice and to reject any or all bids. While specific award value is not explicitly stated, the volume of yard waste (35,000 cubic yards and 5,328 tons) suggests a substantial contract opportunity. The procurement does not specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, and no information about incumbent vendors is provided. Interested contractors must carefully review the bid documents, ensure compliance with municipal requirements, and be prepared to demonstrate operational capabilities for processing and removing yard waste efficiently.