Prison Composting Program

The City of Philadelphia Department of Prisons is soliciting proposals for organic waste collection, composting operations, and community composting services under a Small Order Purchase (SOP) contract, with proposals due June 29, 2026 and services beginning July 1, 2026.

The scope encompasses collecting organic waste from four PDP facilities (Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Riverside Correctional Facility, Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, and Detention Center) on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule; transporting materials to the centralized composting facility at 8215 Torresdale Avenue; and operating and maintaining the existing aerated static pile composting system. The contractor must provide composting education and hands-on training for incarcerated participants, support a vocational certification program administered through a partnering local university with a minimum of two formal instructional cohorts annually, and manage a community composting program including identifying and servicing drop-off locations. Qualified proposers must demonstrate experience operating composting facilities, knowledge of aerated static pile systems, understanding of environmental and regulatory compliance, and experience managing programs involving correctional facilities and incarcerated workers.

The maximum contract value is $94,000 for a one-year term (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), with renewal options for up to three additional one-year periods not to exceed four years total. The purchase order will be available mid-July 2026. Payment is made by electronic deposit only upon delivery and City approval, with the contractor responsible for Workers' Compensation insurance at statutory limits, General Liability insurance with a minimum $500,000 per occurrence, and Automobile Liability insurance with a minimum $300,000 per occurrence, naming the City as an additional insured.

Quotes must be submitted electronically through PHLContracts with a completed Consent and Authorization Agreement. Local Business Enterprise (LBE) bid preferences under Philadelphia Code Chapter 17-109 apply. An LGBTQ Applicant Data Form is available for voluntary submission to identify LGBTQ-owned and LGBTBE-certified vendors.