Processing and Marketing of Curbside and Commercially Collected Recyclables

The City of Tucson's Environmental Services Department is soliciting proposals for processing and marketing recyclable materials collected through its Single Stream Recycling Program, Neighborhood Recycling Centers, and commercial recycling programs. The procurement presents two potential scenarios for a Material Recovery Facility (MRF): a city-owned facility at the Los Reales Landfill or a contractor-owned and operated MRF. The contract will run for 15 years, from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2042, with options to renew for up to five additional one-year periods. Proposers must demonstrate the ability to process recyclable materials, capturing a minimum of 95% with residuals not exceeding 5% per working day, and be responsible for marketing these materials. The City will evaluate proposals based on four key criteria: price, method of approach, qualifications and experience, and performance history. A pre-submittal meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM, and proposal responses are due on January 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM local Arizona time. In fiscal year 2024, the City processed approximately 23,577 tons of recyclable materials.

The solicitation encourages participation from diverse businesses, with specific emphasis on compliance with federal regulations such as HUD Section 3 requirements, which mandate that 25% of labor hours be worked by Section 3 workers, with 5% specifically by Targeted Section 3 workers. The RFP includes provisions for minority and women-owned business enterprise participation and requires contractors to verify non-exclusion from federal contracts. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the current contract is set to expire on June 30, 2027. The proposed facility will be located at the Los Reales Sustainability Campus, which includes a 60,000 sq. ft. processing plant with a 70,000 sq. ft. tip floor and 122,700 sq. ft. of parking and bale storage. Although no explicit budget range is provided, the Price Page document indicates a complex pricing structure involving processing fees, revenue sharing, and a host fee for non-city tons, suggesting significant financial complexity in the contract. Contractors must also comply with various federal guidelines, including Buy America compliance, workplace safety regulations, and environmental protection standards.