Recycling Processing Services

The City of Bradenton is seeking a comprehensive recycling processing services provider through Request for Proposal #25-037EJ, targeting a five-year contract with two optional one-year renewals. The procurement covers weekly curbside collection for residential customers using single-stream recycling carts, multi-family services utilizing dumpsters or compactors, and optional commercial customer services. The selected vendor will process recyclable materials including paper, plastics (#1-#7 containers), glass, metals, and aseptic cartons at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located within 10 miles of Bradenton. Key objectives include supporting municipal sustainability and waste diversion goals, with required monthly and annual reporting on tonnage collected, material composition, contamination rates, and diversion metrics. The proposal evaluation will be points-based, with 40% weight on qualifications and experience, 40% on project approach, and 20% on compensation. Critical dates include a proposal release on July 16, 2025, with responses due by August 13, 2025 at 2:30 pm, and an anticipated contract award on September 24, 2025.

The procurement appears open to qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The compensation model is complex, featuring a processing fee of $100 per ton with a revenue-sharing mechanism that adjusts based on the Average Market Value (AMV) of recyclables. Under the proposed structure, if the AMV exceeds the processing fee, the contractor pays the city 60% of the difference, while if the AMV falls below the processing fee, the city will compensate the contractor. Proposers must submit various required forms, including Florida business registration, drug-free workplace certification, and compliance with scrutinized companies regulations. While no incumbent vendor is specified, the RFP indicates an existing recycling infrastructure with weekly collection services and an established Materials Recovery Facility. The precise budget range is not explicitly stated, but the sample calculation suggests a monthly recyclable volume of 2,000 tons, which could provide a baseline for potential contract value estimations.