RFI Cardboard Collection, Hauling and Recycling

The Town of Bedford, located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry expertise regarding cardboard collection, hauling, and recycling solutions for their municipal recycling center. The RFI is designed to gather information, advice, and best practices from private vendors, contractors, consultants, researchers, and other industry experts to help develop a future solicitation for managing source-separated cardboard. Specifically, the town is exploring solutions for handling increasing cardboard volumes at their recycling center located at 108 Carlisle Road, with a focus on collection containers, transportation methods, and processing technologies. The RFI seeks information on various options including dumpsters, roll-off containers, compactors, balers, and potential collection and hauling services. The procurement is seeking an interim solution to manage cardboard volumes for 1-5 years, with the ultimate goal of implementing a stationary compactor. The RFI response deadline is February 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with submissions accepted via email to the Town's Trash and Recycling Administrator or through an online form on the town website.

The RFI does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, indicating an open competition for potential solutions. The town currently uses three 8-yard slant-front dumpsters with twice-weekly collection and is considering both contractor services and equipment purchase options that would allow self-hauling by Highway Department staff. While no specific budget range is mentioned, the town is exploring cost-effective solutions to manage cardboard, including covered roll-off containers, portable compactors, and custom hook-lift truck bodies that can protect cardboard from moisture damage. The document explicitly states that this RFI is for information gathering only and does not commit the Town of Bedford to any future contracts or purchases. Potential respondents should focus on innovative solutions that address the town's specific needs for cardboard management, with an emphasis on efficiency, moisture protection, and scalability to handle increasing recycling volumes.