RFP for Pollution Prevention & Food Waste Reduction TAP

Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is requesting proposals for a Pollution Prevention and Food Waste Reduction Technical Assistance Program under RFP 260000002460, with proposals due September 16, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern and questions due August 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

The contractor will provide no-cost technical assistance to Michigan's food and beverage manufacturing and processing industry over a one-year contract period (October 15, 2026 through October 14, 2027). Key Personnel must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in industrial process audits and food waste, energy, and water expertise; at least two experienced personnel are required, with one actively involved in on-site assessments. Unauthorized removal of Key Personnel without written State consent triggers credits of $25,000 per individual, plus potential penalties up to $3,000 per individual for failure to provide required 30-day shadowing periods.

Primary deliverables include two listening sessions and one roundtable meeting, webpage content for EGLE's P2 and Food Waste Reduction website, an outreach and educational toolbox, technical assessments to a cohort of 10–15 Michigan food and beverage facilities (including pre-assessment meetings, one on-site visit per facility, and follow-up assistance at 2-week, 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals), a minimum of four case studies, and a minimum of four educational webinars or workshops. All deliverables must be ADA-compliant and peer-reviewed. The State allows one out-of-state conference and two in-state conferences with pre-approval.

EGLE will evaluate proposals on a 100-point technical scale across General Requirements (15 points), Project Plan (25 points), Reporting (10 points), Key Personnel (25 points), and Vendor Questions Worksheet (25 points). Proposals must achieve a minimum score of 80 points to proceed to pricing evaluation. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the best value. Contracts valued at $250,000 or more require State Administrative Board approval.

The RFP is subject to federal provisions including Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act compliance, debarment verification through SAM, Byrd Anti-Lobbying Certification for awards exceeding $100,000, procurement of EPA-designated recovered materials where practicable, and prohibition on covered telecommunications equipment under the McCain Act. Pricing is firm for the entire contract term. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and automobile liability of $1,000,000 per accident.