RFP for Solid Waste Franchise Development and Procurement Consulting Services

The City of Oakland Public Works Department is requesting proposals for professional consulting services to develop a solid waste franchise system framework and manage the subsequent procurement process, with proposals due July 31, 2026 and a voluntary pre-proposal meeting on July 14. The L/SLBE participation requirement has been adjusted to 0%, eliminating the standard 50% local business participation mandate.

The scope spans five phases over a five-year term: System Design and Stakeholder Engagement; Draft and Issue RFP(s) for residential and commercial collection, processing, transfer, compost, recycling, and bulky waste services; Evaluation and Negotiations; Contracting; and Contract Implementation. The consulting firm(s) will co-lead proposal evaluations, negotiations, and contract finalization. The framework must prioritize rate affordability and transparency, reduction in illegal dumping, and compliance with California state landfill diversion mandates.

Compensation is a not-to-exceed amount negotiated based on scope and fee schedule. Progress payments will not exceed 90% of the contract amount, with the final 10% retained pending successful completion of work. The City will withhold final payment as security.

Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: relevant experience (30 points), qualifications (20 points), organization (15 points), approach (20 points), cost/fee proposal (5 points), other factors (5 points), and L/SLBE participation (5 points). Contractors must comply with Oakland policies and ordinances including the Living Wage Ordinance (for contracts exceeding $25,000), Minimum Wage Ordinance, Equal Benefits Ordinance, Prompt Payment Ordinance, Arizona and Border Wall boycott requirements, Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance, and Campaign Contribution Limits. A current City of Oakland Business Tax Certificate, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured, and required compliance schedules are mandatory.

Questions are due July 16, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. PT. Short-listed firms are expected to be interviewed in August 2026, with contract award anticipated in December 2026.