Solid Waste Services

The City of Cincinnati is seeking proposals for comprehensive solid waste services through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Department of Public Services. The procurement targets a four-year contract beginning March 1, 2026, with potential for three additional one-year extensions, focusing on solid waste management services including container rental, pickup for city-owned facilities, landfill/tipping site operations, and waste disposal. Key deliverables include managing waste for multiple city departments such as Health, Fire, Water Works, Sewer District, Police, Fleet Services, Parks, and others, with specific requirements for container sizes, pickup frequencies, and disposal methods. Proposals are due by 12:00 PM ET on November 6, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through the city's Bonfire portal. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: price (40%), experience and expertise (25%), landfill location (20%), responsiveness (10%), and innovative waste reduction technologies (5%), with a strong emphasis on environmental compliance and operational efficiency.

The RFP includes mandatory subcontracting inclusion goals of 12% for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and 13% for Women Business Enterprises (WBE), indicating a commitment to diverse vendor participation. Potential bidders must comply with rigorous vendor screening processes, including comprehensive disclosure of corporate history, legal status, and past performance, with requirements to report any legal issues from the past ten years. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the extensive scope covering multiple city departments suggests a significant procurement opportunity. All solid waste must be delivered to licensed sanitary landfills, and contractors must adhere to local, state, and federal waste handling and disposal regulations. Vendors are required to provide detailed information about their organizational structure, business history, and corporate compliance, demonstrating the city's thorough approach to selecting a qualified solid waste services provider.