Trash Collection, Hauling, and Disposal Services in Monterey County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Division of Procurement and Contracts, issued Invitation for Bid (IFB #05A2968) for trash collection, hauling, and disposal services in Monterey County. The primary deliverable is comprehensive waste management services for the Salinas Maintenance Station, including weekly pickups (minimum once per week, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., excluding state legal holidays) of one 30-cubic-yard bin for general trash and one 4-cubic-yard bin for recycling. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, bins, travel, and associated costs, with separate pricing required for four line items: 156 scheduled pickups of the 30-cubic-yard bin, 156 scheduled pickups of the 4-cubic-yard bin, 15 on-call pickups of the 30-cubic-yard bin, and 15 on-call pickups of the 4-cubic-yard bin. All costs, including disposal fees, taxes, insurance, and travel, must be incorporated into unit prices with no additional compensation for travel time or dry runs. Bidders must possess a valid Motor Carrier Permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles at bid submittal and maintain it throughout the contract period. Written questions are due April 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with bid submissions required by April 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a bid opening at 2:30 p.m. The estimated award date is May 14, 2026, and the contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. Contractors must comply with Senate Bill 1383 organic waste recycling requirements and maintain specified insurance coverage including general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability of $1,000,000, and workers' compensation insurance.

This procurement includes set-aside designations and preferences for disadvantaged businesses: a 5 percent small business or micro-business preference applies to certified firms with a maximum preference cap of $50,000, and a disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) incentive of 5 percent applies to bidders with verified 100 percent DVBE participation, with a dollar cap of $100,000 for all combined incentives and preferences. All bidders must submit the Darfur Contracting Act Certification and California Civil Rights Laws Certification with their proposals and provide certificates of insurance within 10 days of award. The contract may be terminated for default, for cause, or for any reason with 30 days' written notice, and the contractor shall be liable for the difference between its bid price and actual costs if work is not commenced as agreed. No incumbent vendor or existing infrastructure integration requirements are specified in the solicitation documents. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the solicitation package; however, bidders are required to submit separate unit pricing for each of the four line items covering the estimated three-year service period.