Yard Trim Acceptance, Processing, and Marketing Services

Howard County, Maryland is requesting bids for yard trim acceptance, processing, and marketing services under IFB 2026-40, with proposals due August 5, 2026. The scope includes receiving yard trim material via roll-off or packer-style vehicles in twine-bundled, paper-bagged, loose, or biodegradable-bagged forms, with no traditional plastic or non-biodegradable bagged material accepted, and processing and marketing that material at the contractor's facility.

For contracts valued at $50,000 or more, a 15% Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) subcontracting goal applies, including participation from minority business enterprises (MBE), women business enterprises (WBE), and disabled business enterprises (DBE). Certified MBE/WBE/DBE prime contractors may count 100% of self-performed work toward the goal. Contractors unable to achieve the 15% goal following documented good faith efforts must submit an EBO Program Request for Subcontracting Waiver form.

If the contract value exceeds $100,000 annually, the living wage requirement applies: contractors and subcontractors must pay covered employees an hourly wage of at least $19.83 per hour (125% of federal poverty guidelines for a family of four as of January 15, 2026). This requirement applies to service contracts and excludes commodity contracts, employers with fewer than five employees, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and certain exempt employee categories.

Bidders must submit three professional references demonstrating yard trim processing and marketing experience within the past three years and document total years providing these services. All bids must remain irrevocable for 120 days following opening and must be submitted electronically through the county's eProcurement system. Pricing must include F.O.B. Destination delivery with inside delivery; no additional procurement card fees are permitted. The County reserves the right to award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder or to Certified Local Businesses submitting competitive bids within 10 percent of the lowest bid. The County may terminate for convenience with 30 days' written notice or for default.