Zero Waste Muni Plan with Composting Expansion Pilot

The City of Pittsburgh, Office of Management and Budget, on behalf of the Departments of City Planning and Public Works, is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consulting services to develop a comprehensive Zero Waste Municipal Plan with Composting Expansion capabilities. The procurement seeks qualified businesses to deliver an updated Zero Waste strategic plan that enhances existing waste operations, provides detailed cost estimations for infrastructure improvements, and establishes a phased municipal composting program. Specific deliverables include an updated Zero Waste plan with actionable goals and cost estimates; educational and outreach materials for internal workforce training and external community engagement; recommendations for a Greater Pittsburgh Resource Recovery Station with infrastructure upgrades and site plans; and an implementable composting pilot program serving approximately 500 households across a Pittsburgh corridor or network of neighborhoods. The composting pilot component carries a separate budget of $22,000. Proposals must include detailed cost breakdowns delineated by major phase and deliverable, hourly rates for all proposed staff, and estimated hours by task, with reimbursable expenses not to exceed GSA rates for Pittsburgh. The evaluation committee will score proposals based on firm qualifications and experience (15 percent), qualifications of the project team (15 percent), project approach and plan (30 percent), cost proposal (30 percent), and MWDBE/veteran-owned/LGBTQIA+-owned good faith effort (10 percent). A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM via Microsoft Teams, written questions must be submitted by March 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM, and proposals are due electronically by March 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM through the City's e-Procurement Portal, with contract award anticipated in April 2026.

The City requires good faith efforts to obtain participation from Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), veteran-owned small businesses, and LGBTQIA+-owned small businesses, with target participation goals of 18 percent MBE, 7 percent WBE, 5 percent veteran-owned, and 3 percent LGBTQIA+-owned participation; respondents must complete and submit the MWDBE/Veteran-Owned/LGBTQIA+ Solicitation and Commitment Form demonstrating good faith efforts. The City has established baseline frameworks through existing initiatives including the SoilMillPGH composting project, the Recycle Source Materials Recovery Facility currently processing recyclables at $68 per ton, and existing yard waste composting facilities and drop-off recycling centers throughout Allegheny County; proposing firms should leverage or integrate with these existing resources and infrastructure. The RFP does not specify an overall contract award value; however, the separate composting pilot budget of $22,000 is established, and cost proposals will be weighted at 30 percent of the evaluation criteria, suggesting cost competitiveness is a significant factor in the selection process. Proposals remain effective for 120 days from the submission deadline, and the City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, cancel the RFP, negotiate with select proposers, or award to the firm presenting the best qualifications without further discussion.