Pennsylvania city publishes recycling RFQs

The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has published two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for the privatization of its waste- and recycling-related services. The solid waste consulting firm Gershman, Brickner & Bratton (GBB), Fairfax, Virginia, assisted the city with preparing the RFQs.

“After careful additional internal review of both RFQ documents, they are now published on the city's Purchasing Department Web page at www.allentownpa.gov/Finance/Purchasing/Bid-Advertisements,” says Bob Brickner, GBB executive vice president and project manager for the procurement assistance assignment.

The first RFQ is intended to select a short list of experienced contractors to provide the processing and marketing of curbside recyclables collected within Allentown, including at the city’s recycling drop-off center. The city says it is open to either a dual-stream or a single-stream processing system for its recyclables.

The city government also will work with the selected processor to develop the actual form and specifications of the city curbside collection program, both of which are expected to be implemented for terms of up to nine years, including potential contract extensions, according to GBB.

The deadline to submit responses to this RFQ is April 8, 2015.

A second RFQ issued by the city is for nonlandfill municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal alternatives. About 37,000 tons of MSW are generated in the city. Recently, the city terminated its agreement with Delta Thermo Energy LLC.

While the MSW currently goes to a landfill, the city continues to be open to evaluating nonlandfill-based options.

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Statements of qualifications for this RFQ are due to the city April 15, 2015, after which a shortlist of qualified firms will be selected.