City of Port St. Lucie requesting proposals from qualified solid waste collection and transportation vendors

At the Special Council Meeting on March 21, City Council directed staff to conduct a competitive procurement solicitation process. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for Solid Waste Collection Services was released March 29 for vendors, through a competitive bidding process, which must be submitted before April 12.

The City intends to evaluate the proposals based on technical merit, experience and price and to choose a service provider whose proposal provides the best value to the City. The proposals are used to evaluate the vendor and then award a contract.

The last time the solid waste contract was up for bid was 2006, when it was awarded to Waste Pro. Under the current agreement, single-family homes in Port St. Lucie pay $281.92 a year for twice per week garbage collection, once a week recycling collection and unlimited bulk and yard waste collection. The new proposal, out for bid, is for a once-per-week automated garbage and recycling collection, in addition to a yard and bulky waste pick-up for an estimated 81,000 residential customer accounts and 1,100 businesses. Based on the current bid market rate, the annual rate could increase.

“To provide adequate services to residents and minimize service disruptions, we are managing a competitive process and tight procurement schedule intending to select two new vendors in the upcoming weeks,” said Office of Management and Budget Director Caroline Sturgis.

As part of the RFP process, a selection committee will meet to review the vendor proposals. The committee’s recommendations are scheduled to be presented to City Council for awards at the end of April.

Learn more about the City’s solid waste program at www.cityofpsl.com/solidwaste