Annual Contract for Biomedical and Hazardous Waste Pickup and Disposal

Tarrant County is seeking qualified vendors to provide scheduled and unscheduled pickup and disposal of biomedical and hazardous waste for the Public Health Department and the Medical Examiner’s Office under a twelve-month contract, with the possibility of two additional twelve-month renewals at the County’s option, subject to vendor agreement. All pricing must remain firm for the full contract term, and bids are evaluated on a lowest responsive bidder basis, with full compliance with the County’s HUB policy required as a pass/fail gate—failure to demonstrate good faith effort renders a bid non-responsive. The contractor must handle multiple regulated waste streams including DNA extraction cartridges, formalin, paraffin, xylene, spent acids and solvents, and liquid waste from public health laboratories, using DOT-approved containers that meet strict specifications such as 40 lb capacity one-piece self-lock cardboard boxes and 31-gallon plastic medical waste containers with designated dimensions. All waste must be transported to authorized disposal facilities in full compliance with RCRA, EPA, TCEQ, and Texas Administrative Code regulations, with proper EPA manifests provided at pickup and the generator copy delivered within thirty days. Waste pickups follow a fixed schedule across multiple locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding areas, with some services requiring will-call pickup twice or thrice annually, and all waste must be collected within five business days of scheduling. Vendors are required to supply all necessary materials including biohazard bags and proper labeling for each pickup location, with all fees—including fuel surcharges—incorporated into the quoted unit price. Personnel must pass criminal background checks at the County’s expense, with detailed documentation including driver’s license and social security card submitted for each individual. The vendor must indemnify the County against all claims, maintain records accessible for audit for twelve months after final payment, and ensure all data remains within the 48 contiguous U.S. states if any IT systems are involved. Invoices must be submitted to the Tarrant County Auditor’s Office via mail or email, fully itemized with purchase order numbers, and payment is governed by the Prompt Payment Act, issued within thirty days of invoice or delivery, whichever is later. Failure to meet specifications may result in termination, and any assignment of the contract requires written consent from the Tarrant County Purchasing Agent. Bidders must also certify they are not debarred, do not boycott Israel or energy companies, are not engaged with sanctioned foreign nations, and do not discriminate against firearm industry entities in accordance with Texas state law.