RFQ CLOTHING CONTAINERS AND COLLECTION

The Town of Bedford Department of Public Works is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide and manage a clothing collection program at three municipal locations: the Bedford Recycling Center, Bedford High School, and Lane Elementary School. The contract spans a two-year term from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028. The selected contractor must provide weather-resistant, secure, anti-theft, and tamper-proof containers, placing at least two at each school and one at the recycling center. Key operational requirements include emptying containers at least once per week or when they reach 80 percent capacity, maintaining a 15-foot clean radius around each bin, and repairing or replacing damaged units within seven calendar days. All services must strictly comply with MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans to ensure textiles are diverted from the municipal solid waste stream. Awarding will be based on the highest responsive and responsible bidder offering the highest total revenue to the Town over the life of the contract. Minimum qualifications for bidders include three consecutive years of experience operating municipal textile recycling programs in Massachusetts, three current municipal references, and a dedicated commercial contract or ownership of a processing facility capable of handling MassDEP waste ban materials. The contractor is required to make quarterly payments to the Town via check, accompanied by weight slips or accounting of materials collected by location. Bidders must also provide proof of comprehensive general liability, auto liability, and personal injury insurance, naming the Town of Bedford as an additional insured. Proposals are due by October 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM.