Solid Waste Transportation and Disposal Services

The City of Seattle, through Seattle Public Utilities, is soliciting proposals for a long-haul transportation and disposal services contract to manage non-recycled solid waste generated within the city, replacing the existing agreement. The selected contractor will be responsible for receiving compacted, containerized waste from SPU’s transfer stations and authorized customers, transporting it to approved disposal facilities, and returning empty containers to maintain inventory levels. Services must comply with all regulatory standards, prioritize public health and safety, and align with the city’s long-term waste management goals. The contract is estimated to range between $350 million and $450 million over its full term, which includes a 10-year base period with two optional five-year extensions exercisable at the city’s discretion. Proposals must be submitted electronically by July 29, 2026, via the city’s online procurement portal, and are evaluated using a best-value tradeoff process where non-price factors collectively carry more weight than price, emphasizing operational approach, cost realism, vendor experience, environmental sustainability, and inclusion of underrepresented businesses. Technical requirements are exclusively detailed in Appendix A, and proposers must reference it when responding to evaluation criteria. The contractor must provide rigid, leak-proof containers with a minimum 32-ton capacity, clearly marked with unique alphanumeric identifiers and equipped with tamper-evident seals, and operate scales compliant with NIST Handbook 44 to record and document all weighing transactions electronically. Waste must be disposed of within 96 hours, and performance is monitored through inspections conducted at the final disposal site, where the city retains the right to determine waste acceptability based on compliance, documentation, and laboratory testing. Special requirements include maintaining financial assurance for facility closure and post-closure care, submitting a living Operations Plan updated quarterly, ensuring prompt payment to subcontractors, and adhering to state hazardous materials labeling regulations. The contractor must also comply with cybersecurity standards, provide proof of local and state licensing, insurance, and tax compliance, and demonstrate workforce development and equity-focused hiring practices through a documented Inclusion Plan. All proposals must include a completed Vendor Questionnaire addressing potential disqualifying issues such as bankruptcy, debarment, criminal convictions, or past non-compliance with labor laws, and failure to adequately explain affirmative responses may result in bid rejection. The contract does not include federal FAR clauses or standardized military packaging standards, instead relying on municipal codes and Washington State regulations, and payment will be processed electronically via ACH, though specific banking details are not provided.