Study on the Availability of Postconsumer Recycled Plastic in the Market, DRR26039

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, also known as CalRecycle, has issued a Secondary Request for Proposal, solicitation number DRR26039, for a study on the availability of postconsumer recycled plastic in the market. The objective of this contract is to conduct market research to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of meeting postconsumer recycled plastic content standards for beverage containers as mandated by Public Resources Code Section 14547. The selected contractor will collect and analyze data to substantiate the achievability of these standards, identify market barriers, and determine the long-term economic impacts on the plastic manufacturing and recycling industries. The project is expected to span twenty-four months, beginning in January 2027 and ending in December 2028, with key deliverables including a finalized work plan, a data governance protocol, and annual reports for two years. Proposals are due by 2:00 pm on December 16, 2026, and must be submitted through the electronic Vendor Submission Portal. The award will be based on a high score evaluation, with points weighted across methodology, experience, and cost. To be considered responsive, bidders must meet minimum technical thresholds of 32 points for experience and 42 points for methodology. The solicitation includes specific incentives for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise participation and requires various certifications, including the Iran Contracting Act and Darfur Contracting Act forms. All digital deliverables must comply with WCAG 2.2 Level AA and Section 508 accessibility standards. Invoices are to be submitted electronically in arrears to the designated contract payment email.