Torrington Transfer Station: MSW & Recycling Management & Operations

The Torrington Transfer Station, historically operated by the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) until its recent dissolution, is currently under temporary oversight by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Several municipalities in Northwest Connecticut are motivated to maintain the facility as a public asset. The Northern Regional Resource Authority (NRRA) is considering acquiring and managing the transfer station to ensure continued, self-sustaining operation beyond the existing contracts currently in place, which expire June 30, 2027. This Request for Information (RFI), issued by the Northwest Hills Council of Governments and open from November 4, 2025, through December 15, 2026, seeks insights into the feasibility of NRRA’s acquisition and operational management of the station in a cost-effective and sustainable manner after that date. The solicitation does not represent a formal procurement but rather a preliminary effort to gather operational and financial information to guide future decisions. It does not include specific contract clauses, pricing data, or detailed evaluation factors, reflecting its nature as an RFI focused on market research and feasibility analysis. The scope is centered on sustaining municipal solid waste (MSW) and recycling management services in the region, with current contracts involving municipalities, haulers, recyclers, a facility operator, and a scale operator remaining active until mid-2027. No formal standard terms, key personnel requirements, or special contract provisions are stipulated at this stage. Inspection and acceptance are anticipated to take place onsite at the Torrington Transfer Station, though no concrete technical or quality standards are specified. The primary contact for responses and inquiries is Robert Phillips of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments. Overall, the document frames a public-sector transition scenario, seeking input to support a transition plan for local recycling and waste processing services under NRRA management after state interim operations conclude.