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HomeMy WebLinkAboutQuestions Related to SWD Organics Processing RFQQ & A for RFQ Sustainable Organics Management Processing Services Q: The RFQ states that the processor should "produce a finished stabilized product compliant with compost regulations and quality standards." Can you be more specific as to what standards and regulations you are referring to? Is this as defined by MT DEQ, USCC, STA, CMA, OMRI, other? Will the finished material be tested to ensure compliance? If so, who will manage and pay for the testing? A: Under section of Processing of Organic Waste, it states to conform to the definition of composting as defined by the US Composting Council. The City will manage and pay for the testing. Q: Could you elaborate on the following statement and give an example of how this would apply? "The Respondents, by submitting a response to this RFQ, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFQ." A: The city declines to elaborate, please seek legal guidance for further interpretation. An example of applying this clause would be that the respondent agrees to respect the city’s selection and not protest on the grounds of the respondent’s non-selection. Q: Will there be compost facility access for the contractor outside of the stated times "Monday - Friday, 7am to 5pm for permissible hours of operation"? A: No, we do have neighbors and we want to be good neighbors. Q: I'm wondering if you could clarify the statement; "Contractor will use the City composting processing area for owner customer materials only. Private haulers, or other customers working with Contractor, are not permitted to use location for drop-off of material without permission following check in and subsequent payment at the Scale house." Who is the "owner"? Is that Bozeman Solid Waste? Does this mean that any materials that YES Compost collects from existing customers will not be allowed to be processed at the city compost processing area? Or will YES (and associated hauling partners) just need to use the scale each time we (they) bring in material? A: Only the contractor can haul material that will be permitted to by-pass the scale. No public will be allowed to bring feedstocks into the facility and by-pass the scale house. The only material that the public can drop off is that which is listed acceptable by the County and will have to pay the tipping fees required by the County. Q: Can you clarify the statement "Contractor shall process all feedstocks within 10 weeks." Does this mean feedstocks must be integrated into the composting process within 10 weeks, or that a stable compost product must be produced from the feedstocks within 10 weeks of the material being tipped at the site? A: The latter is correct, all feedstocks must be composted within 10 weeks of the material being tipped at the site. Q: Contamination: Will the drivers be instructed to reject contaminated loads on-site. A: In the beginning of the program, we will be monitoring each bin by using a rear- load collection truck. We will take the time to remove contaminates and educate the public at their residence. Q & A for RFQ Sustainable Organics Management Processing Services Q: Or will all material from organics bins be hauled and tipped at the city's compost site for review by the contractor prior to processing? A: Reviewing the load will also be available to us as we unload. Obviously, a single item like a plastic bottle will not warrant a rejection of an entire 10-ton load. As we move into fully automated organics collection equipment, there will be times that contamination will arise. We can deal with it case by case. Q: Who will define the "acceptable" level in the statement: "level of contamination can be brought to an acceptable level by minimal and safe hand sorting or picking." the contractor, or the city? A: Typically, the contractor brings the level of contamination within acceptable specs. What we can do is provide disposal containers for contamination items. Q: Will the food scrap that is hauled from MSU by Bozeman Solid waste as well as any other commercial locations be included in the contract, or will this contract only be material from residential addresses from Bozeman Solid Waste customers? A: We no longer haul MSU Food Scraps. Our direction given by our City Commission is to focus on residential organics program. Q: Are there any annual tonnage limitations for feedstocks and/or compost products produced associated with the DEQ permit for the city's compost processing area? A: We have a Minor Class IV License. The limitations will be the processing area and we have restrictions of the types of feedstocks we accept. The feedstocks are identified in the RFQ. Q: Will respondents to the RFQ be required to currently hold or have held a stand-alone composting permit with DEQ in order to be eligible to enter into contract with the city for processing the organics? A: No, but an operation plan will need to be filed with DEQ with the City’s existing License. Q: Is there any site improvement planned for the processing facility, or would it be up to the contractor to rework if necessary? I'm mostly asking in regard to the working pad and the drainage of the area. A: We do not have any specific site improvements planned. We would work with the contractor to identify any areas of concern. There are some limitations on the site, it does have waste below grade and is up against a landfill cell. Any site improvements would have to be approved by the City. Q: Is there a possibility of a site visit to see the shape of things or would that be post RFQ. A: Post RFQ Q: Would group tours/visitors be allowed to the compost site during open hours as long as they check in with the scale house. A: Yes, the City just needs to be aware of the event.