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Council weighs RFP strategy for solid waste collection; Lewiston Street facility work eyed for MRF and digester pilot
Summary
City staff described a flexible RFP that would let bidders propose full-service or modular bids for collection/processing; discussion included the Lewiston Street site roof, salt shed, potential materials‑recovery facility (MRF) and ongoing digester talks with Amaresco.
Fall River City officials told the Committee of Finance they will issue a flexible request for proposals (RFP) for solid waste services that allows bidders to propose full-service contracts or to bid on discrete pieces (collection, transfer station operations, bulky collection) to preserve options and avoid rebidding if a single vendor does not bid on everything.
Why it matters: solid waste contracting is a high-dollar, multi-year service that affects household costs, municipal operations and potential revenue from recycling or disposal innovations. The committee also heard an update on the Lewiston Street municipal transfer station and discussions about a potential on-site digester and a materials-recovery facility (MRF).
Director of City Operations Al Oliver and staff described an RFP approach that uses a “menu” format: a bidder can propose to perform all services or submit discrete prices for collection, processing, or other components. Oliver said staff favors a full-service award if the price is competitive, but the menu approach protects the city if a single provider does not submit a complete bid.
On the Lewiston Street facility, the city has set aside funds to repair a long-unrepaired roof and address structural and paving issues. Oliver said the building’s stacks were taken down in 2010–2012 after burning moratoria; without that roof the building has deteriorated and requires steel‑forensics, structural rehabilitation, a new roof and interior cleanup before it could host a recycling operation.
Oliver said the city has discussed a digester with an energy service company (ESCO), Amaresco, and city administration: “The digester is the right thing to do… it won't eat trash per se, but the sludge that we're paying 3,000,000 to discard, elsewhere… That would take that.” He said initial plans would focus on internal sludge use and could expand to accept material from other communities if feasible. Oliver cautioned the city continues to evaluate technical and funding feasibility and is exploring grant opportunities to fund MRF equipment.
On contract‑termination exposure, councilors and staff discussed exit fees for an existing contract; staff reiterated they will pursue wide solicitation and reach out to likely vendors, and that the RFP will be designed to preserve the city’s options. No procurement award was made during the meeting.
Councilors asked about bulky-item handling (what is considered construction debris versus metal recycling), resident options for disposal (e.g., bringing items to Mid City Scrap) and the timeline for Lewiston Street work; staff said some site remediation and roof work is in the capital plan and that the city is pursuing phased improvements (roof/structure, drive/access redesign, salt shed replacement) and grant funding for processing equipment.
Administration did not commit to a timeline for an operational MRF or digester; staff said they will continue technical work and return with cost estimates and procurement steps when available.
