City of Vancouver to issue competitive RFP for recyclables processing as MRF relocation plans advance

City of Vancouver staff told the committee they plan to release a competitive request for proposals for recyclable processing (MRF services) by the end of August and expect a three‑month procurement window to allow proposers time to perform due diligence if they are considering new facilities.

Will Elder, environmental services manager for the City of Vancouver, said the city began but was unable to finish negotiations with the incumbent processor and decided a public procurement was needed to test the market and give elected officials a defensible recommendation. “We realized that we needed to do a competitive procurement,” Elder said, adding staff want to allow proposers who may be considering new facilities the time to evaluate sites and costs.

Committee members asked about contract length and capital recovery for the MRF if a new facility is built. Will Elder said county policy limits county contracts to 10 years absent special procurement authority and that the city declined long‑term terms proposed in previous negotiations. He said capital cost recovery timelines are a key factor proposers will evaluate and that a transparent RFP and draft contract language should give proposers clarity.

Josh Brown, representing Waste Connections, said any proposer would need the RFP and draft contract to understand expected terms. City staff said they will include draft contract language and scope in the RFP, and that staff expect to evaluate proposals in November and negotiate over the winter.

Staff said they will update SWAC in November on RFP progress and will bring negotiation outcomes to elected officials for approval. No procurement award or contract was approved at the meeting.