Recycling Zone Plus Labor Contract

Request for Proposal: Household Hazardous Waste
Management Services at The Recycling Zone Plus
Release Date: September 30, 2026
Proposal Due Date: October 21, 2026, 4 PM CST
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department
Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
For additional information please contact:
Kristi Otterson, Household Hazardous Waste Unit Supervisor
kristi.otterson@co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7547

Request for Proposal: Household Hazardous Waste Management Services at The Recycling Zone Plus ................. 1
TaINbTRleO DoUf CCToIOnNt AeNnDt sP ROGRAM DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................. 3
A. General Background .................................................................................................................................... 3
SCOPE OF SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................. 6
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTRACTOR .................................................................................................. 7
A. Contact Person ............................................................................................................................................ 7
B. Questions ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
C. Addenda/Clarifications ................................................................................................................................. 8
D. Examination of Proposal Documents .......................................................................................................... 8
E. Pre-Contractual Expenses ........................................................................................................................... 8
F. Contract Award ............................................................................................................................................ 8
G. Public Records and Requests for Confidentiality ........................................................................................ 8
H. Joint Offers .................................................................................................................................................. 9
I. Dakota County Rights .................................................................................................................................. 9
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL ................................................................................................................................. 9
A. Pre-Proposal Meeting .................................................................................................................................. 9
B. Queries and Primary Contact Person .......................................................................................................... 9
C. RFP Clarifications and Addenda ................................................................................................................. 9
D. Proposal Submittal ...................................................................................................................................... 9
E. Proposal Format .......................................................................................................................................... 9
F. Proposal Contents ..................................................................................................................................... 10
TIMELINE AND BUDGET ....................................................................................................................................... 11
A. Program Timeline ...................................................................................................................................... 11
B. Budget and Payment ................................................................................................................................. 11
PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................................................... 11
ATTACHMENT A: PRICE PROPOSAL FORM ....................................................................................................... 12
ATTACHMENT B: STANDARD ASSURANCES ..................................................................................................... 13
ATTACHMENT C: INSURANCE TERMS ............................................................................................................... 16
ATTACHMENT D: SAMPLE CONTRACT .............................................................................................................. 18
ATTACHMENT E: NON-COLLUSION AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT......................................... 26
ATTACHMENT F: TRADE SECRET FORM ........................................................................................................... 27
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INTRODUCTION AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
A. General Background
This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks a qualified Contractor to provide comprehensive on-site labor services for
the Dakota County Recycling Zone Plus (RZP). The selected Contractor will provide the staff to perform all
necessary Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) services, including on-site sorting, processing, packaging, and
short-term storage of the collected waste. The selected Contractor will also provide temporary labor as needed to
assist Dakota County staff in the recycling drop-off area and reuse room.
B. Program Description
Dakota County is partnering with Scott County to open a new Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling
Facility called the Recycling Zone Plus (RZP). This facility is projected to open in the spring of 2027 and will
collect household hazardous waste (paint, electronics, pesticides, batteries, etc.), recycling (cardboard,
containers, scrap metal, tires, etc.), new recycling services for appliances and mattresses, and a Very Small
Quantity Generator (VSQG) business program.
The RZP will be staffed with a combination of Dakota County employees and contractor employees. Dakota
County on-site staff will include:
* HHW Site Supervisor: responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the RZP.
* HHW Technicians (3 positions): responsible for the check-in booth, collecting participant data and
fees, recycling drop-off area, and reuse stocking.
* HHW Unit staff, including the HHW Unit Supervisor, and two Environmental Specialists will be officed
at the RZP.
The RZP in under construction at the time both parties are entering into this Contract; work under this
Contract shall not commence until the County Provides notice that the facility is operational.
2027 RZP projections:
Participation
* Households 44,000
* VSQGs 350
Material
* Reuse 266,000 lbs.
* Cardboard and mixed containers 175 tons
* Scrap metal 225 tons
* Tires 33,000 lbs.
* Electronics 699,000 lbs.
* HHW 882,000 lbs.
* Appliances 5,200 each
* Mattresses 3,000 each
Daily Peak Participant Estimates
Peak Participant estimates are based off HHW and recycling data gathered at Recycling Zone in Eagan
Weekday: Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Participants per 46 39 37 44
hour
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Location:10125 217th St, Lakeville, MN 55044
Hours open to the public:
Wednesday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM
Contractor staff will be expected on site 1 hour before opening to the public to prepare for collection or
shipments and 1 hour after collection to complete activities associated with materials management.
Facility Preoperational Schedule
Item Date
Anticipated Certificate of Occupancy February 2027
Building Open to Contractor Mid-February to March 2027
Soft Launch Prior to Public Launch
Public Launch Spring 2027
Background
Dakota County is home to more than 447,000 people and another 156,000 people live in Scott County.
Combined, the counties hold more than ten percent of the state's population. Each county operates a
HHW and recycling facility to provide opportunities for residents to keep hazardous waste and recyclables
out of landfills and the environment. The two existing HHW facilities properly manage nearly 7 million
pounds of material each year from more than 80,000 residents. The existing facilities are already
undersized and are not designed to handle expected growth. More information on Dakota County's existing
facility can be found here: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/recycling-waste/recycling-zone-
locations/recycling-zone and on Scott County's facility can be found here:
https://www.scottcountymn.gov/578/Household-Hazardous-Waste.
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Site Layout
Staffing Breakdown HHW Building
*Site and building layouts shown above are subject to change
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SCOPE OF SERVICES
A. Contract overview
Dakota County, State of Minnesota ("County") is soliciting responses for Household Hazardous Waste
(HHW) Management Services("Contractor") at the Recycling Zone Plus (RZP). This solicitation is only for
labor at the RZP.
B. Outcomes/expectations
Provide the adequate number of staff to perform the following:
Provide excellent service for Dakota County, Scott County and other metro county residents.
o
Unload HHW from vehicles at the RZP.
o
Assist Dakota County staff with the VSQG Program.
o
Conduct management of HHW and VSQG hazardous waste on site to include sorting,
o
processing, packaging, and short-term storage of the collected waste.
Prepare waste for transportation and processing/disposal of HHW and VSQG hazardous waste
o
using only vendors specifically approved by the County.
Identify and separate usable household products for the reuse room.
o
C. Primary tasks/services/deliverables
* Primary tasks include:
HHW collection and management services at the RZP.
o
* Primary services include:
Unloading, collecting, sorting, packaging, properly storing, and preparing shipments of HHW and
o
VSQG business hazardous waste.
Identifying usable products and sorting for the reuse room.
o
* Resulting deliverables include:
Providing timely service and practicing excellent customer service to RZP participants.
o
Reporting and detailed invoicing for services provided.
o
As needed, providing temporary labor for the recycling drop-off area and reuse room.
o
D. Staffing and services
* Waste collection
Contractor shall provide personnel trained, in accordance with the State HHW Program Contract, at
o
the RZP.
Contractor shall provide a level of staffing adequate to service participants in a timely manner;
o
staffing levels will be coordinated with the County.
Contractor will manage safe, clean drive-up lanes and unloading area for county participants.
o
Contractor will collect only acceptable materials as determined by Dakota County.
o
* Waste processing
Contractor will package, prepare HHW and VSQG business hazardous waste for management only by
Dakota County disposal contract vendors in accordance with guidelines provided by the County, and
apply Federal and Minnesota DOT, MPCA, and other applicable regulations unless otherwise specified
by the County.
* Reporting
Contractor will summarize monthly operations and submit a report along with the detailed monthly
invoice to the County.
* VSQG collection
Contractor will package VSQG business hazardous waste for disposal and provide hazardous waste
assistance as needed.
* Additional requirements
Contractor will assist in preoperational setup of the facility's chemical sorting area, flammable
o
labpacking area, and unloading area prior to the official opening of the services to the public.
Contractor shall be responsible for collecting and managing hazardous waste abandoned at or in
o
the vicinity of the RZP.
Contractor will divert usable HHW to the greatest degree possible for reuse. Contractor will assist
o
with stocking and managing inventory of those materials in the reuse room when needed.
Contractor will meet regularly with County staff to review operations and promptly notify County
o
staff of any changes to normal operations.
E. Responder qualifications
* The responder must have 3 years of demonstrated experience in hazardous waste management,
preferably supporting clients of a similar size and population.
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* At least one person in a leadership role must have at least 3 years of experience in HHW collection.
* Adequate staff to meet the RZP daily needs.
* Staff trained according to MPCA requirements
F. Dakota County
* Dakota County will provide Contractor staff with access to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
storage room, multi-purpose/breakroom, restrooms, and shower facilities.
* County responsibilities
Provide a comprehensive public education program to publicize hours of operation including
o
types of waste and recycling accepted at the site, and to provide information to the public on
options for managing specific types of HHW and VSQG business hazardous waste.
Register the participants' address, record materials dropped off and collect disposal fees.
o
Manage the VSQG business program, schedule drop-offs, and collect fees.
o
County will provide the following training:
o
Customer service expectations
Electronics acceptance and sorting
Recycling acceptance and sorting
Food scraps acceptance
Procedures for items not accepted
Training for forklifts and wheel loader
Facility operations manual or County provided training
Procedures for opening/closing and operating compactors and other equipment
County will provide all equipment at the facility used for the HHW and VSQG business program,
o
including spare parts and tools inventory, devices used for moving equipment and material
(forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, etc.), office furniture, shelving, unused packaging supplies and
containers, storage containers, safety equipment, scales, and computer equipment for recording
weights of materials for shipping and reuse.
Quote specifications
* Pricing: Complete ATTACHEMENT A: PRICE PROPOSAL FORM for the items listed below. The
prices shall remain fixed for the entire term of the contract and shall encompass all applicable fees
Labor type
o
Labor hourly rates
o
Labor hours
o
Billing, invoicing, and reporting
The Contractor shall submit one detailed invoice monthly, in arrears, to billing address on the contract with
an electronic copy to the county contact that includes each service provided. Invoices shall identify:
* Dates of service
* Itemized and total cost
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTRACTOR
A. Contact Person
The Contractor's sole point of contact for this RFP is:
Kristi Otterson, Household Hazardous Waste Unit Supervisor
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
kristi.otterson@co.dakota.mn.us
Phone: 952-891-7547
Fax: 952-891-7588
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B. Questions
Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email and must be received no later than October 8,
2026.
Responses to the questions submitted will be posted on the County's website no later than October 14, 2026,
at Doing Business - Request For Bids, Proposals and Information:
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/DoingBusiness/BidProposalsInformation/Pages/default.aspx
C. Addenda/Clarifications
Any revisions or modifications to the RFP shall be made by County staff in a written addendum and posted
on the County's website at Doing Business - Request for Bids, Proposals and Information at
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/DoingBusiness/BidProposalsInformation/Pages/default.aspx. No
verbal modification will be binding. The Proposal shall include acknowledgement of all Addenda.
D. Examination of Proposal Documents
By submitting an RFP, the Contractor represents that he or she has thoroughly examined and become
familiar with the work required under this RFP and that he or she is capable of performing quality work to
achieve the objectives of this RFP.
E. Pre-Contractual Expenses
Pre-contractual expenses are expenses incurred by the Contractor in: 1) preparing its proposal in response to
this RFP; 2) submitting that proposal to the County; or 3) any other expenses incurred by the Contractor prior
to the date of execution of the proposed contract. The County shall not, in any event, be liable for any pre-
contractual expenses incurred by the Contractors in the preparation of their proposals. Contractors shall not
include any such expenses as part of their proposals.
F. Contract Award
Issuance of this RFP and receipt of proposals does not commit Dakota County to award a contract. Dakota
County reserves the right to postpone proposal review at its own convenience, to accept or reject proposals
based on evaluation of the submitted information, to accept other than the lowest cost proposal, to negotiate
with other than the selected Contractor should negotiations with the selected Contractor be terminated, to
negotiate with more than one Contractor simultaneously, or to cancel all or part of this RFP.
G. Public Records and Requests for Confidentiality
Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Section 13.591, the names of
all entities that submitted a timely proposal to Dakota County will be public once opened. All other information
remains private until Dakota County has completed negotiating a contract with the selected Responder. After
a contract has been negotiated, all information received is public information except "trade secret" information
as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 13.37. All information submitted by a Responder therefore shall be
treated as public information by Dakota County unless the Responder properly requests that information be
treated as a confidential trade secret at the time of submitting the bid/proposal.
Any request for confidential treatment of trade secret information in a Responder's proposal must sufficiently
describe the facts that support the classification of information as confidential trade secret. The request must
include the name, address, and telephone number of the person authorized by the Responder to answer any
inquiries by Dakota County concerning the request for confidentiality. This information shall be provided on
the Trade Secret Information Form, see Attachment F. Dakota County reserves the right to make the final
determination of whether data identified as confidential trade secret by a Responder falls within the trade
secret exemption in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
The envelope or mailing container of any documents submitted with the proposal that the Responder believes
contain confidential trade secret information must be clearly marked as containing confidential trade secret
information. Each page upon which trade secret information appears must be marked as containing
confidential trade secret information.
In addition to marking the documents as confidential, the Responder must submit one paper and one digital
copy of the bid/proposal from which the confidential trade secret information has been excised. The
confidential trade secret information must be excised in such a way as to allow the public to determine the
general nature of the information removed while retaining as much of the document as possible.
The Responder's failure to request confidential treatment of confidential trade secret information pursuant to
this subsection will be deemed by Dakota County as a waiver by the Responder of any confidential treatment
of the trade secret information in the bid/proposal.
Requests by the public for the release of information held by Dakota County are subject to the provisions of
the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Responders are encouraged
to familiarize themselves with these provisions prior to submitting a proposal.
By submitting this proposal, Responder agrees to indemnify and hold the County, its agents and employees,
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harmless from any claims or causes of action relating to the County's withholding of data based upon reliance
on the representations that the information is a trade secret as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 13.37
and therefore is not public, including the payment of all costs and attorney fees incurred by the County in
defending such an action.
Public Data Requests can be submitted on the County's website:
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/DataPractices/Pages/default.aspx
H. Joint Offers
Where two or more Contractors desire to submit a single proposal in response to this RFP, they should do so
on a prime-subcontractor basis rather than as a joint venture. Dakota County intends to contract with a single
firm and not with multiple firms doing business as a joint venture.
I. Dakota County Rights
County staff may investigate the qualifications of any Contractor under consideration, require confirmation of
information furnished by Contractor, and require additional evidence of qualifications to perform the work
described in this RFP. County staff reserves the right to:
* Reject any or all proposals if such action is in the public interest;
* Cancel the entire RFP;
* Issue a subsequent RFP;
* Remedy technical errors in the RFP process;
* Appoint evaluation committees to review proposals;
* Establish a short list of Contractors eligible for interview after evaluation of written proposals;
* Negotiate with any, all, or none of the RFP respondents; and
* Reject and replace one or more subcontractors.
This RFP does not commit Dakota County to enter into a contract, nor does it obligate Dakota County to pay
for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of proposals or in anticipation of a contract.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
The following section provides instructions for Proposal preparation and submittal that must be followed if a
Proposer is to be considered responsive.
A. Pre-Proposal Meeting
A pre-proposal meeting will be held on October 7, 2026, at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Recycling Zone Plus
located at 10125 217th St. in Lakeville. The pre-proposal meeting includes an overview of site layout,
staffing breakdown, and viewing of the HHW building under construction. All meeting attendees must come
prepared with safety boots, high visible vest, and hard hat. A maximum of two representatives per proposer
for the pre-proposal meeting due to the facility construction zone. Park on 217th Street. The pre-proposal
meeting will start outside the construction gate nearest the building on 217th Street.
B. Queries and Primary Contact Person
All inquiries about this RFP must be made in written form and submitted via email to Kristi Otterson, Dakota
County Environmental Resources at kristi.otterson@co.dakota.mn.us. All questions must be received by
October 8, 2026
Responses to all questions submitted via email anticipated to be posted on the Dakota County website by
October 14, 2026. The identity of the persons who submit questions will be kept confidential.
C. RFP Clarifications and Addenda
Revisions or modifications to this RFP shall be made by written addendum and posted on the Dakota County
website. No verbal modifications will be binding. The Proposal shall include acknowledgement of all
Addenda.
D. Proposal Submittal
The Contractor must review the attached specifications, scope of services, and exhibits; and submit one (1)
electronic copy of the proposal by October 21, 2026, 4 PM CST to kristi.otterson@co.dakota.mn.us.
E. Proposal Format
1. All proposals by corporations shall bear the official seal of the corporation, if applicable, along with
the signature of a duly authorized officer of the corporation.
2. All text and exhibits should be succinct and relevant to the RFP requirements.
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F. Proposal Contents
The proposal must address conditions and requirements outlined in the Scope of Services and Terms and
General Conditions. At a minimum, the proposal must include all the following sections:
1. Cover Letter
The proposal must be submitted on the firm's official business letterhead. The letter is to transmit
the proposal and must identify all materials and enclosures being forwarded collectively as a
response to this RFP.
Include, at a minimum, the following:
a. Identification of the offering firm(s), including name, address and telephone number of
each firm;
b. Acknowledgment of receipt of RFP addenda, if any;
c. Name, title, address, telephone, fax numbers and e-mail address of contact person
during period of proposal evaluation;
d. A statement to the effect that the proposal shall remain valid for a period of not less than
120 days from the date of submittal; and
e. Signature of a person authorized to bind the offering firm to the terms of the proposal.
2. Firm Introduction
Provide a brief company history and organizational structure of the firm including an outline of the
firm's previous and current projects demonstrating qualifications to provide the scope of services
requested by the RFP.
3. Contractor Team Organization
In this section, state in writing or provide an organization chart showing the team members and key
local personnel. Identify the team members' areas of responsibility. Provide subcontractors'
company name, address, contact person, email and telephone number.
4. Qualifications and Experience
Identify at least two similar service contracts undertaken by the Contractor within the last two (2)
years. For each service contract, provide the client's name, address and telephone number for a
contact person currently available who is familiar with the firm's performance on each service
contract. The Contractor shall maintain licensure as required during the full term of any contract.
Failure to maintain required licensure may be grounds for termination.
5. Work Plan and Budget for Scope of Services
The Contractor's proposal must demonstrate the Contractor's understanding of the Program and
scope of services as described herein. The Contractor's proposal must include a clear description of
the service methods and detail pricing or detail pricing options for each item in the scope of services.
The selected Contractor will work with County to make any necessary adjustments to the work plan
as determined by the County, in consultation with the Contractor, during the contract period.
6. Conflict of Interest
The Contractor must identify any potential conflict of interest it may have with this proposal. See
Attachment: E Non-Collusion and Conflict of Interest Statement.
7. Exceptions and Deviations
Any exceptions to the requirements in this RFP must be included in the proposal submitted by the
Contractor. Segregate such exceptions as a separate element of the proposal under the heading
"Exceptions and Deviations."
8. Contract Terms and General Conditions
Attachment B of this RFP sets forth the Dakota County standard Contract Terms and General
Conditions. Proposals should indicate the firm's willingness to agree to such provisions.
9. Registration and Good Standing
All responders must be in compliance with Minnesota law governing transaction of business in the
State of Minnesota. Upon award of the contract, the County will verify compliance prior to contracting.
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