Request for Qualifications to Provide On-Site Composting Workshops in Sonoma County

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
TO PROVIDE ON-SITE COMPOSTING WORKSHOPS IN SONOMA
COUNTY
Qualifications and a proposed scope of work are due
12:00 p.m. on Thursday June 4, 2026
Submit proposal to:
Xinci Tan, Organics Program Manager
Xinci.Tan@sonomacounty.gov
Zero Waste Sonoma

1. INTENT AND BACKGROUND
1.1 Definitions
This section contains definitions that are used throughout this RFQ.
AGENCY: Zero Waste Sonoma (also known as the Sonoma County Waste
Management Agency) is a joint powers authority composed of the
County of Sonoma and the nine incorporated jurisdictions within
Sonoma County: Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert
Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor.
COUNTY: The County of Sonoma, a political subdivision of the State of California,
primarily overseeing the unincorporated areas within Sonoma County.
Sonoma County: The geographical area of Sonoma County, encompassing all
incorporated and unincorporated areas.
1.2 Overview of Requested Services
Zero Waste Sonoma (AGENCY) is seeking qualifications for an individual or entity (PROPOSER) to provide
technical, on-site composting workshops to benefit orchards, vineyards, schools, community gardens,
and other crop growers in Sonoma County. The purpose of this project is to encourage small to medium-
scale local composting and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transporting agricultural materials
and/or food scraps out of the county for disposal or composting. Since growers must often pay to haul
finished compost back into the county, empowering growers to make their own compost will also help
reduce costs, increase compost use and local nutrient cycling, and increase community-resiliency.
Since SB 705 (2003 Florez) phased out agricultural burning in California, growers must pursue alternative
methods to dispose of agricultural waste. SB 279 (2025 McNerney) went into effect on January 1, 2026,
and allows more growers to compost agricultural wastes on-site without needing to apply for
compostable material handling permits from the state. Under SB 279, growers may have a total amount
of feedstock and compost on-site at any one time of up to 200 cubic yards, and they may give away or
sell up to 5,000 cubic yards of compost product annually.
All data and information furnished by the AGENCY or referred to in this RFQ are furnished for the
PROPOSER's convenience. The AGENCY does not guarantee that such data and information are accurate
and assumes no responsibility whatsoever as to their accuracy or interpretation. PROPOSERs shall
satisfy themselves as to the accuracy or interpretation of all such information or data.
2. BUDGET
The AGENCY will select one proposal to award a $45,000 agreement to provide technical, on-site
composting workshops. The term of the agreement is suggested to be June 19, 2026 - June 1, 2027.
PROPOSERs may propose a shorter term but not longer. The awarded PROPOSER will enter into a
professional services agreement (Exhibit A) with the AGENCY for the project. The PROPOSER's scope of
work will be negotiated and finalized with the AGENCY before inclusion into the agreement for
execution.
1 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

3. SUBMISSION AND SCHEDULE
3.1 Content of Submission
PROPOSERs must include the following in their submission:
a. Qualifications to provide technical, on-site composting workshops. If there is a project
team, include each team member's name, skills, and experience, and their project role.
b. Proposed scope of work, budget breakdown, and timeline. Please include a breakdown
of material costs and personnel hours.
c. Proposal Authorization and Acknowledgement Form (Exhibit C) signed by the project
lead or signature authority of the entity submitting the proposal.
d. Any additional information, examples of prior work, outreach material, or supporting
materials the PROPOSER believes would assist Zero Waste Sonoma in evaluating the
proposal.
e. Two references from similar projects
3.2 Submittal Rules
All submissions must be done in writing, e-mailed to Xinci.Tan@sonomacounty.gov by the deadline of
12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The e-mail subject line must clearly state "Qualifications to
Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops," and the e-mail content must include the name of
the individual(s) and/or the entity submitting the proposal. No mailed or hand-delivered proposals will
be accepted. Proposals received after the required submittal date and time will be rejected. The
AGENCY will not, in any manner, be liable or responsible for any late delivery of proposals.
PROPOSERS are notified that the costs of preparing and submitting proposals and the risks associated
therewith shall be borne solely by the PROPOSER. No compensation will be provided to PROPOSERS for
work performed or costs incurred during the preparation, submittal, or evaluation of Proposals, nor for
the negotiation or execution and delivery of an agreement awarded as a result of this RFQ.
3.3 Schedule
Date Action Responsible Party
May 22, 2026 Distribution of RFQ AGENCY
May 27, 2026 Submit Written Questions (12:00 p.m.) PROPOSER
May 29, 2026 Answers to Written Questions are published AGENCY
June 4, 2026 Proposals Due (12:00 p.m.) PROPOSER
June 18, 2026 Award of Agreement (tentative) AGENCY
June 1, 2027 Work completed PROPOSER
2 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

3.4 Questions
All questions about this RFQ must be directed to:
Xinci Tan, Organics Program Manager
Zero Waste Sonoma
195 Concourse Blvd, Suite B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 837-6134
E-mail: Xinci.Tan@sonomacounty.gov
Questions must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026; no response will
be made to questions submitted after this date. An addendum to this RFQ will be published on the
AGENCY's webpage (https://zerowastesonoma.gov/agency/requests-for-proposals) in response to any
questions received. The PROPOSER is solely responsible for providing their email address by 12:00 p.m.
on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to the contact above so that the addendum can be circulated as soon as
available. The AGENCY cannot assure that every entity receiving an RFQ will receive the addenda. All
addenda shall become part of the Agreement documents, and all PROPOSERS are bound by such
addenda, whether or not received by the PROPOSER.
All requests for additional information regarding this RFQ should be directed to the AGENCY's Program
Manager noted above. Do not directly contact other AGENCY staff or members of the Board of
Directors. Individuals or organizations that do so may be disqualified from further consideration.
AGENCY will recognize only those responses to inquiries issued in writing by AGENCY in Addendum form
as binding modifications to this RFQ.
4. EVALUATION
The AGENCY shall evaluate each proposal. All determinations about the evaluation of proposals will be
at the sole discretion of the AGENCY. Each proposal shall first be evaluated for completeness and for
compliance with the requirements of this RFQ. The AGENCY will then evaluate the benefit of the
proposed services described in the proposal to the AGENCY, its member agencies, and their citizens.
5. ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Draft Agreement for Professional Services
Exhibit B: Proposal Scoring Rubric
Exhibit C: Proposal Authorization and Acknowledgement Form
3 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

Exhibit A: Draft Agreement for Professional Services
Agreement for Professional Services to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting
Workshops
1. CONTRACTOR INFORMATION
Contractor:
Address:
Telephone:
2. AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency: Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (also known as Zero Waste
Sonoma)
Attention: Xinci Tan, Organics Program Manager
Address: 195 Concourse Blvd, Suite B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Telephone: (707) 837-6134
Project: Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops
3. SCOPE OF WORK
Detailed by PROPOSER. Will be negotiated and finalized with AGENCY staff.
4. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
Agency agrees to pay Contractor an amount not to exceed $45,000 for services rendered in accordance
with tasks detailed in Section 3 Scope of Work. Contractor shall invoice Agency monthly for services
rendered. Travel, if requested, will be reimbursed at cost with mileage reimbursed at the current federal
rate at the time of travel.
5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Contractor is an independent contractor, working under his/her own supervision and direction and is
not a representative of the Agency.
6. TERM
This agreement will go into effect on June 19, 2026 and expire on June 1, 2027.
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7. INSURANCE
With respect to performance of work under this Agreement, Contractor shall maintain and shall require
all of its subcontractors, consultants, and other agents to maintain, insurance as described below:
7.1 Workers' Compensation Insurance. Workers' compensation insurance with statutory limits as
required by the Labor Code of the State of California.
7.2 General Liability Insurance. Commercial general liability insurance covering bodily injury and
property damage using an occurrence policy form, in an amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00)
combined single limit for each occurrence. Said commercial general liability insurance policy shall either
be endorsed with the following specific language or contain equivalent language in the policy:
a. The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, its officers and employees, is named
as additional insured for all liability arising out of the operations by or on behalf of the named
insured in the performance of this Agreement.
b. The inclusion of more than one insured shall not operate to impair the rights of one
insured against another insured, and the coverage afforded shall apply as though separate
policies had been issued to each insured, but the inclusion of more than one insured shall not
operate to increase the limits of the company's liability.
c. The insurance provided herein is primary coverage to the Sonoma County Waste
Management Agency with respect to any insurance or self-insurance programs maintained by
the Agency.
d. This policy shall not be cancelled without first giving thirty (30) days prior written notice
to the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency.
7.3 Automobile Liability Insurance. Automobile liability insurance covering bodily injury and damage in a
form acceptable to the Agency, in an amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per accident.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
Contractor agrees to accept responsibility for loss or damage to any person or entity, including but not
limited to Agency, and to defend, indemnify, hold harmless, reimburse and release Agency, its officers,
agents and employees, from and against any and all actions, claims, damages, disabilities, liabilities and
expense, including but not limited to attorneys' fees and the cost of litigation incurred in the defense of
claims as to which this indemnity applies or incurred in an action by Agency to enforce the indemnity
provisions herein, whether arising from personal injury, or property damage, that may be asserted by
any person or entity, including Contractor, to the extent arising out of the negligent acts or omissions or
willful misconduct in the performance by Contractor hereunder, whether or not there is concurrent
negligence on the part of the Agency, but, to the extent required by law, excluding liability due to the
sole or active negligence or due to the willful misconduct of the Agency, upon Contractor obtaining a
final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, Contractor's liability for such claim, including the
cost to defend, shall not exceed the Contractor's proportionate percentage of fault. If there is a possible
obligation to indemnify, Contractor's duty to defend exists regardless of whether it is ultimately
determined that there is a duty to indemnify. Agency shall have the right to approve legal counsel
selected by Contractor, at the expense of Contractor, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. This indemnification obligation is not limited in any way by any limitation on the amount or
5 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

type of damages or compensation payable to or for Contractor or its agents under workers'
compensation acts, disability benefit acts, or other employee benefit acts.
9. CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT
Changes to this Agreement must be approved in writing by the Agency's Executive Director and
Contractor.
10. CONTRACTOR'S STANDARD OF CARE
Agency has relied upon the professional ability and training of Contractor as a material inducement to
enter into this Agreement. Contractor hereby warrants that all of Contractor's work will be performed in
accordance with generally accepted and applicable professional practices and standards as well as the
requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, it being understood that acceptance of
Contractor's work by Agency shall not operate as a waiver of release.
11. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
Contractor and Agency shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and
regulations relating to performance of the scope of work under this Agreement.
12. APPLICABLE LAW AND FORUM
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to California law and any action to enforce
the terms of this Agreement or for the breach thereof shall be brought and tried in the County of
Sonoma.
13. UNCONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. Provided that the requirements of this Section 13 are met, neither
party shall be considered in default in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (not
including the obligation to make payments) to the extent that such performance is prevented or
impaired by the occurrence of Uncontrollable Circumstances. If, as a result of an event of Uncontrollable
Circumstances, either party is wholly or partially unable to meet its obligations under this Agreement,
then it shall give the other party prompt written notice of such event, describing it in reasonable detail.
The obligations under this Agreement of the affected party shall be suspended, other than for payment
of monies due, but only with respect to the particular component of obligations affected by the event
and only for the period during which the event of Uncontrollable Circumstances exists; provided,
however, that Contractor shall have a reasonable time during which to assess the impacts caused by an
event of Uncontrollable Circumstances and sole discretion to determine whether it will continue
operations or whether it will terminate all operations.
14. TERMINATION; DEFAULT. Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon giving the
other party written notice if the other party: (i) fails to make any payment required hereunder, not
disputed in good faith, within thirty (30) days after receiving notice of nonpayment from the non-
defaulting party; (ii) materially fails to comply with any federal, state or local laws, rules, orders or
ordinances, or regulations that pertain to the handling of the waste hereunder; or (iii) breaches any
other material obligation under this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after
receiving written notice thereof from the non-defaulting party, provided, that in the event the party
shows good cause why it should be entitled to reasonable additional time to cure the breach, the non-
breaching party shall allow such reasonable additional time.
6 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written
by their respective officers duly authorized in that behalf.
SONOMA COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
By: _________________________________
Leslie Lukacs, Executive Director
Date: ______________________
Reviewed as to form:
__________________________________
Ethan Walsh, Agency Counsel
_____________(PROPOSER)
Signature: ___________________________________
Title: _______________________
Date: _______________________
7 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops

Exhibit B: Proposal Scoring Rubric
Criteria 1 (40 points): Scope of work, budget, and timeline
Submit a proposed scope of work and budget specific to this project, which includes budget allocations
and lists in detail the services proposed to be provided in connection with this project. Include personnel
time, materials, reporting, etc. Please include a timeline with expected milestones and the date of project
completion.
Preference will be given to proposals that contain equity components, e.g., a strategy to identify and
prioritize workshops for small and/or BIPOC-owned growers, non-profit farms, public schools, community
gardens, or growers who primarily speak a language other than English or serve low-income communities.
Collaborating with other individuals or organizations is not required, but it may make a proposal stronger.
Preference will be given to geographically diverse proposals that positively impact a larger number of
individuals, and/or maximize environmental benefit.
Criteria 2 (40 points): Experience with providing technical, on-site composting workshops
Provide any certifications, experience, and/or references that speak to the PROPOSER's ability to
complete the project. Identify any skills, networks, or connections that may indicate the PROPOSER is
uniquely suited to complete the project.
Criteria 3 (15 points): Assistance expected of AGENCY staff
Detail any information, reports, or support that may be needed to successfully complete the project. If
applicable, please specify when the information or assistance is needed (e.g., before project start,
during/ongoing). Preference will be given to PROPOSERs who require less assistance from AGENCY staff.
Criteria 4 (5 points): Exceptions or changes to the requested services or agreement language
Does the PROPOSER have any exceptions or changes to the requested services or agreement language?
An excessive number of requested changes to the agreement language will be disfavored and may be a
basis for disqualification.
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Exhibit C: Proposal Authorization and Acknowledgement Form
NAME OF PROPOSER _______________________________________________________
ORGANIZATION ______________________________________________________________
1. The undersigned is a Proposer under this RFQ and possesses the legal authority to submit this
Proposal.
2. The undersigned is authorized to conduct all negotiations for and legally bind the Proposer in all
matters relating to this Proposal submittal.
3. The undersigned has reviewed, understands, is able to comply with and agrees to be bound by
the conditions described in the Agreement for Professional Services (Exhibit A) and this RFQ.
4. The undersigned certifies that this Proposal is irrevocable until ______________ (date must be a
minimum of 120 days from submittal).
5. The undersigned acknowledges that the Agency reserves the following rights and options
related to proposals submitted in response to the RFQ:
* Award an agreement for services described in this RFQ.
* Reject all proposals and not award an agreement.
* Reject any proposal.
* If during the course of negotiations with a selected PROPOSER, the AGENCY determines in
its sole discretion that an acceptable Agreement cannot be negotiated, the AGENCY
reserves the right to suspend negotiations with that PROPOSER and begin negotiations with
another PROPOSER. Also, the AGENCY reserves the right to undertake simultaneous
negotiations of the final Agreement with more than one PROPOSER.
* Waive defects and/or irregularities in any proposal.
* Request from any PROPOSER at any time during the evaluation process, clarification of any
information contained in the proposal.
* Conduct interview(s) with any PROPOSER(s).
* Negotiate terms and conditions that are different from those described in this RFQ and
Agreement.
* Contact references provided and seek information from any client with which the
PROPOSER has done business.
* Take other such action that best suits the needs of the AGENCY and/or its citizens.
9 Request For Qualifications to Provide Technical, On-Site Composting Workshops