RFP For Garbage Collection and Disposal

INVITATION TO PROPOSERS
The Ware County Board of Commissioners will accept proposals from qualified and
experienced Waste Management Contractors for the County's Garbage Removal and
Disposal. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday August 4, 2026. Proposals
will be publicly opened and only the names of those proposers responding will be
mentioned. No faxed or late proposals will be accepted.
Ware County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive
formalities and technicalities, and to make an award in the best interest of Ware County.
Ware County may enter into negotiations with the contractor of their choosing to obtain
the best value for Ware County. All bidders must comply with all Federal, State, and
Local Laws.
Factors to be considered in making this award will be pricing, experience and ability to
provide services. Ware County will be the sole judge of the weights given these factors.
Contract period will be for a period of 1 year commencing on January 1, 2027, with the
option to be renewed annually for the same terms for up to 4 addition years (total 5
years). Contract will be cancelled in the event funds are not available. Each year, at least
90 days prior to contract renewal, Ware County will evaluate the past years performance
and future needs to access the extension of this contract.
The purpose of this RFP is to evaluate and utilize the most cost-effective process for
Ware County's Garbage Pickup and Disposal.
The Proposer's response shall include a technical proposal and fee proposal with all other
information requested in this Request for Proposal (RFP). The fees shall be the full cost
to the Ware County, Georgia.
pg. 3

Garbage Collection and Disposal
RFP # FY 27-0626
Instructions to Proposers
1. Intent: It is intended that the Instructions to Proposers, General Conditions, and
Detailed Schedules/Specifications shall define and describe the complete services to which
they relate.
2. Examination: The Proposer is advised to examine all documents and current
parameters of the services to become fully informed as to their conditions. This includes
the conformity with specific standards and the character, quality and quantity of the reports
and services provided. Failure to examine these areas will not relieve the successful
Proposer of the obligation to furnish all products and services necessary to carry out the
provisions of the contract.
3. Submission of Proposals: All forms must be completed and returned with proposal.
Envelope must be sealed and marked FY 27-0626 Garbage. Proposals may be hand
delivered to Ware County Commission Office, 2nd Floor, Ware County Administration
Building, 305 Oak Street, Suite 227, Waycross, GA 31501 or mailed to Ware County
Board of Commissioners, 305 Oak Street, Suite 227, Waycross, GA 31501.
4. Proposal Form: Proposals shall be submitted on the Schedule Forms included herein.
The Proposer will submit an original and four (4) copies of its Proposal. Failure to
acknowledge receipt of amendment(s), failure to include representations, certifications,
affidavits or any other required information may render your proposal non-responsive. In
your proposal submittal please reference each section number as it is addressed.
5. Exercising of Option Year Extension - At least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration
of a contract period, Ware County will evaluate the future needs and determine the
necessity for continuing these services. The County's decision to exercise an option period
will be provided to the successful bidder, in writing.
6. Use of Subcontractors: If one or more subcontractors are to be used, the subcontractor
must be clearly identified and noted in the proposal when it is submitted. Ware County
must approve any change in the use of subcontractors in advance and in writing. No such
approval will be construed as making Ware County a party to such subcontract, or
subjecting Ware County to liability of any kind to any subcontractor. No subcontractor
will under any circumstances relieve the Contractor of its liability and obligation under any
resulting contract. Subcontractor is subject to the same contractual conditions as is the
Contractor.
7. Addenda to RFP: Ware County reserves the right to amend or clarify this RFP by
addenda. Addenda may be issued no later than 3 days prior to the due date of the proposals.
pg. 4

All addenda issued will become part of the original or modified RFP document. The
addenda will be sent only to those who have received the RFP from Ware County. Proposer
must acknowledge receipt of each addendum.
8. Selection of Successful Proposer: Evaluation criteria, describes the criteria and
procedures for evaluating proposals submitted to Ware County. Ware County will select
the Proposer that best serves the interests of Ware County and residents of the
unincorporated area of Ware County. The Ware County Commission reserves the right to
waive any irregularities or inconsistencies in the submitted proposals and to reject any or
all proposals.
9. Project Contact: All questions regarding this RFP will be directed to:
Ware County Board of Commissioners
Attn: James Shubert, County Manager
305 Oak Street, Suite 227
Waycross, Georgia 31501
(912) 287-4300
jshubert@warecountyga.gov
10. Disclaimer: Ware County has, to the best of its knowledge, represented information
and data that are current and applicable to this project. Ware County is providing the
information contained herein as a courtesy to the Proposer. Ware County neither
guarantees nor warranties that the information contained in this RFP or referenced
documents is accurate and complete. Ware County is not and will not be liable for
omissions or errors contained in this RFP. It is the Proposers responsibility to use this
information and verify the same during the proposal, negotiation, and contract
implementation periods.
THE WARE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL PROPOSALS, WAIVE TECHNICALITIES
AND MAKE THE AWARD IN THE BEST INTEREST OF WARE COUNTY.
pg. 5

PROPOSAL SCHEDULE
Estimated
# Activity Date
1. Deadline for receipt of proposals: ............................................................08/04/26
at 2:00pm
2. Evaluation Team score proposals: ............................................................08/06/26
3. Evaluation Team makes recommendation to
County Commission ...................................................................................08/10/26
4. County Commissioners take formal
Award action: .............................................................................................08/10/26
5. Notice of Award and contract documents
sent to successful Proposer: ......................................................................08/17/26
pg. 6

GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Minimum Basic Service Requirements (The service outlined below is the current
level of service that is provided to Ware County and will be used as a minimum
service requirement. Ware County will entertain all submitted proposals and
options.)
2. Ware County requires a monthly flat rate for County residents and businesses.
3. Residential customers shall be serviced once a week in roll-out carts.
4. Missed garbage shall be addressed by contractor and their staff.
5. Rollout service shall be provided free of charge for approved elderly and disabled
citizens.
6. Waste collection "green box" and "solid waste curbside carts" at Ware County
owned sites below:
Ware County Sites:
* Ware County Courthouse & Administration Building
800 Church Street four solid waste carts / two green boxes
* Trembling Earth Recreation Site
Wadley Road four solid waste carts / two green boxes
* Vol. Fire Stations
(11 various locations) one solid waste cart per location
Ware County Industrial Park Sites:
* PSAF/Fire Station #1
Harris Road two solid waste carts / green box
* Sheriff & Ware County Jail
Harris Road two solid waste carts / two green boxes
* Public Works
Harris Road two green boxes
* 4H Extension Office
Harris Road one green box
* Airport
Keen Drive two solid waste carts
7. Location of landfill or transfer station that you will be utilizing.
8. Price per ton for Ware County to dispose of non-hazardous waste.
9. Universal curb side special collection (White /Brown Goods) 1 x per week
10. Current dates and routes of collection must be maintained as to not inconvenience
Ware County citizens.
11. Collection of Fees:
a. Contractor will bill and collect fees for service.
12. A Notice to Cure will be issued by Ware County if a problem arises with the
service level and is not addressed by contractor and corrected immediately.
Contractor must cure within 10 days.
13. List all company observed holidays.
pg. 7

14. Emergency Service in the event of a natural disaster.
a. Contractor will adhere to the Waycross/Ware County Emergency
Operations Plan.
15. Special Collections:
a. Contractor shall provide a minimum of 12 (one per calendar month)
Saturday special collections, per calendar year,
b. Collections shall be located in unincorporated Ware County.
c. Contractor employees shall furnish all equipment labor to assist citizens in
disposal of approved items or materials.
d. Location, date(s) and time to be approved by Ware County.
16. All residential households and multi-family complexes residential garbage
collection is NOT mandatory.
17. The successful proposer must provide back door services to handicapped
individuals. This service will be provided at no additional charge.
OPTIONAL PROPOSALS
List any additional services your company would furnish (additional proposals and cost).
Please detail scope of work and all associated cost to Ware County.
PROGRAM SERVICES
1.0 SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
The successful proposer will provide all services contracted for from each residence. Such
services shall include, but not be limited to: household garbage backdoor service and any
other service chosen by the County.
Containers will be returned to the designated setout location at each residence, standing
upright, and will not be thrown or placed in areas where they become obstructions to
pedestrians or traffic flow. The contractor shall make collections between the hours of 6
a.m. and 7 p.m. Noise and disturbance will be kept to a minimum. The work will be done
in a sanitary manner. The Contractor's employees will pick up trash spilled by the
Contractor immediately. All areas where glass has been broken or dropped will be swept
clean and glass deposited in the truck.
Contractor will promptly repair any damage to any County property, road, right of way,
bridge, or highway caused by the contractor except through normal wear and tear. Such
repair will restore the County property, road, right of way, bridge, or highway to a condition
at least equal to that, which existed immediately prior to infliction of damage.
2.0 SUSPENSION OF CURBSIDE COLLECTION
Curbside collection service may be suspended due to extreme weather or declared
emergencies. The Contractor will stop all work when so directed by the County during
pg. 8

severe weather. The Contractor will complete the work as soon as authority has been
granted to proceed. If collection is suspended, Contractor will perform collection on the
next regular collection day.
Pickup days will not be reduced by holidays but may be combined. Pickups normally
scheduled on holidays will be rescheduled on the next regular collection day. Contractor
will advertise a minimum of three (3) times, schedule changes for holidays at least 10 days
before any observed holidays. Contractor shall supply a list of observed holidays.
3.0 COLLECTION EQUIPMENT
Contractor will keep all equipment in safe operating condition and in proper repair, in a
clean, sanitary, and presentable condition. Vehicles must be painted uniformly with the
name of the contractor, the vehicle identification number and contractor's telephone
number printed on each side in letters not less than 9 inches in height. Vehicles are to be
washed weekly or more often, if needed. Vehicles are not to interfere unduly with
vehicular or pedestrian traffic, vehicles are not to be on streets, and alleys unattended,
except as made necessary by loading operations.
No advertising will be permitted on vehicles. All vehicles will be secure and prevent the
leakage of any fluids or littering of materials collected. Seals must be maintained in good
condition to prevent leakage. All vehicles used for collection will have a fully enclosed
metal top. Vehicles will not be overloaded as to scatter refuse, but when refuse is scattered
for any reason, it is the responsibility of the contractor to immediately pick up scattered
matter.
Drivers of vehicles which break hydraulic hoses and leak on County roads or rights-of-way
will be required to immediately stop operation, clean up fluid with either a compound or
cover area with sand to soak up this leakage and sweep up the soak-filled compound or
sand and place in truck. A call for a replacement vehicle or repair of leaking hydraulic
hose will be required before proceeding with the scheduled route. All clean ups must be
reported immediately to the Ware County Public Works Department. The report will
include the address(es) of the area the spilled occurred. When, in the opinion of the
Contractor, the damaged area is cleaned, the Contractor will contact the Ware County
Public Works Department which will be responsible for approving that the clean-up was
satisfactory and accepted.
Collection container size shall be 95 gallons.
Contractor will be solely responsible for all costs of operating and maintaining collection
equipment.
4.0 MISSED COLLECTIONS AND COMPLAINT HANDLING
If a collection is missed and the household notifies the Contractor who will return to collect
pg. 9

the materials. In all cases, the missed collection will be handled within 24 hours of
notification or during the next scheduled work shift, whichever is sooner.
A penalty may be issued in the case of complaints regarding collection service or any
related activities, the Contractor will, upon being notified of the complaint resolve the
complaint in a timely manner. The contractor shall make note of any containers that are
not at curbside during the regular collection. The penalty will not be assessed for noted
addresses. It is not the intent of the County to penalize the contractor for missed collections
of entire neighborhoods or entire streets therefore so long as collection has been made
within 24 hours there will be no penalty assessed. The contractor will provide for prompt
handling of complaints by maintaining an office staff locally that will receive record and
handle complaints. Such staff will be available during the hours of 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday; call center must be a local toll free number. After hours,
weekends, and holidays Contractor must make available a local message service to record
citizen complaints. The contractor will see to it that its employees serve the public in a
courteous, helpful, and impartial manner.
The County's goal is the resolution of 98% of all complaints within 24 hours of the
complaint.
5.0 PERSONNEL
The Contractor will assign a qualified person or persons to be in charge of its operations
within Ware County and will provide the name, address and telephone numbers of such
person to the County.
Each driver of a collection vehicle shall at all times wear a company uniform and carry a
valid driver's license for the type of vehicle that is being driven. The Contractor will
provide operating and safety training for all personnel on a regular basis.
It is expressly agreed and understood that the Contractor is in all respects an Independent
Contractor. The Contractor is in no respect an agent or employee of the County.
6.0 STATEMENT OF WORK
Collection of Household Garbage:
All garbage collected will be delivered to a permitted solid waste disposal facility
operating in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Contractor
will be responsible for ensuring the disposal facility is operating and continues to
operate in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The Contractor will provide all households with a 95-gallon lidded, wheeled trash
container. All equipment will bear the County Logo and can number. All garbage
collection equipment will be maintained in good repair and appearance.
pg. 10