Issued by: Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA)
Date Issued: February 1, 2026
Proposal Due Date: February 25, 2026
Questions Deadline: February 18, 2026 12pm
1. Introduction
The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) is a regional municipal solid waste and recycling authority serving communities in western Connecticut. HRRA oversees solid waste programs and regional facilities in support of member towns, including the Town of Newtown.
In 2023, the Town of Newtown constructed an Aerated Static Pile (ASP) Composting System with funding from a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) grant. The purpose of the ASP system is to demonstrate that municipalities can operate a self‑sustaining, scalable model for residential food scrap recovery and local compost manufacturing.
The Town built the system to process residential food scraps, utilizing municipal leaves and mulch as the carbon amendment. The system currently includes:
- Three (3) ASP blowers
- A screener
- Site infrastructure suited for year‑round compost production
- A CT DEEP permit for municipal organics operations (additional permitting may be required by the selected vendor)
The Town owns the site, and HRRA leases the property for operations of the regional transfer station. The Town intends to offer the ASP area and municipal equipment to the selected vendor for the purpose of converting residential food scraps into high‑quality compost, expanding food scrap diversion, and supporting the State of Connecticut’s statutorily mandated diversion of organic materials from large generators (26+ tons/year).
HRRA seeks proposals from qualified vendors to operate the ASP facility on behalf of the Town, process municipal and regional organics, and manage compost production and marketing.
2. Project Overview
The selected vendor will:
- Operate the ASP system and process residential food scraps using Town‑supplied leaves, mulch, and other municipal carbon feedstocks.
- Produce compost for resale, internal use, and municipal use (in amounts mutually agreed upon).
- Maintain the ASP site, equipment, and operational infrastructure.
- Offer a revenue‑share pricing structure for:
- Sale of finished compost
- Tip fees for commercial or out‑of‑region food scrap loads
- HRRA regional use of the facility
- Manage the site in compliance with all applicable CT DEEP regulations and permitting requirements.
- Assist HRRA and the Town in expanding food scrap collection from residential, municipal, and commercial sources.
The vendor may accept larger‑volume food scrap loads from third parties and may charge tipping fees to develop revenue for both the vendor and the Town/HRRA.
The Town and HRRA do not anticipate providing any direct financial contribution for operations, equipment replacement, or facility upgrades.
3. Scope of Services
The Respondent’s Proposal must outline a clear operational plan including:
3.1 Processing Operations
- Methodology for receiving and processing residential food scraps.
- Use of Town leaves, mulch, and carbon stock to create proper compost mix ratios.
- ASP system management, blower operation, and compost screening.
- Odor management protocols.
- Management of contamination.
3.2 Marketing & Revenue Development
- Pricing structure and revenue share proposal for:
- Compost sales
- Tip fees for commercial loads
- HRRA regional use of the site
- Description of how the Respondent will market finished compost within Connecticut.
3.3 Maintenance
- Maintenance of Town‑owned equipment and on‑site infrastructure.
- Routine maintenance logs and reporting.
3.4 Customer Base Development
- Plan to recruit commercial, residential, municipal, and transfer station customers.
3.5 Compliance
- Identification of any permits required beyond the existing Town permit.
- Regulatory management related to CT DEEP.
4. RFP Timeline
- RFP Issued - February 1, 2026
- Deadline for Questions (portal only) - February 18, 2026
- Q&A Published Continuously; Final Consolidated Q&A Posted - February 20, 2026
- RFP Submissions Due - February 25, 2026
- No phone or email questions will be accepted
5. Submission Requirements
5.1 Respondent Qualifications
Each submission must specifically detail:
1. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience operating and maintaining an ASP or comparable composting system, preferably in Connecticut.
2. Minimum of three (3) years’ marketing experience with finished compost products in Connecticut.
3. Experience developing a customer base for food scrap collection:
- Commercial
- Residential
- Municipal/transfer station
4. Description of hurdles encountered in developing similar compost programs and markets.
5. At least three (3) client examples where similar services were provided.
5.2 Required Submission Content
Each Proposal must include:
1. Submittal Letter
Signed by an authorized representative and including:
- Title of RFP
- Name of Respondent
- Legal structure
- Submission date
2. Background and Experience
a. Description of relevant experience with municipalities and/or quasi‑municipal authorities during the past 5 years
b. List of principal individuals involved in the project and their roles
c. Any additional information relevant to HRRA’s evaluation
3. References
Up to three references including:
- Organization name and address
- Services provided
- Contact name, title, and contact information
4. Legal & Compliance History
Description of:
- All litigation since January 2000
- Enforcement actions or penalties from regulatory agencies
- Worker safety, labor law, or affirmative action violations
- Any state or federal investigations related to operations
5. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Statement confirming compliance with:
- Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Equal Employment Act of 1972
- Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Law
6. Insurance
Copy of current certificate of insurance with coverage levels.
6. Submission Instructions
- All proposals must be uploaded through the designated online portal.
- A hard copy must also be postmarked and mailed by the submission date.
- Late proposals will be rejected.
Questions
All questions must be submitted exclusively through the Q&A portal.
No phone calls or emails will be accepted.
7. Evaluation and Selection
At its sole and absolute discretion, HRRA may select the Respondent that best meets the Authority’s operational, financial, and programmatic needs, regardless of whether that Respondent is the lowest‑priced submission.
- Evaluation criteria include:
- Experience and qualifications
- Proposed operating plan
- Revenue share structure
- Marketing strategy
- Compliance record
- References
- Overall strength and feasibility of the proposal
8. Conditions
- HRRA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
- HRRA may negotiate terms with the selected vendor.
- The selected vendor must comply with all state and local regulations.
Deadline for Questions: February 18, 2026 12pm
Questions can be submitted using the link posted on the home page of the HRRA website at www.HRRA.org