Contract Services

City of Bellflower

Competitive Procurement of Solid Waste Contract (2004)

Project Description

After 40 years with the same waste collector, the City of Bellflower conducted a competitive procurement for a new residential and commercial collection agreement. The City needed to implement new programs that would increase waste diversion to meet State goals. Accurate service data was not readily available for use in an RFP.

HF&H Solution

HF&H developed the City’s RFP and draft agreement, conducted the RFP process, evaluated the proposals and assisted in negotiating a new franchise agreement. This new agreement increased recycling and customer services while lowering costs to rate payers and increasing City revenues. In order to address the City’s issues, we audited the hauler data to be included in the RFP, including tons recycled and disposed, amount billed, and franchise fees paid in order to provide proposers confidence in the service data. We conducted public outreach meetings for customer groups.

Project Results

As a result of the work performed by HF&H, the City reduced overall rates by 23% (saving ratepayers $11.3 million over the 8-year term); the contractor reimbursed the City for the costs related to the procurement; the City received $347,500 in annual funding to the City for its solid waste related expenses; the City received free collection from its facilities, sponsored events, and free disposal of street sweepings; the City received free commercial and multi-family recycling; the City’s refuse was transformed to meet State diversion requirements; the City received collection and processing of electronic waste, diversion of manure from horse properties, new collection vehicles and residential carts; and the City received improved reporting and performance requirements.