Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for material rate studies to track progress toward the City’s zero-waste goal for Austin Resource Recovery with Resource Recycling Systems, Inc. d/b/a RRS for an initial term of three years in an estimated amount of $1,050,000 with up to three additional one-year extension options each in an estimated amount of $350,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,100,000. Funding: $350,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Resource Recovery.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $350,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 1500 RGW3011 for these services. The solicitation was published on April 27, 2026, and closed on June 2, 2026. Of the five offers received, the proposal submitted by the recommended contractor represented best value to the City based on the solicitation’s evaluation criteria. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at <https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=143475>.
MBE/WBE:
This contract will be awarded in compliance with the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
October 14, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract will provide services for the City to participate in three studies, a community wide Capture Rate Study, Per Capita Disposal Rate Study, and a combined Diversion Rate and Waste Characterization Study. The contract will allow the City to plan, conduct and process data on trash, recycling and organics material streams for both residential and commercial customers, including those collected by Austin Resource Recovery and those that are not.
In November 2023, Austin City Council approved the 2023 Austin Resource Recovery Comprehensive Plan, an update to the 2011 Master Plan that outlined the City’s path toward its zero-waste goal of reducing landfill disposal by 90% by 2040. These studies will support that goal by providing data and analysis to track the City’s progress. They will also offer a comprehensive assessment of materials generated citywide, including those managed through landfill, recycling, compost, and reuse, as well as materials avoided through waste-prevention efforts.
This is a new contract. The requested authorization amount was determined by departmental estimates and forecasted usage.
An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Resource Recycling Systems, Inc. d/b/a RRS as the best to provide these services based on offeror experience, project approach and methodology, price, local and small business preference.
If the City is unable to secure a contract, Austin Resource Recovery will have limited insight into the three performance measures that are utilized to track progress towards the City’s zero-waste goal. Data collection is needed to allow Austin Resource Recovery to identify trends and education opportunities for citizens.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
|
Initial Term |
3 years |
$1,050,000 |
|
Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$350,000 |
|
Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$350,000 |
|
Optional Extension 3 |
1 year |
$350,000 |
|
Total |
6 years |
$2,100,000 |
Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage and may be more or less in the initial term and in each exercised optional extension; however, the total contract amount will not exceed $2,100,000.