- Zero Waste Marin - https://zerowastemarin.org -

Questions and Responses to Edible Food Diversion Program RFP

 

Q 1: Does Zero Waste Marin have an existing list of food recovery organizations and services? If so, approximately how many FROs/FRSs are operating in the county?

A 1: We do have an existing list of FROs/FRSs, listed on our website. There are seven organizations/services on this list. The list is not exhaustive and might need to be updated with new organizations.

 

Q 2: How many Tier 1 and Tier 2 generators are on the initial lists?

A 2: A preliminary list compiled in 2022 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 had approximately 170 generators on the list. We are currently working on an updated list of generators for Tier 1 and Tier 2 for all jurisdictions in the County of Marin, so this number is subject to change.

 

Q 3: Do you have a vision for how the budget will be allocated across tasks?

A 3: We anticipate that the bulk of the work will be related to the Edible Food Recovery Capacity Report. However, we do not have a highly specific vision and are open to proposals.

 

Q 4: Do you anticipate much in-person outreach will be needed to verify food generator and recovery details?

A 4: We anticipate that there will be outreach required to verify details related to generators and recovery, but the majority of this work could likely be completed either in-person or remotely via phone or email. In person outreach may be beneficial for the larger organizations but that is up to contractor discretion.

 

Q 5: On page 20 of the RFP, “Schedule of Proposed Fees,” it states “please provide your cost estimate in one of the two ways provided.” Three tables are provided. Can Zero Waste Marin please clarify how you would like to receive the cost proposal. Is it to provide either a or b below? Or, both a and b below? Is the preference to use the tables provided in the RFP?

A 5: Zero Waste Marin would like to receive the cost per staff hours for each staff member allocated to the project, the anticipated cost per deliverable depending on that staff time, and the total project cost based on the totals of the previous two breakdowns. It is not mandatory to use the tables included in the RFP, as long as the cost breakdown is clear.

 

Q 6: Please clarify what the “offer form” is.

A 6: The reference to the “Offer Form” on page 25 was included in error. Applicants can disregard this form.

 

Q 7: Is there a page limit for the proposed scope of work?

A 7: No, there is no page limit.

 

Q 8: Does Zero Waste Marin plan to implement all the edible food recovery requirements of SB 1383, on behalf of the County and individual jurisdictions?

A 8: Zero Waste Marin is currently working with jurisdictions to determine which agencies will take on which responsibilities of the edible food recovery requirements. It is likely that ZWM will implement all the edible food recovery requirements on behalf of the entire county. This should be determined and voted upon in our June 2023 JPA Board meeting with all the member agencies.

 

Q 9: Please clarify what “mandated food donors” includes under Project Specifics Section 1.a. Does this group include additional generators beyond commercial edible food generators?

A 10: “Mandated food donors” refers only to the entities included in Tier 1 and Tier 2 that are required to donate surplus edible food.

 

Q 11: How many Tier 1 and Tier 2 Edible Food Generators has Zero Waste Marin currently identified? Is this list broken down by individual jurisdiction? If so, can Zero Waste Marin please provide a list of the number of identified Tier 1 and Tier 2 Generators within each member agency’s jurisdiction?

A 11: A preliminary list compiled in 2022 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 had approximately 170 generators on the list. We are currently working on an updated list of generators for Tier 1 and Tier 2 for all jurisdictions in the County of Marin, so this number is subject to change. The list is still being compiled but will be broken down by jurisdiction.

 

Q 12: Has Zero Waste Marin identified a preliminary list of Food Recovery Organizations and Food Recovery Services? If so, can Zero Waste Marin please provide a list of the number of identified Food Recovery Organizations and Food Recovery Services within each member agency’s jurisdiction?

A12: We do have an existing list of FROs/FRSs, listed on our website. There are seven organizations/services on this list. The list is not exhaustive and might need to be updated with new organizations.

 

Q 13: Can Zero Waste Marin please describe the methodology used to identify the preliminary list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Generators and/or Food Recovery Organizations/Services?

A 13: Zero Waste Marin has followed the guidance indicated by CalRecycle in this document. Supermarkets have been pulled from the CalRecycle Convenience Zone database, wholesalers and food service providers were requested from the California Department of Public Health. The remaining information about edible food generators has been requested from the Marin County Environmental Health Department.

 

Q 14: From Page 16 of the RFP: “In addition, the vendor will estimate the amount of edible food (in pounds) currently being disposed of, whether through landfilling or composting, that could otherwise be recovered for human consumption.” Does this task include estimating the total edible food currently being disposed of in the landfill, across every generator type (commercial, residential, etc.) or is this an estimation based only on covered Tier 1 and Tier 2 generators?

A 14: This estimation is meant to be based upon the covered Tier 1 and Tier 2 generators.

 

Q 15: Under Food Recovery Organization and Services, Section E on page 17, what is meant by food vendors?

A 15: Section E is meant to indicate how many new edible food generators covered under Tier 1 and Tier 2 can be served by either FROs or FRSs.

 

Q 16: What level of commitment does Zero Waste Marin/the County have for developing new edible food recovery capacity as may be identified under the requested scope of work?

A 16: Zero Waste Marin is committed to following up on the recommendations of the potential selected vendor to improve and expand the edible food recovery capacity for the County in order to meet SB 1383 regulations.

 

Q 17: Did Zero Waste Marin or the County perform an edible food recovery capacity study in 2022 as required under SB 1383? If so, can Zero Waste Marin share the methodology used to perform the study and the results?

A 17: Zero Waste Marin was unable to complete a full capacity study in 2022 but did submit a report to CalRecycle using the Edible Food Recovery Capacity Calculator and by working with our consultant to gather jurisdictional information for that time. Zero Waste Marin and CalRecycle are in discussions about the results of the report, so it cannot yet be shared. We will work with the chosen vendor to share relevant information.