Zero Waste Marin has released a Request for Information and Quotes (RFI/Q) for community workshops and engagement on zero waste topics. Zero Waste Marin is seeking experienced and qualified entities to host workshops and/or community events to engage diverse communities across Marin. Workshops and/or community engagements will focus on helping residents of Marin understand and implement core features of zero waste, such as proper recycling and composting, secondhand shopping, reducing food waste, etc.

Proposals must be received by Friday, June 6th, 2025 no later than 5:00 pm local time.

For full details, please review the RFP document.

Questions received (updated 5/30/2025):

• Q: Is a non-profit eligible to submit a proposal? Or please clarify what you mean by “entities”.
  • A: Yes, non-profits are eligible to apply. An entity can be a non-profit or a private firm, as long as they are able to fulfill the scope of work.
• Q: Re this scope item “Create, update, or implement existing zero waste lessons or workshops”, is this a generic reference – or is it referring to any specific zero waste lessons or workshops? Are the workshops a continuation of recent ZWM organized events, or something new? Please clarify.
  • A: There is no existing set of lessons or workshops that must be used for this program. ZWM kept the scope intentionally broad to allow for a wide array of workshops to be proposed – e.g. a food preservation workshop, backyard composting workshops, etc. The language around “create, update, or implement” is meant to reflect that some entities might have an existing framework for workshops that they have implemented before, while others might propose to implement an entirely new set of workshops specifically for this program. 
• Q: Re workshop tools and messaging material, is it the intention to use existing ZWM communication material or create new as needed?
  • A: For the actual content of the workshop, the applicant should plan to use their own materials. ZWM may plan to review and make minor adjustments to the content of the workshops as needed. For promotional material, including social media and flyers, the chosen contractor(s) will work with ZWM staff to create those materials.
• Q: Is there a goal beyond “host 3 – 5 workshops or community engagements” – such as population reach or other associated metrics?
  • A: We have not set specific goals around number of attendees or population reach, but we would like for these workshops to be as accessible as possible for a diverse range of audiences across Marin County. 
• Q: We assume as a sponsor of the workshops, ZWM would help promote the workshops.
  • A: Yes, ZWM would work with the awarded contractor(s) to promote the workshops.
• Q: Knowing that it’s more effective to shift behaviors one step at a time, what are the most significant opportunity area(s) Zero Waste Marin is hoping to focus on and address with this engagement? 
  • A: We are excited about opportunities that help people reduce waste at the source, and recognize that there are many different ways to do this. Proposals could focus on the reduction of food waste, reduction of single-use plastic waste, reduction in consumption in general, or an additional topic area.
• Q: How does Zero Waste Marin evaluate the effectiveness of both the understanding and implementation of workshops and community engagements? Will that same evaluating methodology be used for this initiative?
  • A: Evaluation of similar engagements or workshops has been measured in several ways, depending on the project. In the past we have collected surveys on attitudes before and after an intervention, tracked the number of attendees, had exit polls, measured data where available (e.g. pounds of waste prevented). We would work with the chosen contractor to determine what measurement methods are feasible and meaningful.
• Q: Who are the most important groups Zero Waste Marin is hoping to target with this initiative?
  • A: ZWM has not identified “most important groups” for this Request, we are seeking to make zero waste education and resources available to anyone in Marin. 
  • Request for clarification: Are there any population groups who ZWM is seeing struggle more than others with their ability to both understand, and implement core features of zero waste?
  • A: ZWM staff have observed that there are more barriers specifically to waste sorting for residents of apartment buildings / multifamily units due to space constraints, access to bins, and communication from waste haulers usually going to the landlord instead of the tenants. However, beyond waste sorting accessibility, all residents of Marin could benefit from education about reducing waste in general.
• Q: Which populations are meant by “diversity” in this RFI?
  
  • A: We hope to reach folks across spectrums of income, geographical location, and language that reflect the residents of Marin.
• Q: What is meant by “accessible” (ex. Translation services, ADA compliant venues, Distance of travel, Timing, etc.)?
  
  • A: Yes, accessible would mean compliance with ADA standards (our main focuses would be access to a building, size of text and contrast of text on collateral, etc.). We would also like to see a variety of locations across Marin, so that residents in different areas don’t have to drive too far to find an event near them. Finally, having materials available in Spanish would also be considered “access”.
  • Request for clarification: Does this imply the translation efforts (time and cost) would be the responsibility of ZWM or the selected firm?
  • A: ZWM would have the bandwidth to help with translation of a one-pager or social media post, but if significant translation is required then the contractor should build that into their budget as either time or cost. This could be billed to the contract and ultimately paid for by ZWM, provided that it fits within the overall contract budget and scope of work.
• Q: Within the different groups who make up Marin’s community, how has Zero Waste Marin sought to understand what currently is and/ or is not working with each group’s ability to both understand, and implement core features of zero waste? Will this information be accessible to the project awardees?
  • A: All formal reports conducted by or on behalf of ZWM are available on our website: https://zerowastemarin.org/resources/. ZWM staff also have extensive experience on the results of campaigns and outreach efforts and will collaborate with the chosen contractor(s) on their given project.
• Q: Will the work within this engagement exist concurrently amongst other planned initiatives put on by Zero Waste Marin or its affiliates?
  • A: Yes, ZWM will continue to run its existing outreach programs such as the Zero Waste Schools Program, business compliance programs for SB 1383, etc.
• Q: How much interaction with and access to the Zero Waste Marin staff and/ or affiliates throughout the process of creating to completing these engagements should be assumed by the selected firm(s)? 
  • A: ZWM takes a hands-on approach with most outreach-focused contracts. For example, with the Zero Waste Schools Program, ZWM co-creates materials with the contractor, meets once per month with the contractor to hear about the school sites, and helps at some on-site school meetings.
• Q: Would you please clarify what is meant by the term “host” in the scope “Host 3 – 5 workshops or community engagements” Ex. Does this imply locating, coordinating with, scheduling and paying for venues and their staff?
  • A: If the workshop or engagement requires a physical space, then yes, the contractor would be responsible for finding a space that would work for the proposed project(s).
  • Request for clarification: Who would be responsible for covering the costs of the venue – ZWM or the selected firm? 
  • A: With other community contractors that require a physical space to host an event or workshop, ZWM has worked with the contractor to identify free spaces to host events (e.g. public libraries or community centers). If the contractor needs a paid space, the cost would need to fit within the contract amount – in other words, the contractor would need to ensure that it fits within their allocated contract amount, but ultimately ZWM would pay for it under the contract. 
• Q: Would you please clarify what your desired start date for when these would occur and for how long they would continue/ end date?
  • A: ZWM intends to begin the contract on August 1, 2025; this would also be the start date for any work completed under contract. For example, a contractor may wish to utilize the month of August to meet with ZWM staff to have a contract kick-off meeting, prepare necessary educational materials, find sites, etc. We will align the end of this contract with the end of our Fiscal Year on June 30, 2026.