The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has voted to begin negotiations with FCC Environmental Services as the potential new solid waste collection provider. This decision follows a thorough Request for Proposal (RFP) process focused on meeting Buncombe County residents' diverse collection needs and ensuring effective waste management practices.
Key RFP priorities include:
- Seven-year contract with one-year extension option
- Weekly trash pickup and bi-weekly recycling
- Implementation of a doctor’s note program, which provides premium service for qualifying seniors who are unable to take their carts to collection points
- Subscription cost adjustments linked to Consumer Price Index after two years
- Waste and recycling cart transition plan
- Bear carts for wildlife concerns
- Bulky waste pickup
- Specialized trucks for hard-to-reach areas
Two responsible responsive bids were received – one from Waste Pro and one from FCC Environmental Services. The evaluation process was rigorous with a clear scoring matrix guiding companies to address County priorities. Companies attended a pre-meeting conference, submitted applications, and participated in interviews. FCC Environmental Services demonstrated understanding of the service area, detailed plans, and commitment to effective customer communication and technology use.
Following the negotiation process, staff will bring back the final agreement to the Board of Commissioners for two readings for approval of the final franchise agreement.