Dakota County - Recycling and Food Scraps Message Testing and Evaluation RFP - 2026
Dakota CountyCounty · Hastings, MN- Due
- Oct 6, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Sep 16, 2026
- Contract term
- 0 years
- Primary contact
- Rachel Kennedy
- (952) 891-7043
The 30-second brief
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department is seeking proposals for research on recycling and food scraps collection messaging. The project involves testing adapted recycling and food scraps messaging on county residents across at least 5 focus groups (at least 2 for recycling, at least 3 for food scraps) to address areas of confusion such as 'Do not bag recyclables', 'Empty and dry', 'Dry goods', and 'BPI certified compostable bags'. The contractor will develop focus group methodology, draft discussion guides, implement data collection, provide a draft and final report with recommendations and appropriate graphics, and supply an Excel file of raw data. The total cost for the contract shall not exceed $32,000. Proposals are due by October 6, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. CST. Questions are due by September 25, 2026. The contract term is anticipated to be from November 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026.
Focus group methodology and schedule, Draft discussion guides, Draft report, Final report, Raw data in Excel file
Project team's experience with community and water supply planning projects, Qualifications of key personnel and experience with similar projects, Performance of the team members and consulting firm with successful delivery of recent similar projects, Budget
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Summary
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department is seeking proposals for research on recycling and food scraps collection messaging.
The project involves testing adapted recycling and food scraps messaging on county residents across at least 5 focus groups (at least 2 for recycling, at least 3 for food scraps) to address areas of confusion such as 'Do not bag recyclables', 'Empty and dry', 'Dry goods', and 'BPI certified compostable bags'. The contractor will develop focus group methodology, draft discussion guides, implement data collection, provide a draft and final report with recommendations and appropriate graphics, and supply an Excel file of raw data. The total cost for the contract shall not exceed $32,000. Proposals are due by October 6, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. CST. Questions are due by September 25, 2026. The contract term is anticipated to be from November 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Project team's experience with community and water supply planning projects, Qualifications of key personnel and experience with similar projects, Performance of the team members and consulting firm with successful delivery of recent similar projects, Budget
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
5- Focus group methodology and schedule
- Draft discussion guides
- Draft report
- Final report
- Raw data in Excel file
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
7- Letter of Transmittal
- Firm Introduction
- Contractor Team Organization
- Qualifications and Experience
- Work Plan and Budget
- Non-Collusion and Conflict of Interest Statement (Attachment E)
- Trade Secret Form (Attachment F)
- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Duration
- 5 months
- Scope location
- Apple Valley, MN
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Dakota County?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 6, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Rachel Kennedy.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Dakota County in MN, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Rachel Kennedy at (952) 891-7043. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Focus group methodology and schedule, Draft discussion guides, Draft report, Final report, Raw data in Excel file. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Project team's experience with community and water supply planning projects, Qualifications of key personnel and experience with similar projects, Performance of the team members and consulting firm w..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Dakota County?
All active and historical solicitations from Dakota County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, Dakota County regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 0 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Letter of Transmittal, Firm Introduction, Contractor Team Organization, Qualifications and Experience, Work Plan and Budget, Non-Collusion and Conflict of Interest Statement (Attachment E), Trade Secr. Review the full document from Dakota County for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Apple Valley, MN. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.