The City of Ames is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide curbside recycling collection services for the City of Ames and other participating agencies. The services include furnishing approximately 96-gallon carts, collecting recyclable materials on an every-other-week basis, and delivering the collected materials to a designated recycling facility. The contract term is five years, with options to extend for up to two three-year periods. The City is looking for a firm that can provide efficient, customer-friendly, and environmentally responsible services. Some key requirements include: * Providing carts that meet ANSI Z245.30 and ANSI Z245.60 standards * Collecting recyclable materials on an every-other-week basis * Delivering collected materials to a designated recycling facility * Providing customer service and education on recycling programs * Maintaining accurate records and reports * Complying with all applicable laws and regulations * Providing a plan for addressing contamination and non-compliant materials * Offering options for customization of carts and educational materials Some of the key evaluation criteria include: * Qualifications and experience with recyclable waste collection and disposal * Customer service provided to past and current customers and references * Adequacy of proposed materials, equipment, timeline, and services to meet the City's needs * Proposed fees * Compliance with the draft contract provided in the RFP