Dakota County, Minnesota, seeks to contract for consulting services to provide technical assistance to K-12 schools to enhance the County’s existing efforts and divert waste. School recruitment for the School Program will not be necessary, as Dakota County has already recruited schools for the 2025-2026 school year. The County estimates 15-20 schools will participate, with the majority of schools receiving a large grant. Specific Contractor responsibilities vary dependent on the type of grant (large or mini), grant request category (e.g., traditional organics vs. wasted food prevention) and current grant progress. The specific School Program technical assistance responsibilities outlined below encompass typical Contractor responsibilities for large grants, as mini grants will typically have less Contractor obligations. Components of Contractor work will continue during the summer months. The Contractor and the Dakota County School Waste Prevention & Recycling Program Coordinator (County Liaison) will collaboratively refine specific responsibilities of each school grant project in accordance with Program guidelines at the first check-in meeting and each participating school’s kickoff meeting. Initial site visits and recommendations have already been completed for approximately 10 schools receiving large grants. For these schools, Contractor technical assistance will focus on project implementation, Green Team engagement, and accurate program measurement/reporting. Approximately 5-10 schools have not yet received initial site visits and will need all steps of School Program technical assistance outlined below completed. Project outcomes for all School Program participants include accurate documentation of: • Reduction in the amount of waste generated (e.g., waste avoided, items reused), • Increased recycling and organics collection (e.g., source-separated), and/or • Decreased food waste, with more edible food donated or eaten. Student Green Team engagement is required for schools receiving a large grant and these schools are responsible for identifying a staff Green Team leader. Green Teams are encouraged but optional for schools receiving mini grants. New or existing Green Teams have various levels of current project engagement. The Contractor will assist an estimated 10-15 school Green Teams with a plan to support grant implementation and education on how to recycle right.
