Bundle Waste
A useful waste tender gives each bidder the same site information and asks for the same pricing structure. Decide how proposals will be assessed before comparing their totals. A lower headline price does not prove a better or cheaper complete service.
1. Establish the baseline
Gather agreements, invoices, bin registers, collection records and known material quantities. Label estimates and disclose unusual peaks. Confirm the existing contract's notice dates before proposing a start date.
2. Write the service brief
- Addresses, access windows, vehicle constraints and site contacts.
- Waste descriptions, bin types, quantities and proposed frequencies.
- Accepted-material requirements and any specialist assessment already completed.
- Required reporting, incident handling and missed-service escalation.
- Proposed commencement, equipment changes and transition responsibilities.
3. Require a comparable price schedule
Ask for collection, rental, transport, processing, minimum charges, additional services and GST treatment as applicable. Require bidders to state assumptions, exclusions, weight limits and the basis of future price changes. Ask how departures from the brief affect the price.
4. Evaluate more than the headline total
| Criterion | Evidence to assess |
|---|---|
| Service fit | Coverage, access plan, material acceptance and resources for the proposed work |
| Cost | Total over a common period and clearly stated volume assumptions |
| Destination | Receiving route and relevant permissions for the specific waste |
| Reliability and remedies | Service standards, escalation and agreed response commitments |
| Reporting | Sample records distinguishing measurements from estimates |
| Commercial terms | Renewal, price changes, termination and responsibility allocation |
5. Resolve terms and transition
For contract-law guidance, see Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: Contracts. Obtain advice on the specific agreement before relying on a legal remedy.
Agree old-bin removal, new-bin delivery, staff instructions, first collections and a review of the first invoice. Maintain a contingency for an interrupted collection during handover. Keep evaluation notes and the selected proposal's assumptions for future reviews.
Prepare the baseline with the audit checklist and use the contract checklist before signing.
Sources
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — Contracts. Checked 18 September 2026; Unfair contract terms; Small business and unfair contract terms.