On July 1, the city of Sparks, Nevada, began outsourcing a majority of its street sweeping duties to a private, California-based contractor. The move will save the city approximately $107,000 in the first year.
According to reports, of the eight bids submitted, Contract Sweeping Services had the fifth lowest bid, and was selected. The city also submitted a bid, using a city employee rate guided by a 2012 union contract. That rate was compared to the cost-per-mile calculations from the other contractors.
Arterial streets will be cleaned every other week, while median, islands and residential streets are cleared every 60 days.
The city will hold on to the five cleaning vehicles it currently owns.
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Details on the vendor selected are also available.
Update: Since the article above was published, the city of Sparks, NV, found that Contract Sweeping Services was not in compliance with its contract, and moved to terminate the contract.