The city requires a technical adviser ahead of procurement of the 80,000 tonne plant early next year.
A private partner will be chosen through a request for qualifications to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the facility in a long-term agreement. The federal government will contribute up to $16.9m, 25% of the project costs.
The facility, to be located in the industrial area of Port Kells, will be the largest of its kind in the country and will process residential and commercial kitchen and yard waste into a renewable fuel.