Apalachee Regional Planning Council
RFQ for Brownfield Services
APALACHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Environmental Consulting Services
RFQ Release Date: September 15, 2017
Qualifications Due Date: September 29, 2017
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Purpose of this Request for Qualifications
The Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC), through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), is seeking a qualified environmental consulting firm to provide assistance with the recently awarded United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Brownfields Assessment Grant for implementation of Phase I and II Environmental Assessment, Asbestos Inspections, cleanup and redevelopment planning, community outreach, and other components of the EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant for which funding is secured. This solicitation is being issued to comply with Federal procurement standards outlined in CFR §200.317 - CFR §200.326 that are applicable to hiring of consulting firms to assist communities with grants awarded.
1.2 Background Information
The ARPC’s objective of their U.S. EPA brownfields program is to promote redevelopment of brownfield properties located within their nine county jurisdiction (Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon and Wakulla Counties and their municipalities). The ARPC may expand their objectives under this contract at a later date to include cleanup of individual sites targeted for assessment, dependent upon future availability of funding. The successful consultant will bring experience and insight to the ARPC to obtain and implement this brownfields assessment grant and explore other funding and brownfields initiatives as funds become available.
The number and location of brownfields sites within the ARPC is presently undetermined. One goal of the U.S. EPA assessment grant is to develop a brownfields inventory to promote effective planning by the ARPC in implementing the brownfields program.
1.3 Type of Contract and Contract Term
The ARPC will award a single three-year contract to one full-service firm to implement U.S. EPA brownfields grant funds in support of their brownfield program. The initial contract may be extended at the option of the ARPC for an additional two years.
2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2.1 Activities Required Under this Request for Qualifications
This RFQ is to solicit for a qualified environmental consultant who is expected to provide a wide range of environmental services to the ARPC. The scope of work to be performed under this contract by the consultant at a minimum is expected to include:
• Assist the ARPC with budget management tracking of grant funds.
• Assist the ARPC with annual EPA reporting requirements.
• Assist with a brownfields inventory of potential hazardous substance and petroleum.
• Prepare and maintain schedules and budgets for assessment and/or cleanup activities.
• Preparation of a written Generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) in compliance with U.S.
EPA requirements.
• Preparation of Site-specific QAPP Addendum for each property where a Phase II ESA will be performed.
• Perform and complete Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments (ESAs), site investigations, remedial planning and other environmental requirements under applicable State of Florida environmental regulations and ASTM standards.
• Attend meetings with the ARPC and advisory committees as requested.
• Prepare presentations to provide information about the project's progress as requested.
• Provide assistance with community outreach and public engagement.
• Prepare additional grant applications in support of redevelopment.
• Prepare Grant Close-out Report(s).
2.2 Minimum Requirements
Responses will be evaluated per the requirements specified in Section 3.3 Qualifications. Qualified respondents will also meet the following requirements of this Request for Qualifications.
• Firm will have at least one (1) full-time State of Florida licensed professional geologist in good standing.
• Firm will have at least one (1) full-time State of Florida professional engineer in good standing.
• Firm will have at least one (1) full time State of Florida Licensed Asbestos Consultant.
• Proposed Project Manager has a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience working with the State of Florida environmental regulations.
• Firm must have demonstrated experience in implementing a minimum of five (5) EPA funded brownfields grant programs in the State of Florida.
2.3 Project Budget
The total budget for the - EPA brownfields assessment grant is $300,000. The ARPC and the successful consultant will develop a project specific scope of services to fulfill the project requirements of the brownfield grant funds. The budget for any future related grants executed under this contract will be negotiated with the consultant if and when such funding becomes available. It will be the ARPC’s option to utilize this contract for future brownfields grants beyond the initial U.S. EPA assessment grant application and implementation projects.
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General Expectations
Consultants are asked to submit concise qualifications describing their experience within the - EPA brownfield program as well as their ability to manage and implement these types of grant funded projects. The response should include a clear outline of how the firm would help the ARPC to implement their brownfields program and highlight their experience and successes managing such EPA Brownfields Assessment grants.
3.2 General Process
The ARPC will review and evaluate qualifications with the following criteria in mind: expertise related to relevant project components; firm and staff experience related to brownfields assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment; project approach; ability to facilitate public outreach activities; grant writing experience and demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive environmental services. The ARPC reserves the right to accept or reject responses on any basis it deems appropriate.
3.3 Qualifications
Responses should be prepared on standard size 8 ½ x 11-inch paper. Standard advertising brochures should not be included in the response. The response shall include the following information in the order presented below. Qualifications will be evaluated based on a 100 Point Scale as follows:
SECTION A Qualifications and Capabilities
This section shall include the firm's name, areas of expertise, a brief history of the firm, size, number of office locations, and business address of the office responsible for this contract. The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person responsible for their submittal shall be included. In addition, the following information shall be provided:
· General description of firm’s history providing U.S. EPA brownfields services including grant writing and other related redevelopment funding and incentives.
· Project experience in implementing the requirements of U.S. EPA grant funded projects including programmatic requirements.
· Experience of the firm in completing Phase I and Phase II ESAs.
· General description of the firm’s services including experience for this contract in providing additional eligible assessment services including but not limited to: asbestos surveys, mold surveys, lead paint surveys, and wetlands and natural resource surveys.
0-25 pts.
· Summary of experience conducting community involvement and engagement activities related to brownfields program.
· Ability to perform environmental inventories utilizing GIS in conjunction with U.S. EPA brownfields grants. Knowledge and experience pertaining to EPA and state regulations shall be demonstrated.
SECTION B Technical Approach
· Description of the firm’s technical approach to complete the tasks required of EPA brownfield grants funded projects including grant writing as described in Section 2.1 under Technical Specifications.
0-25pts.
SECTION C Local Experience and Knowledge
· Demonstrate local knowledge of the ARPC’s region and understanding of redevelopment planning and goals.
SECTION D Project Staff
· Brief biographical summaries of related experience for staff members working on the project.
· Organizational chart.
· Resumes for key project personnel assigned to this project. Indicate the project manager who will be responsible for ensuring the project success. Provide no more than ten (10) resumes.
0-5pts.
0-20pts.
SECTION E References
0-25pts.
· Project summary of relevant brownfield experience and contact information for three (3) recent (current project or project completed within the past three years) client references with name, email address, and phone number for each.
3.4 Terms and Conditions
The process of selecting organizations to provide consultation services for the ARPC's benefit requires the accumulation of comprehensive and accurate information to ensure that a knowledgeable, objective decision can be made as well as compliance with Federal procurement standards outlined in CFR §200.317 - §200.326 for the implementation portion of this proposal and subsequent successful grant applications.
The ARPC reserves the right to accept or reject all proposals or portions thereof without stated cause. The ARPC reserves the right to re-issue any RFQ or cancel the RFQ if none of the proposals are deemed satisfactory to the ARPC.
Upon selection of a finalist, the ARPC by its proper officials shall attempt to negotiate and reach a final agreement with the finalist. If the ARPC, for any reason, is unable to reach a final agreement with this finalist; the ARPC then reserves the right to reject such finalist and negotiate a final agreement with another finalist who has the next most viable proposal. The ARPC may also elect to reject all proposals and re-issue a new RFQ.
Clarification of proposals: The ARPC reserves the right to obtain clarification of any point in a Proposer's proposal or obtain additional information. Any request for clarification or other correspondence related to the RFQ shall be emailed to Jcrozier@thearpc.com and a response shall be provided within 2 business days.
The ARPC reserves the right to waive any formalities, defects, or irregularities, in any proposal, response, and/or submittal where the acceptance, rejection, or waiving of such is in the best interests of the ARPC. The ARPC reserves the right to disqualify any proposal, before or after opening, upon evidence of collusion, intent to defraud, or any other illegal practice on the part of the Proposer.
3.5 Public Information
Information supplied by the Proposer to the ARPC is subject to the Florida Public Records Law. Florida law provides that municipal records shall at all times be open for personal inspection by any person, Section 119.01, F.S., The Public Records Law. Information and materials received by the ARPC in connection with all Proposers’ response shall be deemed to be public records subject to public inspection upon award, recommendation for award, or 30 days after bid opening, whichever occurs first. Section 119.071, F.S.
3.6 Proposal Time Schedule
The timeline for completion of this request for proposals is outlined below.
September 15, 2017 Formal announcement date for RFQ.
September 29, 2017 – 3:00PM EDT: Deadline for submittal of proposals.
October 13, 2017 Notification of award.
October 20, 2017 Award of contract by APRC.
3.7 Notification of Award
The ARPC plans to select a consultant with Council approval by October 13, 2017. Should either party fail to execute a contract within 30 days of notification of award, the ARPC reserves the right to rescind the award and select services from another interested firm.
3.8 Number of Proposals to Submit; Deadline, Mail, and Hand Delivery Addresses
One (1) original and one (1) digital (PDF) copy of the proposal must be submitted by 3:00 PM EDT on September 29. 2017. The mailing and hand delivery address is:
Apalachee Regional Planning Council
Attn: Joe Crozier, (Environmental Program Manager)
2507 Callaway Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850)488-6211 ext. 104
Email Contact: Jcrozier@thearpc.com
3.9 Late Proposals
Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
4. VENDOR REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Contracting with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
It is U.S. EPA policy to award a fair share of contracts to disadvantaged business firms. Accordingly, affirmative steps must be taken to ensure that disadvantaged businesses are utilized when possible as sources of supplies, equipment, and services. The ARPC will ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that at least the U.S. EPA "fair share" objectives for prime contracts and subcontracts are made available to organizations owned or controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and historically black colleges and universities. The consultant shall agree to support the U.S. EPA's disadvantaged business enterprise contract procurement program ensuring those businesses' participation in subcontracts.
Affirmative steps include the following as a minimum:
· Including qualified disadvantaged businesses on solicitation lists;
· Ensuring that disadvantaged businesses are solicited whenever they are potential sources;
· When economically feasible, dividing total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities so as to permit disadvantaged business participation;
· Consultants are encouraged to procure goods and services from disadvantaged businesses.
4.2 Equal Employment Opportunity
The Proposer agrees to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, resolutions, ordinances, rules, regulations, and executive orders pertaining to unlawful discrimination on account of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual preference, disability, or age. When required by law or requested by the ARPC, the Proposer shall furnish a written affirmative action plan.
4.3 Insurance Requirements
Prior to award, the successful bidder will be required to furnish evidence of insurance as follows:
Comprehensive General Liability: Limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage including premises and/or operations, independent contractors, products and/or completed operations, broad form property damage and contractual liability endorsement.
Business Auto Liability: Covering any auto with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence with combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage. This shall include owned vehicles, hired and non-owner vehicles and employee non-ownership.
Professional Liability and Errors and Omissions: The Consultant shall carry Professional Liability Insurance with a coverage minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Workers' Compensation: The Consultant shall carry Workers' Compensation coverage to apply for all employees for statutory limits and shall include employer's liability with a limit of $1,000,000 each accident, $1,000,000 disease policy limits, $1,000,000 disease limit each employee.
All policies shall provide a 30-day notice of cancellation or modification of coverages. Prior to commencement of work, the proper insurance certificates shall be provided to and approved by the Apalachee Regional Planning Council.
