01GO-S3713 - request-for-proposals.docx

Nevada State Purchasing Division Department of Administration 515 E Musser St Ste 300 Carson City, NV 89701 purchasing.nv.gov nevadaepro.com

Request for proposals 01GO-S3713

Release Date July 14, 2026

Solicitation number 01GO-S3713

Single point of contact name Annette Morfin, Purchasing Officer II

Single point of contact email amorfin@admin.nv.gov

Single point of contact phone 775-531-3301

Soliciting agency Nevada State Purchasing Division

Contracting agency Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT)

Solicitation title Environmental Permitting, Right-of-Way, and Historic Preservation Compliance Consulting Services

Deadline for submissions August 27, 2026 @ 1:00 pm

For deaf and hard of hearing, call 711 and ask the relay agency to dial the single point of contact phone number above.

This request for proposals is available at nevadaepro.com as a bid solicitation.

Table of Contents

Applicable regulations governing procurement

Statute and code. All applicable Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) documentation can be found at: www.leg.state.nv.us/law1.html

Single point of contact. Vendors and their representatives shall only contact the single point of contract or use the electronic procurement system regarding this solicitation until after a notice of award (NOA) has been issued. Failure to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of a response per NAC 333.155(3).

Ethics. Prospective vendors are advised to review Nevada’s ethical standards requirements, including but not limited to NRS 281A, NRS 333.800, and NAC 333.155.

Project overview

The Nevada State Purchasing Division, on behalf of the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology (OSIT) is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide environmental permitting, rights-of-way (ROW), easement management, and historic preservation compliance services in support of the State’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The BEAD Program is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. No. 117-58, and administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Vendors are to provide the requested services as described below and in the scope of work and attachments.

OSIT is seeking a third-party environmental/historic preservation contractor firm or company (“Consultant”) to lead and coordinate BEAD-required Environmental & Historic Preservation (EHP) compliance work, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and adherence to all EHP requirements. Applicable federal statutes includes, but are not limited to:

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42.U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.)

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (16U.S.C. § 470 et seq.)

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)

Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.)

Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 (16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.)

All other applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations.

OSIT has made BEAD subgrants to eligible entities for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved locations throughout the State. BEAD subgrantees are required to comply with applicable federal, state, tribal, and local environmental review, permitting, and historic preservation requirements prior to, and during, construction of broadband infrastructure. Failure to manage these compliance obligations efficiently and proactively represents one of the primary schedule and cost risks for BEAD deployments.

The State intends to award one or more contracts in conjunction with this request for proposals (RFP), as determined in the best interests of the State. OSIT shall administer the contract(s) resulting from this solicitation. The resulting contract(s) are expected to be for a contract term of four (4) years, subject to Board of Examiners approval. Contract(s) is anticipated to begin November 15, 2026 and expire on November 30, 2030. There will be a one (1) year renewal option if agreeable to all parties.

Contracting agency background

The State of Nevada awarded $169,749,806 in BEAD Program Funds at the conclusion of the BEAD benefit of the bargain round. This funding will be used to deploy last-mile broadband infrastructure. OSIT has awarded subgrants to 18 eligible entities (subgrantees) operating across 17 counties and service areas. Subgrantees will use subgrants to deploy fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), fixed wireless, hybrid fiber-coax infrastructure and low earth orbiting satellite broadband service in rural, remote, and tribal areas, many of which involve federal and tribal lands, state rights-of-way, and environmentally and historically sensitive areas.

The complexity, volume, and concurrency of permitting and compliance work associated with BEAD subgrantees across the State exceeds OSIT's internal capacity. OSIT therefore seeks a qualified consulting partner to serve as the primary technical resource and compliance support partner for BEAD subgrantees throughout the permitting and environmental review lifecycle.

Goals and objectives

The primary objectives of this engagement are to:

Goal 1: Deliver Subgrantee NEPA Support:

Support OSIT in fulfilling all applicable BEAD program obligations, including OSIT’s mandatory role as join lead agency for NEPA and its permitting streamlining commitments under the BEAD requirements.

Provide high-quality, hands-on technical support to BEAD subgrantees navigating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal and state rights-of-way, tribal ROW and easement, and historic preservation compliance processes.

Operate/Support ESAPTT (NTIA's mandatory Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool) on behalf of OSIT to perform environmental screening, prepare NEPA documentation, and obtain NTIA NEPA approvals in accordance with the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice.

Develop and implement strategic geographic segmentation approaches that maximize categorical exclusion (CE) eligibility, enable parallel permit processing, and reduce overall compliance timelines.

Ensure that no BEAD subgrantee loses funding or experiences preventable construction delays due to unmanaged compliance obligations.

Goal 2: Project Real-Time program Support to OSIT Leadership Provide OSIT Director and operations staff with real-time visibility into the permitting and compliance pipeline through a live progress dashboard and structured weekly briefings.

Develop institutional knowledge and tools that strengthen the State's long-term capacity to manage broadband deployment compliance.

Important Links and Guide Links and Guides The BEAD Program is governed by state and federal rules, statutes, and regulations. All work conducted under this agreement must be managed in accordance with all applicable rules, including but not limited to NTIA BEAD Program guidance and the subsequent BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice.

For more information about the Nevada BEAD program visit the OIST website https://www.osit.nv.gov/broadband/bead/

Scope of work

NEPA Compliance Support

The Contractor shall provide each BEAD subgrantee with an initial NEPA pathway assessment for their entire project deployment area. This assessment shall:

Develop policies, procedures, best management practices related to environmental compliance and a schedule for environmental and permitting review and approval of NEPA documentation submitted by BEAD subrecipients, synchronizing environmental review and permitting processes to the extent practicable.

Identify and evaluate applicable NEPA review pathways, with priority emphasis on pursuing Categorical Exclusions (CEs) under applicable agency NEPA implementing procedures.

Analyze the subgrantee's project footprint and develop a written geographic segmentation strategy that divides the award area into logical review units designed to maximize CE eligibility, minimize triggers for Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) review, and enable concurrent processing of multiple segments.

Identify high-risk geographic segments likely to trigger elevated review (e.g., proximity to wetlands, floodplains, critical habitat, or cultural resource areas) and recommend sequencing to address these proactively without delaying lower-risk segments.

Guide subgrantee in preparing a written NEPA Compliance Plan for each subgrantee documenting the recommended review pathway, segmentation strategy, required documentation, anticipated agency contacts, and projected timeline.

Coordination of all pre-NEPA assessment activities with each subgrantee including all Geophysical testing and drilling. Function as the last point of assurance that all approvals necessary are obtained prior to ground disturbance activities taking place.

Ensure that all subgrantees and subgrantees are properly licensed by the State of Nevada to undertake the construction and testing activities which they assigned by the subgrantee.

Categorical Exclusion Support Where a CE pathway is available, the Contractor shall:

Identify the specific CE category and lead agency responsible for the determination.

Guide subgrantee in preparing and assembling all required CE documentation and supporting materials.

Coordinate with the applicable federal agency(ies) on CE documentation submission.

Track CE application status and follow up with agencies on a regular basis to prevent processing delays.

Advise subgrantees on CE conditions or mitigation measures, if any, required by the reviewing agency.

EA and EIS Management In cases where a CE is denied or is not applicable, the Contractor shall manage the full EA or EIS process, including:

Scoping coordination and agency notification.

Assist subgrantee is preparing a Draft Environmental Assessment or coordination on EIS scoping, as applicable.

Assist subgrantee in preparing for agency review, responding to public comment, and preparing responses to comments.

Advise subgrantee in preparation of mitigation measures and monitoring plans where required.

Assist subgrantee with the lead review agency through issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD).

Lead OSIT effort in preparation and submission of all required progress documentation to NTIA applicable under BEAD program requirements.

Provide regular (at least weekly) real-time updates to OSIT Director or designee on EA progress for each BEAD subgrantee.

Federal Rights-of-Way and Easements

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rights-of-Way The Contractor shall provide comprehensive support to subgrantees seeking BLM rights-of-way grants under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. § 1761 et seq., and applicable BLM regulations at 43 CFR Part 2800. Support shall include:

Develop a preliminary list of all required BLM permits for each BEAD Regional Project Area. List should be sortable by subgrantee and by Regional Project Area.

Assist subgrantee is completion and submission of BLM Form 2800-14 (Right-of-Way Application) and all required attachments, including engineering drawings, environmental reports, and supporting documentation.

Development of a geographic segmentation strategy for BLM ROW applications that allows parallel filing across multiple subgrantee project segments, identifies BLM field office jurisdictions, and sequences applications to prioritize highest-risk or longest-lead segments.

On behalf of OSIT, assist subgrantees with coordination and relationship management with relevant BLM State Offices and Field Offices throughout the application and review process.

Assist subgrantees in preparation of responses to BLM requests for additional information, preparation of Plan of Development (POD) documentation, and coordination on environmental and engineering conditions of approval.

Tracking of all BLM ROW applications in the project dashboard through grant issuance and any required bonding or insurance compliance.

Other Federal Land Management Agencies Where subgrantee deployment routes cross lands managed by agencies other than BLM – including but not limited to the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, or Fish and Wildlife Service – the Contractor shall provide equivalent support services, including application preparation, agency coordination, and tracking through permit issuance.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Rights-of-Way on Tribal Trust and Allotted Land The Contractor shall provide specialized support to subgrantees seeking rights-of-way across tribal trust land and individually owned allotted land under 25 CFR Part 169.

The Contractor must have direct, practical experience with the BIA ROW process and must understand the distinction between tribal trust land, individually owned allotted trust land, and fee land and the different processes and consent requirements applicable to each.

Support shall include:

Develop a preliminary list of all required tribal easements for each BEAD Regional Project Area. List should be sortable by subgrantee and by Regional Project Area.

Assist subgrantee with preparation and submission of BIA ROW applications and all required supporting documentation.

On behalf of OSIT and under the direction of the OSIT Director, coordinate with BIA Regional Offices and Agency Offices throughout the application and review process.

Assist subgrantees in coordination of individual Indian landowner consent processes for allotted land, including coordination of fair market valuations and consent documentation.

Coordination with tribal governments on tribal land ROW applications, consistent with tribal sovereignty and tribal governance processes.

Tracking of all BIA ROW applications through grant issuance and compliance with any grant conditions.

State Department of Transportation (DOT) Permits The Contractor shall have direct, current knowledge of the Nevada Department of Transportation’s (NDOT) utility accommodation policy, encroachment permit process, and any broadband-specific provisions of Nevada law or NDOT policy.

Support shall include:

Develop a preliminary list of all required NDOT permit for each BEAD Regional Project Area. List should be sortable by subgrantee and by Regional Project Area.

Guidance on Nevada DOT permit requirements, including design and engineering standards, bonding and insurance requirements, and traffic control plan requirements.

Assist subgrantee with preparation and submission of encroachment permit applications and required documentation.

Coordination with Nevada DOT district offices throughout the application and review process on behalf of all subgrantees Tracking of NDOT permit applications and management of conditions of approval.

Guidance on the application of any Nevada dig-once, joint-trench, or broadband infrastructure deployment policies that may streamline permitting.

County and Municipal Permitting The Contractor shall develop and maintain a master permitting jurisdiction matrix for each subgrantee’s project area, identifying all county road departments, municipal public works agencies, and other local permitting authorities with jurisdiction over the deployment route.

Support shall include:

Develop a preliminary list of all required County and Municipal permits for each BEAD Regional Project Area. List should be sortable by subgrantee and by Regional Project Area.

Assist subgrantees with preparation and submission of ROW permit applications, franchise agreement requests, and encroachment permits across all applicable local jurisdictions.

Active management of concurrent local permit applications, including follow-up with local authorities, response to requests for information, and escalation of stalled applications.

Tracking of all local permit applications in the project dashboard.

Identification and resolution of conflicts between local permit requirements and federal program requirements.

Tribal Government ROW and Easement Agreements Engagement with tribal governments for rights-of-way and easements is a highly specialized function requiring not only technical knowledge of applicable law but also cultural competency and established relationships with tribal governments.

The Contractor must have demonstrated experience in direct engagement with tribal nations as sovereign governments.

Support shall include:

Identification of tribal nations with potential jurisdiction or interest in subgrantee deployment areas, including review of tribal service territories, ceded lands, and areas of traditional cultural concern.

Development of a government-to-government engagement strategy for each relevant tribal nation, developed in consultation with OSIT and the Nevada Department of Native American Affairs and, where appropriate, the relevant tribal government, respecting tribal sovereignty, governance structures, and communication customs.

Assist subgrantees in preparation and presentation of ROW or easement proposals to tribal councils or designated tribal representatives, in formats and through processes appropriate to each tribal nation's governance preferences.

Assist subgrantees in coordination of tribal resolution processes, including preparation of tribal council resolutions or other required authorization documents, in coordination with tribal legal counsel and BIA as applicable.

Management of compensation and valuation processes for tribal ROW grants consistent with tribal law and BIA requirements.

Ongoing relationship management with tribal governments throughout the engagement period.

Historic Preservation Compliance

Section 106 Consultation – SHPO The Contractor shall provide comprehensive support to subgrantees navigating the Section 106 consultation process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. § 306108, and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 800.

Support shall include:

Initial assessment of the Area of Potential Effects (APE) for each subgrantee project segment.

Develop a preliminary list of all required APEs each BEAD Regional Project Area. List should be sortable by subgrantee and by Regional Project Area.

Identification of applicable federal undertakings and the lead federal agency for Section 106 purposes.

Coordination with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) on project-specific or programmatic consultation, including development of Programmatic Agreements (PAs) or Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) where individual project-by-project consultation is not practicable given the scale of BEAD deployments.

Management of Phase I archaeological survey requirements, including selection and oversight of qualified archaeological contractors where physical survey is required.

Preparation and submission of all SHPO consultation documentation.

Development of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures for any Adverse Effects findings.

Coordination with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) where required.

Tribal Historic and Cultural Resource Review Tribal historic and cultural review processes are distinct from SHPO consultation and must be managed with an understanding of tribal sovereignty and tribal historic preservation law.

The Contractor shall:

Identify all Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) and tribal cultural resource departments with potential interest in subgrantee deployment areas, including areas outside reservation boundaries where tribes may have traditional cultural property (TCP) concerns.

Initiate and manage consultation with THPOs consistent with Section 106 requirements and tribal consultation protocols, understanding that THPO consultation timelines and processes may differ from SHPO review.

Advise subgrantees on tribal cultural resource concerns, including the potential for inadvertent discovery of cultural resources during construction, and ensure appropriate inadvertent discovery protocols are in place.

Coordinate with tribal cultural resource staff on identification of culturally sensitive areas, avoidance measures, and, where required, tribal monitoring during construction.

Maintain respectful, ongoing communication with THPOs and tribal cultural resource staff throughout the engagement period.

Permitting Streamlining & Roundtable Facilitation

The Contractor shall support OSIT in fulfilling it is permitting streamlining obligations under The BEAD General Terms & Conditions:

Establishing & Facilitating Permitting Roundtable(s) and/or working groups comprising relevant federal, state, local, and tribal permitting authorities and industry stakeholders — including utility pole owners, railroads, communications providers, and BEAD subgrantees.

Developing standing Roundtable agendas, providing meeting facilitation support, and preparing meeting summaries and action item logs for each Roundtable session.

Developing and maintaining a permitting complaint tracking log for disputes not timely resolved through normal channels, including subgrantee complaints regarding delays in permit processing, fees that appear to exceed reasonable cost recovery, local authority non-compliance with FCC pole attachment rules, and federal agency ROW processing delays.

Escalating unresolved permitting disputes to NTIA through OSIT's Federal Program Officer using ESAPTT's permitting escalation function, with documentation sufficient for NTIA interagency coordination.

Assisting OSIT in monitoring and documenting compliance with the 90-day broadband permit approval target established in GTC Section 13.D.1.

Supporting OSIT in assisting state and local authorities in establishing single, dedicated points of contact for broadband-related permit applications.

Providing technical assistance templates, including Master Agreement and Consultant Reimbursement Agreement templates, to support permitting agency capacity.

Reporting, Dashboard, and State Broadband Office Interface

Real-Time Permitting Progress Dashboard The Contractor shall develop, deploy, and maintain a real-time permitting and compliance progress dashboard accessible to OSIT.

The dashboard shall be operational within sixty (60) days of contract execution.

The dashboard shall, at a minimum:

Provide a consolidated view of all active NEPA reviews, federal ROW applications, state and local permit applications, tribal ROW and easement processes, and historic preservation consultations across all subgrantees.

Display current status, responsible agency or party, date of last action, next required action, expected completion date, and a risk/status indicator (e.g., Green/Yellow/Red) for each item.

Enable filtering by subgrantee, permit type, agency, geographic area, and risk status.

Provide a summary executive view for OSIT leadership showing overall pipeline health, items at risk, and a 30/60/90-day outlook on anticipated milestones.

Be accessible via web browser without proprietary software licensing requirements and allow Excel export as needed by OSIT staff.

Be updated no less frequently than weekly, and in real time for significant status changes.

Remain the property of the State upon contract expiration or termination, with all underlying data provided to OSIT in a standard, transferable format.

Weekly Briefings with OSIT Leadership and Operations Staff The Contractor shall conduct a structured weekly briefing with the OSIT Director and designated operations staff.

Each briefing shall:

Be conducted in person or via video conference, at OSIT’s discretion.

Be accompanied by a written briefing document delivered no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Cover overall pipeline status; items escalated, at risk, or stalled; any issues requiring OSIT intervention of intergovernmental escalation; and a forward-looking 30/60/90-day outlook on anticipated permitting milestones.

Include a standing agency item for OSIT-initiated questions and direction.

The Contractor shall develop and implement a subgrantee onboarding process that:

Orients each subgrantee to the permitting and compliance requirements applicable to their project.

Collects and reviews subgrantee project information needed to initiate NEPA, ROW, and historic preservation work.

Establishes clear communication protocols and points of contact for ongoing subgrantee support.

Provides subgrantees with accessible explanations of applicable processes, timelines, and their own obligations, in plain language without excessive regulatory jargon.

Produce a series of webinars that can be archived to support this onboarding and support effort.

Document Management The Contractor shall maintain a complete and organized digital record of all permit applications, agency correspondence, compliance documentation, tribal consultation records, and historic preservation materials for each subgrantee.

All records shall be organized by subgrantee and permit type, maintained in a security-cloud-based system accessible to OSIT, and transferred to OSIT upon contract expiration or termination.

Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables, at a minimum.

Proposers may propose additional deliverables that enhance the quality or completeness of services.

D-1: Subgrantee Onboarding Package Within 30 days of contract execution; individual subgrantee onboarding packages will be delivered within 14 days of subgrantee assignment.

D-3: Geographic Segmentation Strategies For each subgrantee (NEPA and federal ROW), within 45 days of subgrantee assignment.

D-4: Federal ROW Application Packages

As required per subgrantee project schedule; all required BLM Form 2800-14, BIA, and other federal agency application materials.

D-5: State and Local Permit Applications

As required per subgrantee project schedule and applicable jurisdiction timelines.

D-7: Historic Preservation Documentation

Section 106 consultation documentation, SHPO/THPO correspondence, PA/MOA drafts as applicable.

D-10: Complaint Tracking System

Develop a complaint tracking process within 60 days.

D-11: Weekly Briefing Documents

Delivered no later than 24 hours prior to each weekly meeting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposals that do not clearly demonstrate all of the following minimum qualifications shall be deemed non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

Proposers bear the burden of demonstrating that these minimum qualifications are met through the content of their proposals.

Firm-Level Minimum Qualifications

A minimum of five (5) years of experience managing NEPA compliance for linear infrastructure projects (telecommunications, pipeline, electric transmission, or comparable) in rural and/or tribal environments.

Demonstrated experience pursuing Categorical Exclusions and managing Environmental Assessments for telecommunications or comparable infrastructure projects, including at least two (2) completed EA processes as the managing consulting.

Demonstrated experience with BLM ROW grant processes under FLPMA and 43 CFR Part 2800, including preparation and submission of BLM Form 2800-14 applications and management through ROW grant issuance.

Demonstrated experience with BIA ROW processes under 25 CFR Part 169 for tribal trust and/or allotted land, including coordination with BIA Regional and Agency offices and management of individual Indian landowner consent processes.

Demonstrated experience managing Section 106 NHPA consultation, including SHPO coordination, Phase I archaeological survey oversight, and Programmatic Agreement development, for linear infrastructure projects.

Demonstrated experience in direct engagement with tribal nations as sovereign governments on infrastructure ROW, historic preservation, or comparable matters, including THPO consultation and tribal council engagement.

Demonstrated experience with Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) utility accommodation and encroachment permitting processes.

Proposers based outside Nevada must document direct experience with NDOT permitting or provide a detailed plan for developing this expertise.

Prior experience on BEAD, ReConnect, USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine, or comparable federally funded broadband deployment programs is strongly preferred.

Properly licensed to do business in the State of Nevada and perform all tasks outlined in the scope of work.

Key Personnel Minimum Qualifications

The following key personnel positions shall be identified by name in the proposal.

Proposers shall provide a resume for each named key personnel.

Substitution of key personnel during the contract term shall require prior written approval of OSIT.

Project Director The Project Director shall serve as the primary point of contact for the OSIT Director or the OSIT designee and shall be responsible for overall contract performance, subgrantee support quality and reporting.

Minimum qualifications:

Ten (10) or more years of experience managing environmental permitting and compliance consulting engagements for infrastructure projects.

Demonstrated experience managing multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional permitting processes for large-scale or geographically distributed projects.

Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-specialist clients.

NEPA Compliance Lead The NEPA Compliance Lead shall be responsible for all NEPA-related work across subgrantees.

Minimum qualifications:

Seven (7) or more years of direct NEPA project management experience.

Demonstrated experience preparing CE documentation and managing the CE determination process with at least two (2) federal agencies.

Demonstrated experience managing EA processes for linear infrastructure projects, including scoping, document preparation, agency coordination, and FONSI coordination.

Familiarity with NTIA NEPA implementing procedures and BEAD program NEPA requirements is strongly preferred.

Federal Permitting Lead The Federal Permitting Lead shall be responsible for all BLM and other federal ROW work and for BIA ROW processes on non-tribal trust land.

Minimum qualifications:

Seven (7) or more years of experience managing federal ROW applications for linear infrastructure projects.

Direct experience with BLM ROW processes including BLM Form 2800-14 preparation, BLM field office coordination, and ROW grant management.

Direct experience with BIA ROW processes under 25 CFR Part 169, including allotted land consent processes.

Established working relationships with BLM State and/or Field Offices in (State or region) are strongly preferred.

Tribal Engagement Specialist Given the sensitivity and significance of tribal engagement, this shall be a separately identified key personnel position.

The Tribal Engagement Specialist shall lead all direct engagement with tribal nations, BIA, and THPOs.

Minimum qualifications:

Seven (7) or more years of experience in direct government-government consultation with tribal nations on infrastructure, natural resources, cultural resources, or comparable matters.

Deep knowledge of tribal sovereignty, tribal governance structures, and the Federal Trust Responsibility.

Direct experience with the BIA ROW process for tribal trust land under 25 CFR Part 169.

Experience working with THPOs and tribal cultural resource programs on Section 106 consultation.

Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to communicate and engage respectfully with tribal governments consistent with tribal customs and preferences.

Personal tribal affiliation, membership in a tribal nation, or significant community experience with tribal nations in Nevada is strongly preferred and shall be weighted positively in evaluation.

Existing professional relationships with tribal nations in Nevada are strongly preferred.

Historic Preservation Specialist The Historic Preservation Specialist shall be responsible for all Section 106 SHPO and THPO consultation work.

Minimum qualifications:

Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology, History, or Architectural History (36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A), or is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).

Five (5) or more years of experience managing Section 106 consultation processes for linear infrastructure projects.

Demonstrated experience developing Programmatic Agreements (Pas) or Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) for large-scale or geographi9cally distributed infrastructure projects.

Experience working with the Nevada SHPO is strongly preferred.

State and Local Permitting Lead The State and Local Permitting Lead shall be responsible for Nevada DOT and local government permitting.

Minimum qualifications:

Five (5) or more years of experience managing state DOT and local government ROW permit processes for linear infrastructure projects.

Direct experience with Nevada DOT utility accommodation policy and encroachment permit process.

Experience managing high-volume concurrent local permit applications across multiple jurisdictions.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals shall be submitted in the format described below.

Proposals that do not conform to the required format may be deemed non-responsive.

Page limits, where specified, are firm.

Use a minimum 11-point font with one-inch margins.

Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal shall not exceed 60 pages, excluding resumes and past performance references and shall include the following sections:

Cover Letter and Executive Summary - maximum three (3) pages.

Provide a brief executive summary of the Proposer’s qualifications, approach, and understanding of OSIT’s needs.

The Cover Letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the firm.

Firm Qualifications and Experience - maximum ten (10) pages.

Describe the Proposer’s experience with each of the core competency areas covered by this RFP: NEPA compliance, federal ROW and permitting, state and local permitting, tribal ROW and easement engagement, and historic preservation compliance.

For each area, provide at least two (2) project-specific examples demonstrating relevant experience, including project name, client, role of the Proposer, description of work performed, and outcome.

BEAD or comparable broadband program experience shall be specifically highlighted.

Key Personnel – maximum two (2) pages per person, plus resumes.

Identify all proposed key personnel by name and position.

Provide full name and title, current role and years of experience, description of relevant experience directly applicable to this engagement, and any existing relationships with agencies, tribal nations, or Nevada DOT staff relevant to this engagement.

Resumes for all key personnel must be attached and shall not count against the page limit.

Technical Approach and Work Plan – maximum 25 pages.

Describe in detail the Proposer’s technical approach to each scope of work element, including:

NEPA compliance approach and CE strategy methodology;

Geographic segmentation methodology for both NEPA and federal ROW including an illustrative case study or methodology narrative from prior work;

Federal ROW application management approach;

State and local permitting management approach;

Tribal engagement approach, including cultural competency practices and protocols for government -to-government engagement;

Historic preservation compliance approach; and Subgrantee onboarding and support mode.

Dashboard and Reporting Approach – maximum 5 pages.

Describe the proposed real-time permitting dashboard, including platform, key features, access controls, and data transfer provisions.

Provide screenshots or mockups of the proposed dashboard interface if available. Describe the proposed format and structure of the weekly briefing document.

Staffing Plan – maximum 5 pages.

Describe the proposed staffing structure for this engagement, including the number and roles of staff to be assigned, estimated level of effort by staff level for each scope area, and approach to managing concurrent work across multiple subgrantees.

Describe the Proposer’s approach to maintaining continuity of key personnel throughout the contract term.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management – maximum 5 pages.

Describe the Proposer’s quality assurance approach for deliverables, its approach to identifying and managing permitting risks, and its escalation protocols for stalled applications, agency disputes, or tribal consultation complications.

Past Performance

Provide references for a minimum of three (3) engagements completed within the past five (5) years that are most relevant to this RFP.

For each reference, provide: client name and agency; scope of engagement; contract value; performance period; and the name, title, telephone number, and email address of a client representative who may be contacted as a reference.

OSIT reserves the right to contact references and to consider past performance information from sources other than those provided by the Proposer.

References are emailed directly to the Single Point of Contact listed on the 1st page of this RFP. References are sent directly from the person/company supplying the reference.

Price Proposal

The Price Proposal shall be submitted in a separate attachment using the Cost Schedule that is attached in NevadaePro and shall include:

A fully loaded hourly rate schedule for all proposed staff classifications. Rates must be fully loaded and inclusive of all overhead, fringe benefits, G&A, and profit.

Separate rates shall be provided for the base year and each option year.

An estimated level of effort and associated cost estimate for the full scope of work based on (X) subgrantees over the initial contract term.

OSIT acknowledges that actual scope will vary by subgrantee and that a fixed-price arrangement may not be appropriate for all elements.

Proposers may propose a hybrid pricing structure with fixed-price deliverables for certain elements and time-and-materials pricing for others.

A description of the proposed contract structure, identifying which elements of the scope the Proposer proposes to price on a fix-price, time-and materials, or task order basis.

Identification of any proposed subcontractors, their roles, and their proposed hourly rates.

Contracted Vendor(s) Requirement

Contracted Vendor(s) must provide a minimum of six (6) months of transition assistance at contract expiration or termination, including complete data export, document transfer, and knowledge transfer to OSIT or a successor contractor.

Attachments

Attachments incorporated by reference. To be read and not returned.

Terms and conditions for services

Attachments for review. To be read and not returned (unless redlining).

Standard form contract Insurance schedule

Attachments for response. To be completed and returned.

Reference questionnaire Vendor information response Cost schedule Certification regarding lobbying

Timeline

Questions. All questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted using the bid Q&A feature at nevadaepro.com.

Timeline. The following represents the proposed timeline for this project.

All times stated are Pacific Time (PT).

These dates represent a tentative schedule of events.

The State reserves the right to modify these dates at any time.

The deadline for submissions is the nevadaepro.com bid opening date and time. Late quotes will not be accepted.

Evaluation

Evaluation and scoring are conducted in accordance with NRS 333.335 and NAC 333.160-333.165.

Responses shall be kept confidential until a contract is awarded.

In the event the solicitation is withdrawn prior to award, responses remain confidential.

The evaluation committee is an independent committee established to evaluate and score qualitative evaluation factors for the solicitation.

The State, at its option, may limit participation in cost scoring, presentations, or both to vendors above a natural break in relative scores.

Financial stability shall be scored on a pass or fail basis.

Responses shall be consistently evaluated and scored based upon the following factors and relative weights.

Cost factor. The cost factor score is based on the following equation, unless the subject solicited requires alternative scoring. The highest proposed cost from any vendor and the lowest proposed cost from any vendor will be added together to generate a combined total. For each vendor, that proposed cost will be subtracted from the previously combined total. This number is then divided by the highest proposed cost. The resulting number is multiplied by the cost factor weight to generate a weighted cost score.

Best and final offers. Pursuant to NAC 333.165, the State reserves the right to permit revised responses or add criteria to obtain the best offers. Vendors are encouraged to submit their best offer at time of initial response.

Mandatory minimum requirements

Pursuant to NRS 333.311 a contract cannot be awarded to a response that does not comply with the requirements listed in this section. Response shall include confirmation of compliance with all mandatory minimum requirements.

Nevada Law and State indemnity. Pursuant to NRS 333.339, any contract that is entered into may not: (1) require the filing of any action or the arbitration of any dispute that arises from the contract to be instituted or heard in another state or nation; or (2) require the State to indemnify another party against liability for damages.

No Boycott of Israel. Pursuant to NRS 333.338, the State of Nevada cannot enter a contract with a company unless that company agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in a boycott of Israel. By submitting a response, vendor agrees that if it is awarded a contract, it will not engage in a boycott of Israel as defined in NRS 333.338(3)(a).

nevadaepro.com vendor registration. Pursuant to NRS 333.313, vendor must be registered at nevadaepro.com to respond to the solicitation. Vendor information must match Nevada business license and sam.gov entity registration. Vendor information in nevadaepro.com will be used for contract formation. Email address(es) associated with general mailing address or default bid mailing address (if different from general mailing address) in nevadaepro.com will be used for formal notifications. If a vendor has a different contact name and email for negotiations, that should be indicated on the title page(s) of their response.

Nevada business license. Pursuant to NRS 353.007, prior to contract execution awarded vendor must hold a state business license pursuant to NRS chapter 76 unless exempted by NRS 76.100(7)(b). Business license must match nevadaepro.com vendor registration.

System for Award Management (sam.gov) Prior to contract award vendor must hold an active entity registration in sam.gov. Entity registration must match nevadaepro.com vendor registration.

Contract responsibility. Awarded vendor shall be the sole point of contract responsibility. The State shall look solely to the awarded vendor for the performance of all contractual obligations which may result from an award based on this solicitation, and the awarded vendor shall not be relieved for the non-performance of any or all subcontractors.

Data encryption and stateside data. State IT requires that data be encrypted in transit and in rest. State IT requires that State data assets must be maintained in the United States and data will not be held offshore.

Confidentiality and certification of indemnification

Submitted responses, which are marked confidential in their entirety, or those in which a significant portion of the submitted response is marked confidential may not be accepted. Pursuant to NRS 333.333, only proprietary information may be labeled a trade secret as defined in NRS 600A.030(5). All proposals are confidential until the contract is awarded; at which time, both successful and unsuccessful vendor proposals become public information.

Vendors shall submit proprietary information and confidential business information in separate files, flagged as confidential in nevadaepro.com. The State is not responsible for any information contained within a response; responses shall be released as submitted.

By submitting a response vendor acknowledges its responsibility to act in protection of labeled information and agrees to defend and indemnify the State of Nevada for honoring such designation. Failure to so act shall constitute a complete waiver, and all submitted information shall become public information; additionally, failure to label any information that is released by the State shall constitute a complete waiver of any and all claims for damages caused by the release of the information.

Vendor certifications

Vendor understands and acknowledges that the representations within their response are material and important and are relied on by the State in evaluation of the response. Any vendor misrepresentations can be treated as fraudulent concealment from the State of the true facts relating to the response.

Any and all prices that may be charged under the terms of the contract do not and shall not violate any existing federal, State, or municipal laws or regulations concerning discrimination or price fixing. Vendor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the State harmless from liability for any such violation.

All response terms, including prices, shall remain in effect for a minimum of 180 days after the response due date. In the case of the awarded vendor, all response terms, including prices, shall remain in effect throughout the contract term.

The price(s) and amount of this response have been arrived at independently and without consultation, communication, agreement or disclosure with or to any other contractor, vendor, or potential vendor. No attempt has been made at any time to induce any firm or person to refrain from proposing or to submit a response higher than this response, or to submit any intentionally high or noncompetitive response. All responses shall be made in good faith and without collusion.

The information included in this response has been arrived at independently and without non-public information obtained from State officials, staff, or their agents.

All employees and contractors assigned to the project are authorized to work in this country.

Vendor has a written equal opportunity policy that does not discriminate in employment practices with regard to race, color, national origin, physical condition, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, developmental disability or disability of another nature.

Vendor has a written policy regarding compliance for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Critical items

In addition to the scope of work and attachments, the items listed in this section are critical to the success of the project. These items will be used in evaluating and scoring responses. Vendor response should address items in this section in enough detail to provide evaluators an accurate understanding of vendor capabilities. Responses that fail to sufficiently respond to these items may be considered non-responsive.

Standard form contract. The State strongly prefers vendors agree to the terms of the attached standard form contract as is. Ability to agree to contract terms is a high priority to the State. Vendors who cannot agree to the contract as is must include a redlined Word version of the attached standard form contract with their response, with comments justifying the benefit to the State for each requested change. To the extent a vendor has prior contractual dealings with the State, no assumption should be made that terms outside those provided herein have any influence on this project.

Indemnification. Required contract terms on Indemnification: "To the fullest extent permitted by law, Contractor shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend, not excluding the State’s right to participate, the State from…