1-4517 Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure - FINAL.pdf

CITY OF NORWALK

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

08052025

SEALED RFPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, 125 EAST AVENUE NORWALK, CT 06851

BY THE DATE AND TIME OF RFP OPENING

PROJECT NUMBER: 4517

REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: Planning and Zoning

DATE OF RFP ISSUANCE: 05/04/2026

TITLE OF RFP: Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure

RFI/QUESTION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 05/18/2026

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 06/01/2026

HARD COPY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: N/A

MANDATORY WALKTHROUGH:

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF WALKTHROUGH

YES ( ) NO (X )

N/A

TIME/DATE OF RFP OPENING: 2:00 PM 06/01/2026

RFP DEPOSIT REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES ( ) NO (X )

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

PERFORMANCE & PAYMENT BOND REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES ( ) NO (X )

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

MAINTENANCE BOND REQUIRED:

YES ( ) NO ( X)

ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SPECIFICATIONS AND BID FORMS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR A BID TO BE COMPLIANT

1. BIDDER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

2. RFP FORMS, INCLUDING PRICING SHEETS AND ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS

3. EXCEPTIONS (IF ANY)

Page 1 of 98, 4517 Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

1. ALL RFPS WILL BE OPENED PROMPTLY AT THE ADVERTISED TIME OF OPENING. THERE WILL BE NO DELAYS OR POSTPONEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT PUBLICLY ADVERTISED. ANY RFP RECEIVED AFTER THE ADVERTISED TIME

OF OPENING WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

2. OBLIGATION OF BIDDERS:

a. AT THE TIME OF OPENING RFPS, EACH BIDDER SHALL BE PRESUMED TO HAVE INSPECTED THE SITES

AND TO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANS AND CONTRACT

DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ALL ADDENDA. THE FAILURE OR OMISSION OF ANY BIDDER TO RECEIVE OR

EXAMINE ANY FORM, INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT SHALL IN NO WAY RELIEVE ANY BIDDER FROM

ANY OBLIGATION IN RESPECT TO THEIR RFP.

b. EACH BIDDER MUST FULLY INFORM THEMSELVES OF THE CONDITONS RELATING TO THE WORK WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT RELIEVE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OF

THEIR OBLIGATION TO FURNISH ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE

PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND TO COMPLETE THE CONTEMPLATED WORK. IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE CONTRACTOR MUST, IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK, EMPLOY SUCH MEANS AND METHODS AS WILL NOT CAUSE ANY INTERRUPTIONS OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE WORK OF ANY

OTHER CONTRACTOR.

3. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE (IF APPLICABLE):

a. IF THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE DATE SPECIFIED AS THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE IN THE CONTRACT ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE

SUBJECT TO CONSEQUENTIAL AND/OR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

1. INTRODUCTION

The City of Norwalk is soliciting proposals (RFP’s) from qualified Consulting Environmental Engineering firms to provide site assessment and comprehensive design for the following project: Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure. Funding for the project is through a Federal grant. Federal funded projects require additional terms and conditions and other obligations. The requirements of this project are outlined in greater detail under Section 2 Scope of Work/Project Specifications.

2. RFP DOCUMENTS

All RFP documents for this invitation are available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view this document. If you do not have this software you may download it for free from Adobe.

3. ADDENDA

All addenda, if issued will be available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. We strongly suggest that you check for any addenda a minimum of forty-eight hours in advance of the RFP deadline. It is the responsibility of the bidder to check for issuance of any addenda.

4. BIDDER’S LIST

Bidder’s list for this solicitation will not be published.

5. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS RFP

All questions concerning this solicitation must be directed, via e-mail, to Carleen Megaro, Buyer at cmegaro@norwalkct.gov. Please include the Project Number and Project Title in the subject line. The deadline for the submission of questions is 2:00 pm, May 18, 2026.

6. SUBMISSION OF RFP

The City of Norwalk requires electronic sealed submission for this project in the City of Norwalk’s BONFIRE portal (https://norwalkct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities)

All sealed electronic submissions must be submitted in Bonfire no later than June 1, 2026, at 2:00PM.

7. SUMMARIES

A list of the proposing firms will be available any time after 5:00 pm on the day of the RFP opening at Purchasing-Bid Postings. RFP results will not be provided over the phone.

Page 3 of 98, 4517 Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure http://www.norwalkct.gov/ http://www.norwalkct.gov/ mailto:cmegaro@norwalkct.gov https://norwalkct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://www.norwalkct.gov/Bids.aspx?CatID=showStatus&txtSort=Date&showAllBids=on&Status=open

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SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Public Opening: Per the City of Norwalk Purchasing Guidelines, Bids shall be opened publicly by the Purchasing

Agent or his designee, in the presence of one or more witnesses at the time and place designated in the Invitation for Bids. Receipt of Proposals: Proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing proposers during the process of negotiation. A Register of Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with these Procurement Guidelines and shall be open for public inspection after contract award. If you wish to hear the bid/RFP opening, please join us through a teleconference.

Access Number: (866) 640-4044 or (678) 302-3554

Participant Code: 968 704

Page 4 of 98, https://www.norwalkct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/334/City-Procurement-Guidelines?bidId=

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SECTION 1 – RESPONSE FORMS

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PROPOSER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

Proposer’s Name

Street Address

City State Zip

Business Telephone:

Email Address:

Printed Name and Title of Individual Submitting Proposal

The undersigned acknowledges that the terms, conditions and specifications of this RFP are understood and unconditionally accepted.

Signature Date

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Exceptions: Note any vendor(s) responding to this proposal shall indicate any/all exceptions (if any) taken to language in this proposal. BIDDERS MAY NOT TAKE EXCEPTION TO SUBSTANTIVE TERMS OF STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS PROVIDED IN THE RFP/RFQ/ITB. Exceptions must be declared below in order to be considered by the City:

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1.1 PROPOSAL RESPONSE FORM

Vendor Name -

Address -

Phone -

Fax -

Email -

Manager -

Fed ID#

The undersigned hereby declares that they have carefully examined the plans, specifications and project sites and has satisfied themselves as to all the quantities and conditions and understands that in signing this proposal they waives all right to plead any misunderstanding regarding the same.

The undersigned further understands and agrees that they will furnish and provide all the necessary material, machinery, implements, tools, labor, services, and other items of whatever nature, and to do and perform all the work necessary under the aforesaid conditions, to carry out the contract and to accept in full compensation therefore the amount of the contract as agreed to by the Contractor and the City.

It is further understood and agreed that all information included in, attached to, or required by the Request for Proposal shall be public record upon delivery to the City.

A. PROPOSED FEES

ITEM MAJOR TASK FEE FEE IN WORDS

Introduction, Methods and Timeframe. $

Site Assessment, Modelling & Summary of Findings. $

3 Community Engagement.

Materials, Public Walkthrough, Presentation.

4 Proposed Conceptual Design Options (min 3). $

5 Preliminary Design Plan Development. Delivery of 30% Design Plan.

6 Design Plan Development.

Delivery of (80%) Engineering Design Plan.

7 TOTAL LUMP SUM FEE (1-6) $

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REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES (Please list below)

HOURLY RATES(if necessary, use separate paper)

FIRM TITLE/JOB CATEGORY RATE

B. CERTIFICATION

Submitted By: Signature:

Authorized Agent of Company (Name & Title):

Date:

C. The above signatory acknowledges receipt of the following addenda issued during the bidding period and understands that they are a part of the bidding documents (if applicable):

Addendum # Dated Addendum # Dated

Addendum #

Dated Addendum #

Dated

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1.2 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Please answer the following questions regarding your company's past performance. Failure to reply to this instruction may be regarded as justification for rejecting a bid.

1. Number of years in business:

2. Number of personnel employed: Part Time Full Time

3. List six contracts of this type/size your firm has completed within the last four years:

Project Date Contact Person Phone No.

4. SUBCONTRACTORS: If subcontractors are to be used, please list firm name, address, name of principal, and phone number below or on a separate sheet. Also indicate portion or section of work subcontractor will be performing.

COMPANY NAME ADDRESS PRINCIPAL PHONE PORTION/SECTION

OF WORK

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5. ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE OF

BIDDER (check which applies) general partnership limited partnership limited liability corporation limited liability partnership corporation doing business under a trade name individual doing business under a trade name other (specify)

6. STATUS OF THE

BUSINESS AND ITS

CURRENT STANDING

WITH THE SECRETARY

OF STATE'S OFFICE; e.g., are all required filings current and in good standing or has the entity been withdrawn or canceled

Connecticut corporations - Will the Secretary of State be able to issue a Certificate of Good Standing within 30 days of the bid opening?

Yes No

Out-of -State corporations - Do you have a valid license to do business in the State of Connecticut? (Evidence in the form of a Certificate of Authority from the Connecticut Secretary of State will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.)

Yes No

7. CT eLICENSE (https://www.elicense.ct.gov ) / Business Registration (https://business.ct.gov/?language=en_US) :

8. Is your local organization an affiliate of a parent company? If so, Indicate the principal place of business of your company and the name of the agent for service if different from what has been indicated on the response form:

Business Name

Address

City. State & Zip

Name of Agent

Page 11 of 98, https://www.elicense.ct.gov/ https://business.ct.gov/?language=en_US

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NOTE: In the case of a Limited Liability Corporation or a Limited Liability Partnership a certified copy of the Articles of Organization certified as valid and in effect as of the date of the bid opening will be required within 30 days of the bid opening. A listing of the corporate officers, in the case of a corporation; the general or managing partners, in the case of a partnership; or the managers and members in the case of either a limited liability partnership or company will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.

9. Your company may be asked to submit the following information relative to your company's financial statements prior to receiving an award. This information will not be part of the public bidding record and will remain confidential.

All information should be supported with appropriate audited financials

a. Book Value (Total Assets (-) Total Liabilities)

b. Working Capital (Current Assets (-) Current Liabilities

c. Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities)

d. Debt to Equity Ratio (Long Term Debt/Shareholder's Equity)

e. Return on Assets (Net Income/Total Assets)

f. Return on Equity (Net Income/Shareholder's Equity)

g. Return on Invested Capital (Net Income/Long Term Debt = Shareholders' Equity)

All responses to this questionnaire are understood to be proprietary to the vendor, and will be considered confidential.

Additional information may be requested subsequent to your responding to this bid request.

1.3 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR RECORDS

If you have not done business with the City of Norwalk as a vendor, your business information needs updating or your City of Norwalk vendor record has not been updated over three (3) years. Please complete and include the latest version of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) W-9 Form with your submission. Here is the URL to the IRS website:

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9

1.4 INSURANCE

Insurance Agency Name: Tel:

Agency Address: Email:

Page 12 of 98, https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9

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1.5 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE – IT INFORMATION SECURITY

Page 13 of 98, City of Norwalk Vendor Questionnaire

IT Information Security

Rev 8.4.22

1. Third-Party Contact Information (please provide the POC for follow-up questions to this questionnaire):

Vendor Name, Address, Point-of-Contact Name, Phone Number and Email

2. Description of Services/Products: Please provide a detailed description of services/products your organization aims to provide to the City?

3. System and Equipment Access: Will your organization use your own systems and equipment to perform the services, or will your organization need access to the City’s systems, equipment and network? (Yes or

No, If Yes, please explain)

YES ☐ NO ☐

4. Description of Data: Are you using data from the City in order provide the services/product to the City

(Yes or No, if Yes proceed to 3.1)

a. What data is needed to provide the services/products to the City?

Example: Name, Social Security Number, Trade Information, Source Code, Payroll or Accounts Payable data, student or patient data, Law Enforcement data, any Personally Identifiable Information (PII), etc.

Page 14 of 98, If your answers to Questions 3 and 4 are BOTH “NO”, thank you for completing the IT

Information Security Questionnaire.

If one or both questions are “YES”, please complete the remaining questions.

5. Office Locations: How many office locations does your organization have? Please include the locations of your organization.

6. Data Center Locations: How many data centers does your organization utilize to provide services/products to the City? Please include the locations of the data centers utilized by your organization.

7. Business Entity: What is your business entity type?

*Example: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

8. How many employees and contingent workers do you have in your organization?

1-10 ☐ 10-50 ☐ 50-100 ☐ 100-500 ☐ 500-1000 ☐ 1000 or more ☐

9. Physical Access: Does your organization need to be onsite or offsite to provide services/products to the City?

YES ☐ NO ☐

Page 15 of 98,

10. Access to Data: How is your organization accessing City data?

*Example: Is the data supposed to be sent to your organization via email or will the data need to be uploaded to an application?

*Note: For third-parties that are providing an application to perform the services, please specify whether the application will be an internally hosted solution, cloud-based solution (i.e. SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), or a traditional web-based application (i.e. eBay, WebEx, online banking application)

11. Data Storage: Does your organization outsource data storage or does your organization utilize its own databases to store data? Does your organization store data outside of the United States?

YES ☐ NO ☐

12. Segregation of Data: Does your organization’s database structure allow segregation of sensitive client data?

YES ☐ NO ☐

13. Independent Attestations: Does your organization have independent attestations such as (i.e. ISO 27001, SSAE-18 SOC-1, SOC-2, PCI- DSS, ISO 9001)?

Page 16 of 98,

14. Information Security

a. Does your organization have written information security policies and procedures (WISP)?

b. How often are the information security policies and procedures reviewed and updated?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the information security policies and procedures?

d. Does your organization have privacy policies and procedures?

e. How often are the privacy policies and procedures updated?

f. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the privacy policies and

g. What methods of encryption are utilized for data at rest and in transit?

Page 17 of 98,

h. Are the encryption methods utilized FIPS 140-2 approved?

i. Does your organization utilize firewalls to filter incoming data and information from the internet into your company network?

j. Does your organization perform penetration testing at least once per year to determine if unauthorized access to the computer network and malicious activity is possible externally?

k. Does your organization perform vulnerability testing at least once per year in order to identify vulnerabilities within the internal network?

l. Does your organization perform background checks on employees and contingent workers prior to onboarding them? Describe the nature of these background checks (i.e., criminal, credit, international, etc.).

Page 18 of 98,

m. Does your organization utilize multi-factor authentication?

n. Does your organization utilize scan cards or biometric scans to grant employees and contingent workers access to the building and data centers where data is stored?

o. If offering a technology product, does the organization utilize software development life cycle (SDLC) or

Agile to build and maintain technological product?

p. Does the technological product undergo information security testing and quality assurance testing prior to deployment?

q. Does the Vendor provide annual Cybersecurity Awareness training to their employee?

Page 19 of 98,

r. Does the Vendor provide annual phishing simulations for their employee?

s. Have users been educated on how to report suspected security violations or vulnerabilities?

t. Does the Vendor have an employee identified as the Chief Information Security Officer?

u. Are all the Vendor laptops encrypted?

v. Are all Vendor computers (workstations, notebooks) required to join the Company’s domain and receive Group Policies?

w. Does the Vendor meet the NIST 800-63 password guidelines?

Page 20 of 98,

15. Risk Management

a. Does your organization have an enterprise risk management framework implemented at your organization?

b. Does your organization have documented enterprise risk management policies and procedures?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing the enterprise risk management policies and

d. Does your organization utilize an outside third-party to provide services/products to the client?

e. Does your organization have a third-party risk management program (TPRM)?

Page 21 of 98,

f. Does your organization include right-to audit clauses in contracts with third parties?

g. Does your organization have a certificate of insurance (COI)? Please attach a copy of your COI.

Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery

a. Does your organization have a business continuity plan?

b. How often is the business continuity plan updated?

c. Does your organization conduct business continuity tests once per year?

Page 22 of 98,

d. Does your organization have a disaster recovery plan?

e. How often is the disaster recovery plan updated?

f. Does your organization conduct disaster recovery tests once per year?

g. Does your organization have business continuity and/or disaster recovery sites?

h. Are the business continuity/disaster recovery sites located in the United States or outside the

United States? Please include the locations of business continuity/disaster recovery sites?

Page 23 of 98,

1.6 CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION

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CONTRACTOR’S CERTIFICATION

As a material component of our bid, we hereby certify in good faith as follows:

1. If awarded a contract, we will, at all times, comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, ordinances, codes, Charters, and all other applicable laws, whether now in effect or made effective after our bid and during the term of our contract.

2. We expressly acknowledge that the City of Norwalk is receiving federal funds from the United States government for this project.

3. We are aware of and are in full compliance with all federal laws, including but in no way limited to Executive Order 14173.

4. We will, at all times during the term of this contract, remain fully compliant with all applicable laws, including laws and Executive Orders related to employment practices and contracting considerations.

5. We acknowledge and agree that it is our responsibility to stay current and informed as to any changes in applicable laws and to ensure our compliance with all applicable laws throughout the term of our contract.

6. We represent and warrant that we are in compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and acknowledge that our compliance is material to the Federal Government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of Title 31, U.S.C.

7. We represent and warrant that we do not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

8. We acknowledge that this certification is being relied upon by the City of Norwalk, in good faith, and that this certification is an inducement to the City of Norwalk to accept our bid.

We further certify that we have consulted with counsel and make this certification voluntarily, with the express intention that the City of Norwalk rely upon same.

Bidder Name: (Printed or Typed):___________________________________

Authorized Representative Name and Title:___________________________

Authorized Representative Signature and Date:________________________

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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State of _______________________ )

) ss:_____________

County of _____________________ )

On this ____day of 202_, before me, __________, the undersigned officer, personally appeared _______________, who acknowledged himself/herself to be the ______________(the Officer”) of ____________________ (the “Company”), being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing the name of the corporation by himself/herself as Officer, as his/her free act and deed and as the free act and deed of Company.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

Signature of the Notary Public

Date:__________________________________

Commission Expires:

Printed Name of Notary Public

Page 26 of 98, SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF WORK / PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

Page 27 of 98,

2.1 Introduction

The City of Norwalk is soliciting proposals (RFP’s) from qualified Consulting Environmental Engineering firms to provide site assessment and comprehensive design for the following project:

Plan Development for Flood Resilience Using Salt Marsh Rehabilitation and Green Infrastructure

The City of Norwalk is the recipient of a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) to prepare 80% design plans for an area in urban South Norwalk that incorporate a variety of nature-based solutions to manage stormwater, coastal flooding and habitat degradation.

2.2 Background

The City of Norwalk seeks to design a multifaceted project that results in solutions that 1) rehabilitate salt marsh habitat with removal of fill and return of tidal flush, 2) address lack of egress due to roadway flooding, and 3) improve stormwater quality and quantity being discharged to the salt marsh with implementation of green infrastructure. When implemented, these solutions will prevent further tidal marsh decline while improving flood resiliency of the salt marsh and adjacent flood-vulnerable neighborhood.

The project will require engagement with the public to both gather public opinion on flooding issues within the project area and to provide outreach to foster understanding and acceptance of adaptive and resilient design objectives that address flooding and ecological issues.

2.3 Scope of Services and Deliverables

This is a Federally funded project that requires the awarded Contractor to agree to additional terms and conditions specified by the Federal government and provide reports and/or other supporting materials to the City in order to enable the City to comply with its grant obligations. In addition, as a result of the Federal Funding source, the awarded vendor will have to obtain an active registration with the System for Award Management (“SAM”) (https://www.sam.gov) pursuant to 2 CFR Part 25.

The awarded grant application (see Appendix A) contains a description of primary activities and milestones. A general description of core activities described in the grant application is pasted below.

A portion of the grant will fund the retention of a consultant.

The grant activities and the Work Plan that follows should be considered a general scope of services for the basis of the bidders’ response. A final scope will be negotiated with the selected firm/team.

A. Summary of Grant Activities:

1. Introduction, Methods and Timeframe.

Consultant will meet with the Steering Committee to receive guidance on the project goals and objectives. Consultant will provide overview of proposed methods and establish a detailed timeframe for scope of work.

Page 28 of 98, https://www.sam.gov/

2. Summary of Findings.

Consultant will evaluate existing conditions of the project area. Consultant will conduct site visits and become familiar with the physical resources and challenges within the project area.

Consultant will begin with data collection and review of existing data and records of infrastructure, mapping and modelling. Consultant outlines plan for collecting and completing missing but needed data sets, including but not limited to, infrastructure mapping, land surveys, modelling, including hydrology and hydraulics investigation, and salt marsh sediment and vegetation characterization to complete design work. Provide written summary.

3. Community Engagement.

Consultant will lead a public walkthrough of the project site and community meeting. This walkthrough and meeting will be held to gather local observations, discuss the problems and hear proposed solutions.

Consultant and Steering Committee will purposefully seek engagement from stakeholders, particularly members of the public that live in neighborhoods adjacent to the park with socio-economic constraints.

4. Proposed Conceptual Design.

Consultant will apply existing conditions assessment and project objectives to develop conceptual design plans for the project area. Design must incorporate green infrastructure, reduction of roadway flooding frequency, improved flood resiliency and protection and enhancement of coastal habitat.

5. Development of Site Design Plans.

The primary activity of the project will be the development and delivery of 80% design plans.

Development of the final design must meet the PERSISTS decision support criteria developed by UConn CIRCA.

B. Work Plan:

1. Kick off and Initiation: Conduct a project kick off meeting with Staff & Steering Committee and confirm project scope and schedule. See Appendix A for additional details. Establish, with input of the Staff/Steering Committee, the appropriate future time horizon for all Project elements outlined below.

2. Analysis and Data Collection. Site Assessment:

The task requires the consultant to identify and outline in descriptive text, with necessary supporting graphics and mapping, an evaluation of existing site conditions, focusing on existing infrastructure, stormwater management, landscaping, coastal habitat, and flood impacts . It is expected that the Consultant will prepare mapping of relevant findings, including such topics as, but not limited to, existing conditions analysis, location and description of vulnerabilities, coastal and natural resources, etc. All mapping data and/or geodatabase files shall be provided to the City for the City’s use upon completion of the Project.

3. Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement: A component of the grant funding is meaningful public engagement. Bidder should describe their recommended approach to solicit the most meaningful and efficient method of communication and engagement for the public engagement described in the Grant Summary. City staff will coordinate location of meeting and distribute all

Page 29 of 98, outreach and advertising materials.

4. Meeting Attendance:

In addition to the public walkthrough and meeting, the following meetings are anticipated:

• Kick Off Meeting with Staff and Steering Committee, in person

• Monthly conference call/check-ins with City Staff (multiple City Departments)

• Four (4) progress meetings with Steering Committee to provide updates and solicit input on plan development, in person or virtual to be determined by consultant, timed to coincide with conceptual work (10% design), preliminary (30% design), mid-final (50% design) and semi-final (80% design) work.

5. Interim Reporting:

The Consultant should expect periodic coordination and interim reporting with staff. These interim reports may be used for periodic grant reporting.

6. Format of Documents:

All documents shall be prepared in a format approved by the City to ensure the City has the ability to use and compile all prepared information and data.

2.4 Minimum Qualifications

All interested firms must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the following categories:

1. Personnel In Charge: The selected Firm’s personnel responsible for the project will be required to possess and maintain a valid Connecticut Professional Engineer's License. The firms will also be required to have a Project Manager.

2. Firm Size and Experience: Firms responding to this request should be of adequate size and sufficiently staffed and experienced to perform the assignment described herein and upon execution of the contract with the City, will be required to demonstrate the ability to provide necessary staffing and equipment.

3. Corporate Registration: Prior to the negotiation process, the selected company will be required to have a current corporate registration with the Secretary of State (partnerships excluded) in Connecticut. The selected company will also be required to maintain insurance coverage from a firm approved to do business in the State of Connecticut. Proof of coverage must be submitted on a form acceptable to the City.

4. Employment Practices: The selected firm must meet all City, State and Federal affirmative action and equal employment opportunity practices.

5. Experience with Similar Projects: The firm must demonstrate a robust history of similar projects that include successful public engagement, flood resiliency-focused design, nature-based design solutions for flooding, and coastal habitat improvement.

2.5 Proposal Submission Format

Proposals should put forth full, accurate, and complete but concise information as required by this request. The City shall not be liable for costs incurred in the preparation of the response to this RFP or in connection with any presentation before the Selection Committee.

Page 30 of 98, Firms should create their submissions in 8½” x 11” document size using a minimum 12-point font size, double sided, include page numbers and any blank pages must be watermarked “Intentionally Left Blank”. Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the applicant's ability to meet the requirements of the RFP. Emphasis should be on completeness and clarity of content.

The City reserves the right to reject proposals/parts thereof or to solicit new proposals and award contracts as it seems fit its best interest. All proposals will remain property of the City. It is further understood and agreed that all information included in, attached to, or required by the Request for Proposal shall be public record upon delivery to the City.

To enable the City to compare the proposals received we ask that your proposal includes the information specified below, the sequence listed, with each section of your proposal numbered to correspond to the numbers sequenced below.

Request for Proposal (RFP) shall include the following, in this order:

1. Title Page: This should include your company name, address, telephone number, and person to contact regarding this proposal with e-mail address.

2. Executive Summary: Provide a brief history of your firm, company structure, key personnel, and identify key qualities or services provided that distinguish your firm from other firms. Outline your company’s experience with similar current or completed projects.

3. Understanding and Project Approach: Illustrate your understanding of and approach to developing engineered designs utilizing nature-based solutions for flood resiliency. Document your expertise in:

i. Design involving green infrastructure, transportation corridors, stormwater and flood management, and coastal habitat restoration.

ii. Engaging the public and stakeholders.

iii. Identifying elements necessary for support of future grant funding for implementation.

4. Scope of Services & Deliverables: The scope of work provided above is based upon the grant application and is intended as a starting point to consistently evaluate each proposal and firm/team knowledge. A detailed scope of services shall be provided based upon the above parameters and to meet the intent of the grant application provided in Appendix A. Firms can provide additional or alternative scope items but must use this scope of work as your basis of your fee proposal.

Provide an outline of deliverables at key milestones with a general outline of content/purpose.

Identify the specific services that will be provided by your company and any other recommended services in addition to those identified herein for consideration and possible incorporation that you deem pertinent to the project. Clearly identify the name and address of all firm(s) that may be used on this project as sub-consultants, with a brief description of their qualifications with emphasis on expertise related to this project, and your prior association with them, if any.

The organizational structure under which the firm proposes to conduct business and the relationship to any “parent” firm of subsidiary firm, with any of the parties concerned, must be

Page 31 of 98, clearly defined. List any services or consultants that are specifically excluded from this proposal. Include current Federal GSA Form 330.

5. Schedule: Based on the grant application schedule, provide a timeline outlining anticipate milestones, deliverables and meetings.

6. Consistence with Grant Parameters: Explain how your proposal will ensure the final product meets the NFWF grant objectives and outcomes.

7. Project Team Organization and Staffing: Provide an organizational chart for the proposed staff for this specific project, including any subconsultants. Identify the Principal of the firm who will be responsible for the project and include resumes of all key project team members. Clearly identify the project manager who will be the day-to-day contact for the City’s project manager.

Describe your philosophy and method of project management, reporting and budget tracking.

Additionally:

i. Provide a brief description of similar projects in which the key personnel may have worked together as a team. Include previous assignment information such as title, length of time on job, references and contact information.

ii. Estimate the percentage of time you will have each staff member working on the assigned project.

The City reserves the right to interview and specify key staff members on this project. All candidates must be available for interview, if requested.

8. References: Provide three (3) recent and relevant references that will be able to verify the quality of the company’s services, expertise and proposed key staff, with title, position, their relationship with the project, and telephone numbers.

9. Forms: Fully Completed Section 1 – Response Forms

a. Fee Proposal: Provide lump see fee and manhours broken down by major task.

Lump sum fee shall be inclusive of all reimbursable expenses which shall be itemized separately.

b. Hourly Rates: Provide hourly rates for each firm involved in the Plan development.

2.6 Selection Process

Proposals will be initially reviewed by the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee may select the two or three firms that best meet the City’s requirements. These firms will then be invited to represent their proposals to and respond to questions from the Selection Committee.

Following this selection process, the Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council Committee. Approval to enter into a contract has to be authorized by the Norwalk City Council.

The City of Norwalk reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted, to request additional information from all proposers and to negotiate with one or more of the finalists regarding the terms of this engagement. The City of Norwalk also reserves the right to retain the proposals, use any ideas contained in the proposals and is not obligated in any manner to reimburse the proposers for the costs incurred in connection with responding to this Request for Proposals.

Page 32 of 98, The Selection Committee intends to recommend the firm that, in its opinion, best meets the City’s needs, not necessarily the firm with the lowest fees.

The anticipated selection schedule is as follows:

RFP Interviews June 2026 City Council Committee Review July 2026 City Council Review July 2026

2.7 Criteria for Evaluating Proposal Submissions

The City of Norwalk shall be responsible for reviewing the proposals received and will further evaluate them, using the following criteria. The City reserves its rights to examine any other criteria and take the same under consideration and to reject any firm or proposals despite its compliance with these criteria if it determines that to do so would be in its best interests.

Criteria Weight

Relevant Project Experience & Team Member Experience

• Respondents must demonstrate adequate experience in the following areas:

qualification, general experience and technical competence of the project team.

• Experience, resources and technical expertise in the design of flood resilience projects that use nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure and habitat restoration.

• Understanding of all applicable requirements of the regulatory permitting agencies.

• Design qualifications and technical competence of key personnel assigned to this project.

• Ability of responding firm or team to provide all of the professional services required for the successful completion of the Project.

• Qualifications of sub-consultants (if any).

• Experience and proven record of success with comparable projects completed for governmental authorities.

• Feedback from References with projects similar in scope & size.

35%

Project Approach and Understanding

• Understanding and identification of optimal design practices for stormwater management in transportation corridors proximal to coastal areas.

• Engaging the public and stakeholders.

• Understanding and depth of knowledge of tidal wetlands and their management, rehabilitation and resilience factors.

• Utilization of flood-simulation modeling.

• Identification of potentially available funding sources.

35%

Overall Impression of Proposal

• Organization, clarity, conciseness, and thoroughness.

• Approach to the scope of services and statement of works.

10%

Page 33 of 98, Criteria Weight

• Understanding of service objectives.

• Proposed project schedule.

• Capacity and capability to perform the work within the time allotted.

• Location of work office(s), typical work hours and ability of field crews to complete City of Norwalk work.

• Staffing plan, current workload and capacity to provide resources necessary to develop and manage multiple work assignments.

• Quality Control and Safety Procedures.

Cost Proposal:

• Fee and Hourly rates 20%

Total Possible Points 100

2.8 Prime Proposer Responsibility

Firm’s submitting proposals to this RFP may utilize the services of subcontractors. If subcontractors are planned to be used, this should be clearly explained in the proposal. The prime proposer will be responsible for the entire contract performance whether or not subcontractor is to perform.

All corporate information required in this RFP must be included for each proposed subcontractor. The proposal must also include copies of any agreements to be executed between the prime proposer and any subcontractors in the event of contract award. Under this RFP, the City of Norwalk retains the right to approve all subcontractors.

2.9 Key Personnel

The personnel and commitments identified on any proposer’s proposal will be considered essential to the work to be performed under this RFP. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or changing the level of effort of the specified individuals, the proposer must notify the City of Norwalk fourteen (14) days in advance and will be required to submit justification, including proposed substitutions, in sufficient detail, to permit evaluation of the impact on the project. The proposer will make no deviation without the prior written consent of the City of Norwalk. Replacement of personnel will be with personnel or equal ability and qualifications.

Any employee of the proposer, who in the sole opinion of the City of Norwalk is unacceptable, shall be removed from the project pursuant to the request of City of Norwalk. The proposer will have Fourteen

(14) Days to fill the vacancy with another employee of acceptable technical experience and skills subject to the written approval of the City of Norwalk.

2.10 Availability of Funds

The contract award under this RFP is contingent upon the availability of funds to the City of Norwalk for this project. In the event that funds are not available, any contract resulting from this RFP will become void and of no force and effect.

Page 34 of 98,

2.11 Payment & Invoices

The proposer will bill the City of Norwalk based on the submission of monthly invoices in a format to be determined by the City.

2.12 Termination for Default or for the Convenience of the Contracting Agency Performance under this contract resulting from this RFP may be terminated by the City of Norwalk whenever;

The proposer, in the sole opinion of the City, is in default in the performance of the contract and shall fail to correct such default within the period specified by the contracting officer in a notice specifying default; or the contracting officer shall determine that termination is the best interest of the City of Norwalk.

Termination will be effected by delivery to the proposer of a notice to terminate, stating the date upon which the termination becomes effective. Upon receipt of the notice to terminate, the proposer shall:

• Stop all work

• Assign to the City of Norwalk all rights, title and interest in the work being developed;

• Deliver forthwith to the City of Norwalk all completed work and work in progress;

• Preserve and protect, until delivery to the City, all material plans, and documents related to this contract which, if the contract had been completed, would have been furnished to the City of Norwalk or necessary to the completion of the work

2.13 Negotiated changes

In the event negotiated changes occur after the awarding of the contract, the same pricing policies called for in the original contract will remain in effect

2.14 Contract Agreement(s) and Contract Period(s)

The selected proposer will be required to agree to and sign a formal written contract between the City of Norwalk and the proposer, prepared by the Law Department of the City of Norwalk. A sample of the contract, is provided in a separate section to illustrate the type of contract the City will use to contract for this project.

2.15 Right of Set-Off

The undersigned bidder hereby authorizes the City to set off against monies payable hereunder by the City to the bidder, an amount equal to any unpaid real and personal property taxes and assessments (the collection of which is not barred by the State of Limitations), owing by the bidder to the City, including all interest and lien charges in connection with such paid taxes.

2.16 Duration of Proposals

Proposals will remain in effect for a period of ninety (90) days from the deadline for submission of the proposal.

2.17 Acceptance of RFP Content

Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful response will be used to establish final contractual obligations. The City retains the option of canceling the award if the successful Respondent

Page 35 of 98, fails to accept such obligations. The City and the successful Respondent shall enter into a written contract for the work to be performed.

It is understood that this RFP and the Respondent’s proposal shall be attached and included by reference in a contract signed by the City and the successful Respondent.

This RFP is not an offer: Neither this RFP nor any subsequent discussions shall give rise to any commitment on the part of the City of Norwalk or confer any rights on any proposer unless and until a contract is fully executed by the necessary parties. The fully executed contract document will represent the entire agreement between the proposer and the Department and will supersede all prior negotiations, representations or agreements, alleged or made, between the parties. The City shall assume no liability for costs incurred by the proposer or for payment of services under the terms of the contract until the contract has been accepted and approved by the City’s Corporation Counsel and fully executed by all parties.

2.18 Insurance Coverage Requirements

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INSURANCE RIDER

The Professional Services Provider shall provide and maintain insurance coverage related to its services in connection with the Project in compliance with the following requirements.

The insurance required shall be written for not less than the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder, or required by applicable federal, state and/or municipal law, regulation or requirement, whichever coverage requirement is greater. It is agreed and understood that the scope and limits of insurance specified hereunder are minimum requirements and shall in no way limit or preclude the City from requiring additional limits and coverage to be provided under the Professional Services Provider's policies.

The insurance obligations under this agreement shall be (1) all the insurance coverage and/or limits carried by or available to the Professional Services Provider; or (2) the minimum insurance coverage requirements and/or limits shown in this agreement, whichever is greater.

Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance:

Workers' Compensation: With respect to all operations the Professional Services Provider performs, it shall carry workers' compensation insurance in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Connecticut, and Employer's Liability limits of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each accident, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) coverage for each employee by disease, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) policy limit coverage for disease.

Commercial General Liability: With respect to all operations the Professional Services Provider performs it shall carry Commercial General Liability insurance providing for a total limit of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) coverage per occurrence for all damages arising out of bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and contractual liability coverage for the indemnification obligations arising under this Agreement. The Annual Aggregate limit shall not be less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).

Automobile Liability: With respect to each owned, non-owned, or hired vehicles the Professional Services Provider shall carry Automobile Liability insurance providing One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) coverage per accident for bodily injury and property damage.

Professional Liability: The Professional Services Provider shall provide Professional Liability Insurance covering errors and omissions. Such insurance shall be in an amount no less than $1,000,000 each claim and $1,000,000 Aggregate. If such insurance is written on a claims-made basis, the Professional Services Provider shall maintain such coverage continuously throughout the term of work for a period of three (3) years following acceptance of the work by the City.

Page 37 of 98, {00075006.DOCX 1} 2

"Tail" Coverage: If any of the required liability insurance is on a "claims made" basis, "tail" coverage will be required at the completion of the Project for a duration of three (3) years, or the maximum time period reasonably available in the marketplace. Continuous "claims made" coverage will be acceptable in lieu of "tail" coverage, provided its retroactive date is on or before the effective date of this Agreement. If continuous "claims made" coverage is used, Professional Services Provider shall be required to keep the coverage in effect for a duration of not less than three (3) years following acceptance of the work by the City.

Acceptability of Insurers: The Professional Services Provider's policies shall be written by insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of Connecticut, with an AM Best rating of A-VII, or better. Additionally, all carriers are subject to approval by the City of Norwalk.

Subcontractors: The Professional Services Provider shall require all subcontractors to provide the same "minimum scope and limits of insurance" as required herein. All Certificates of Insurance shall be provided to the City's Corporation Counsel and to the City’s Finance Department (Attn: Risk Manager) as required herein

Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions: Any deductible or self-insured retention must be declared to and approved by the City. All deductibles or self-insured retentions are the sole responsibility of the Professional Services Provider to pay and/or to indemnify.

Notice of Cancellation or Nonrenewal: Each insurance policy required shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall…