1_RFR Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration~1.pdf

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Division of Marine Fisheries

(617) 626-1520 | mass.gov/MarineFisheries

Maura T. Healey

Governor

Kimberly Driscoll

Lt. Governor

Rebecca L. Tepper

Secretary

Thomas K. O’Shea

Commissioner

Daniel J. McKiernan

Director

ISSUE DATE:

Purchasing Department Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Address 92 Fort Ave

City, State Zip Code Salem, Massachusetts 01970

Procurement Contact Person Sarah Ferrara - Sarah.I.Ferrara@mass.gov

Contact Site Visit Brian Castonguay- 978-491-6221

RFR Name/Title Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project

RFR Number DMF - 27004

COMMBUYS Bid Number

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) seeks a qualified design/build team to complete the Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory. The Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project will transform portions of the existing landscape at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory into a diverse, ecologically productive coastal habitat that supports native pollinators, improves biodiversity, and enhances the ecological resilience of the site.

The project will focus on converting selected areas of maintained lawn into native coastal meadow, managing invasive plant species, and restoring native vegetation to improve habitat connectivity and support healthy native plant communities. These improvements are intended to reduce long-term reliance on conventional turf maintenance while creating a more sustainable and ecologically valuable landscape.

Through a coordinated effort involving landscape architectural design, ecological restoration planning, environmental permitting, invasive species management, planting installation, and initial establishment maintenance, the project will demonstrate environmentally responsible landscape stewardship and serve as a model for pollinator habitat restoration within a coastal institutional setting.

11/3/2026 http://www.mass.gov/marinefisheries

REQUEST FOR RESPONSE

Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project

DMF RFR #27004

2. Applicable Procurement Law

Check Appropriate

Box (“X”):

Type of Purchase Applicable Laws

Executive Branch Goods and Services

Goods and Services MGL c. 7, § 22; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801

CMR 21.00

Human and Social Services MGL c. 7, § 22, § 22N; c. 30, § 51, § 52;

801 CMR 21.00; 808 CMR 1.00

Legal Services MGL c. 30, § 51, § 52 and § 65; c. 7, §

22; and 801 CMR 21.01(2) (b)

Grants MGL c. 7A, § 7; St. 1986 c. 206, § 17;

815 CMR 2.00

3. Acquisition Method:

Check All Applicable (“X”): Category

Fee-For-Service

Outright Purchase

Rental (not to exceed 6 months)

Term Lease

License

4. Whether Single or Multiple Contractors are Required for Contract:

Check One (“X”):

Single Contractor

Multiple Contractors

a. Estimated Number of Awards

The target maximum number of Contractors is one; the Purchasing Department may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to do so.

b. Adding Contractors after initial Contract Award

If, over the life of the contract, the Purchasing Department determines that additional Contractors may be added, these may be drawn from qualified companies that responded to this Solicitation and not awarded Contracts. If necessary to meet the requirements of the Commonwealth, the Solicitation may be reopened to obtain additional Bids.

DMF RFR #27004

5. Entities Eligible to Use the Resulting Contract

Check One (“X”): Eligible Entities

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Defined Entities Only. Any Contract(s) resulting from this Bid will be open for use by the issuing Purchasing Department and the following other entities:

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Issuing Entity Only.

6. Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Contract Duration

Number of Options Number of

Years/Months Instructions

Initial Duration

7 months The Contract will be executed for this Initial Duration and will run from the Contract Effective/Start Date (execution date) through 06/30/2027.

Renewal Options

2 years Maintenance may be awarded pending available funds

Total Maximum Contract Duration

3 years

7. Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation:

Estimated Value of Procurement: $100,000 – initial duration of service

On-going maintenance may be awarded beyond the initial phase pending available funds.

8. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

Scope of Services:

1. Site Assessment and Restoration Planning

• Review existing site conditions, available survey information, and previous landscape master planning documents.

• Identify and evaluate up to three potential areas for pollinator habitat enhancement and restoration. (See Appendix C “Cat Cove Pollinator Zones” diagram for intended areas)

DMF RFR #27004

• Assess existing vegetation, invasive species populations, soil conditions, and opportunities for ecological improvement.

• Conduct soil testing and review representative native plant communities within the surrounding region to inform species selection.

• Evaluate potential implementation strategies and associated costs to establish project priorities within the available budget.

• Develop an illustrative plan identifying the selected restoration areas and proposed landscape improvements.

2. Pollinator Habitat Design and Documentation

• Develop a planting design for selected coastal meadow and pollinator habitat areas.

• Prepare planting plans, plant schedules, installation details, and specifications suitable for construction as required.

• Develop a site-specific native seed mix informed by soil conditions, regional plant communities, and pollinator habitat objectives.

• Incorporate native grasses, wildflowers, and other appropriate vegetation to support pollinator foraging, nesting, and habitat diversity.

• Coordinate landscape design with on-going invasive species management and ecological restoration strategies.

• Prepare supporting narrative and illustrative materials as needed to communicate the proposed improvements.

3. Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Coordination

• Prepare and submit a Notice of Intent and supporting landscape drawings to the Salem Conservation Commission.

• Coordinate proposed restoration activities with applicable environmental regulations and permitting requirements.

• Attend Conservation Commission hearings and respond to comments as required within the agreed scope of professional services.

• Incorporate required revisions into the restoration and planting plans.

4. Invasive Species Management

• Remove and manage invasive woody vegetation along selected coastal bank and parking lot areas, including common buckthorn, bittersweet, rugosa rose, barberry, and other identified invasive species. (See diagram for intended areas)

• Employ selective cutting, stump treatment, and other appropriate management techniques to minimize disturbance to existing slopes and soils.

• Remove invasive vines from existing trees and treat cut stems to discourage regrowth.

• Restore disturbed soil areas with appropriate native seed mixes.

• Perform follow-up treatments to manage resprouting invasive vegetation and newly emerging seedlings.

DMF RFR #27004

5. Coastal Meadow Establishment and Habitat Restoration

• Prepare selected existing lawn areas for conversion to native coastal meadow.

• Remove or suppress existing turf vegetation through an appropriate site preparation program.

• Install a custom native meadow seed mix using suitable seeding methods.

• Evaluate the incorporation of native perennial plugs within selected meadow areas to increase early floral diversity and accelerate habitat establishment.

• Establish native plant communities designed to provide seasonal floral resources, ecological diversity, and reduced long-term mowing requirements.

• Implement restoration methods that protect existing desirable vegetation and respond to the site's coastal environmental conditions.

6. Construction Coordination and Observation

• Coordinate implementation activities among the landscape architect, ecological restoration specialists, and installation contractor.

• Participate in preconstruction and progress meetings as appropriate.

• Review proposed plant materials and respond to questions arising during installation.

• Conduct site observations at appropriate stages of site preparation, invasive species management, and planting installation.

• Review completed improvements for general conformance with the approved design and applicable permits.

• Prepare a final punch list and review installed planting during the applicable warranty period.

7. Initial Establishment and Maintenance

• Provide an initial maintenance program to support successful establishment of the native meadow and restored vegetation.

• Conduct periodic mowing and selective weeding to reduce competition from annual weeds and invasive plants.

• Monitor meadow establishment and identify areas requiring supplemental seeding or corrective treatment.

• Provide ecological field observations documenting establishment conditions and recommended management practices.

• Develop recommendations for ongoing invasive species management and long-term meadow maintenance.

• Maintenance may be awarded pending available funds

Anticipated Project Schedule

The initial project is anticipated to proceed in phases:

• Fall- Winter 2026: Site assessment, restoration planning, landscape design, documentation, and initial invasive species management.

• Winter 2027: Environmental permitting and regulatory coordination.

• Spring 2027: Meadow preparation, invasive species follow-up, and initial restoration activities.

• Spring–Summer 2027: Native meadow seeding, planting installation, and construction observation.

Project schedule for contract renewals for ongoing project maintenance will be determined pending available funding.

Fiscal Terms: Vendor will be compensated in accordance with the Commonwealth procurement policy. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is Tax Exempt. Bills are payable in accordance with CTR’s

Bill Payment Policy.

9. Small Business Purchasing Program

Program Background

The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive

Order 523 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

SBPP Award Preference

While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team

(SSST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the

SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

SBPP Participation Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP-registered business in COMMBUYS:

1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

2. Been in business for at least one year;

3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA

Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. SBPP Compliance Requirements https://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-523-establishing-the-massachusetts-small-business-purchasing-program https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-523-establishing-the-massachusetts-small-business-purchasing-program https://www.commbuys.com/bso/

DMF RFR #27004

It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP

Webpage.

Program Resources and Assistance

Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

10. Environmentally Preferable Products

Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consistent with 801 CMR 21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

11. Evaluation Criteria

Contractors must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFR. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria. Additional information may be requested for evaluation purposes. Detailed scoring matrix and corresponding point allocations can be found in

Appendix D of this document or please refer to the Evaluation Criteria document uploaded under the

Attachments section of this bid solicitation for the detailed scoring matrix and corresponding points allocation.

Minimum Team Qualifications

The evaluation team shall reject submittals which do not meet the following minimum requirements:

Each member of the team must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in projects of similar scope and size with a minimum of two (2) projects during the past three (3) years involving similar design or implementation services in Massachusetts municipal or public sector landscape http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp mailto:sbpp@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759 habitat projects. Experience relevant to the minimum criteria must be submitted with the proposal as a part of the award decision.

The bidder and any subcontractors must possess all necessary current licenses and registrations, as applicable, either within the firm or through independent consultants, to qualify under Massachusetts law to perform the stated services. All consultants carried by the proposer are to be licensed to provide professional services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The bidder is responsible for attaining and holding in good standing all relevant permits, licenses and certificates associated with the completion of these services, as applicable. Evidence of these requirements is to be made part of the proposal. If a permit is not currently held or the application process is pending, the proposer should indicate such.

Proposals must include the following:

• Team overview

• Qualifications of the proposed project team members

• Proposed scope of work and deliverables

• Demonstrate ability to meet the preliminary project schedule

• Design and Construction fee proposal (lump sum)

• Examples of relevant past work

• List of licenses and permits

12. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR. Responses must be sent via the “Create Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Appendix B. Required response information can be found in Appendix E of this document or please refer to the Required Response Information document uploaded under the

Attachments section of this bid solicitation.

Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFR will be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission.

DMF RFR #27004

13. Estimated Procurement Calendar

Procurement Activity Date Time

Bid Release Date 11/3/26 12:00 PM EST

Deadline for Submission of

Questions through COMMBUYS “Bid

Q&A”

11/10/26 12:00 PM EST

Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated)

11/12/26 12:00 PM EST

Bidder’s site inspection By appointment, please contact Brian Castonguay email:

brian.castonguay@mass.gov

Phone: 978-491-6221

Deadline for Quotes/Bid Responses

(“Bid Opening Date/Time” in

COMMBUYS)

11/20/26 12:00 PM EST

Notification of Apparent Successful

Bidder(s) (Estimated)

11/25/26

Estimated Contract Start Date 11/30/26

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

mailto:brian.castonguay@mass.gov

DMF RFR #27004

a. Online Questions (Bid Q&A)

Written Questions must be entered using the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the “Online Questions Due” date and time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

The issuing department reserves the right to not respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions.

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing

Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded

Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network, or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the

Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Written Responses to Questions will be released on or about the “Responses to Questions Posted

Online” date indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

(Written questions and responses will be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab for this Bid in COMMBUYS.)

b. Bid Amendment Deadline

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to make amendments to the Bid after initial publication. It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for amendments, addenda, or modifications to this Bid, and any Bid Q&A records related to this Bid. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth accept no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit a Quote based on an out-of-date Bid or on information received from a source other than

COMMBUYS.

c. Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening Date/Time)

See the Quotes (Bid Responses) Deadline (Bid Opening) Date and Time indicated in the Estimated

Procurement Calendar (above).

d. Estimated Contract Start Date

This is the approximate start date. The actual start date will be the Contract Effective Date which is the date the Contract is executed by the parties.

DMF RFR #27004

14. Required Forms

Responses to this RFR must contain the following documents:

Check if applicable (“X”)

Form/Document Notes/Instructions

(If any)

Commonwealth Terms and Conditions Please review attached document

W-9 Form Will be issued if vendor is awarded.

Standard Contract Form and Instructions Will be issued if

Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Will be issued if

Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Will be issued if

Prompt Payment Discount Form Will be issued if

The above attachments are available as part of the Bid record on COMMBUYS

(WWW.COMMBUYS.COM).

http://www.commbuys.com/

DMF RFR #27004

15. RFR Attachments

Appendix A: Required Specifications https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services

Appendix B: Electronic Quote Submission Instructions https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids

Appendix C: Cat Cove Pollinator Zones

Appendix D: Evaluation Criteria

Appendix E: Required Response Information

Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic

Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways: 1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper); 2. Electronic signature that is either: a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device;

or Page 2 b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature 3. Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as

Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Division of Marine Fisheries

(617) 626-1520 | mass.gov/MarineFisheries

Maura T. Healey

Governor

Kimberly Driscoll

Lt. Governor

Rebecca L. Tepper

Secretary

Thomas K. O’Shea

Commissioner

Daniel J. McKiernan

Director

DMF RFR 27004 Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project Evaluation

Criteria

Bidders must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFR. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria.

Description of Evaluation Criteria

Proposed technical approach and restoration methodology: Bidders will be evaluated on the quality, feasibility, and ecological appropriateness of the proposed approach to implementing the project; including methods for assessing existing conditions, prioritizing restoration areas, selecting native species, developing custom seed mixes, managing invasive plants, preparing existing lawn areas, establishing native meadow, and minimizing impacts to coastal soils and vegetation.

Experience: Bidders will be evaluated based on their relevant experience completing projects of similar scope and complexity, as well as the qualifications of their proposed project team.

Price: Bidder must ensure that the price is complete and transparent and that they have considered any and all costs in providing their proposal.

Project Schedule: Bidders will be evaluated on the completeness, feasibility, and practicality of their proposed project schedule, including their ability to meet the required milestones and deadlines outlined in Section 8.

Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Experience: Bidders will be evaluated based on their demonstrated knowledge of Massachusetts environmental permitting requirements and experience coordinating restoration projects involving coastal resource areas. Higher scores will be awarded to bidders demonstrating relevant permitting experience and the ability to identify, obtain, and comply with applicable environmental approvals.

The bidder and any subcontractors must possess all necessary current licenses and registrations, as applicable, either within the firm or through independent consultants, to qualify under Massachusetts law to perform the stated services

Totaling of Points

The procurement management team will add together the points awarded for each section evaluated and make its final recommendation. Execution of this contract requires bidders signing the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts Standard Terms and Conditions, Contract and any other required state forms and final negotiations (if applicable). Please see the scoring matrix below for breakdown of scoring.

http://www.mass.gov/marinefisheries

DMF RFR 27004 Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project

Scoring Matrix

Criteria # Criteria Method of Scoring Maximum Points Available

Proposed technical approach and restoration methodology

Bidders will be evaluated on the quality, feasibility, and ecological appropriateness of the proposed approach to implementing the project; including methods for assessing existing conditions, prioritizing restoration areas, selecting native species, developing custom seed mixes, managing invasive plants, preparing existing lawn areas, establishing native meadow, and minimizing impacts to coastal soils and vegetation.

Maximum points (30) will be given to the strongest proposals that demonstrate a coordinated approach to design, site preparation, invasive species management, planting installation, and establishment. Fewer points will be awarded to proposals that provide less detail or do not adequately address the project requirements.

2 Experience

Relevant project experience and qualifications including project team qualifications. Bidders with the most relevant company and project team experience will be awarded the full 15 points. Remaining bidders will receive progressively fewer points in increments of 5 based on their experience

3 Price

The bidder offering the best price that meets the minimum specifications will be given the full 25 points. Remaining bidders will receive progressively fewer points in increments of 5 based on their proposed price.

Project Schedule

Bidders will be evaluated on their ability to meet the required project schedule as detailed section 8. 10 points will be awarded to proposals demonstrating a realistic and well-coordinated timeline for completing the project.

Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Experience

Bidders will be evaluated based on their demonstrated familiarity with Massachusetts environmental permitting requirements, licenses and registrations, and experience coordinating restoration projects involving coastal resource areas.

Possible Total Points 100

Response Requirements

DMF-27004

Cat Cove Pollinator Habitat Restoration

Instructions to bidders:

Bidders shall provide all information requested below as part of their response to this RFR.

Point of Contact

- Contact person name and title

- Contact phone number

- Email address

Price Sheet – Phase 1 Please provide a total price for the scope of services outlined in section 8, Contract Performance and Business Specifications – points 1 – 7.

Price Sheet – Phase 2 Bidders may also provide an annual cost for ongoing project maintenance for an additional two years (July 2027 – July 2029).

Specifications

Proposals must include the following:

• Team overview

• Qualifications of the proposed project team members

• Proposed scope of work and deliverables

• Demonstrate ability to meet the preliminary project schedule

• Design and Construction fee proposal (lump sum)

• Examples of relevant past work

• List of licenses and permits.

o The bidder and any subcontractors must possess all necessary current licenses and registrations, as applicable, either within the firm or through independent consultants, to qualify under Massachusetts law to perform the stated services. All consultants carried by the proposer are to be licensed to provide professional services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bidder is responsible for attaining and holding in good standing all relevant permits, licenses and certificates associated with the completion of these services, as applicable. Evidence of these requirements is to be made part of the proposal. If a permit is not currently held or the application process is pending, the bidder should indicate such.