2223-025 RFP - Starke Bypass - FINAL.pdf

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NO. 22/23-025

Starke Bypass Mitigation Establishment and Monitoring

Table of Contents

Section Title Page 1 Introduction 2 2 Proposed Schedule 2 3 Instructions to Respondents 2 4 Key Points 4-7 5 Scope of Work 8-13 6 Proposal Response Form 14-15

Suwannee River Water Management District

9225 CR 49

Live Oak, FL 32060 386-362-1001

386-362-1056 (Fax) 800-226-1066 (Florida only) www.mysuwanneeriver.com

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is requesting proposals for the implementation of an adaptive management plan for wetlands mitigation and enhancement services at Starke Bypass Mitigation Area in Bradford County. The project consists of a 251-acre mitigation area with wetlands, mixed uplands, and flatwoods. Implementation of the plan includes treatment/removal of exotic and invasive species, installation of desirable tree species, and site monitoring to ensure 100% of success criteria are met.

The successful proposal will satisfy the requirements of the 2022 Adaptive Management Plan that was implemented to satisfy the requirements of the USACE Permit Number SAJ-2013- 00113. A successful proposal will outline implementation of the 2022 Adaptive Management Plan and deliverables listed in Section 5 as prescribed and monitor/maintain the site for success through March 04, 2027. Permitting for the supplemental plantings will be issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will be completed by the District.

SECTION 2 – PROPOSED SCHEDULE

August 04, 2023 Release of Request for Proposals

August 24, 2023** Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting – Starke Bypass Mitigation Project Site (see Attachment A) - 10:00 a.m.**

August 30, 2023 Questions DUE BY 5:00 P.M.

September 14, 2023 District will post all questions that were asked during the question period and answers to those questions on or before 5:00 PM.

October 04, 2023 Bids are due prior to 2:00 p.m. via DemandStar. Bid opening occurs at 2:00 p.m.* October 19, 2023 Selection Committee Meeting – 10:00 a.m.* November 14, 2023 Vendor Approval at Governing Board* December 2023 Work Expected to Begin

* Denotes an optional public meeting. The District is located at the corner of U.S. 90 and C.R. 49 in Live Oak, Florida. All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

**Denotes a mandatory public meeting. In order to qualify for submission of proposal you must attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting.

SECTION 3 - INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

Delivery of Proposal: Proposals shall be submitted electronically through DemandStar.

https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-district/procurement

For articles and videos to assist you through the DemandStar registry and uploading of documents visit the DemandStar business support page at -https://network.demandstar.com/business-support/

Proposal packages are to be uploaded to the platform no later than 2:00 p.m. on the dates listed in the table above. Proposals received after this time, for any reason, will be rejected.

Vendor Qualifications: Vendors shall be bonded, licensed, and insured. Following the request for information included in this proposal, Venders must submit documentation that verifies the following:

• Work experience showing you were the primary firm responsible for conducting invasive plant treatment work and site preparation/mitigation planting work on wetland mitigation sites and that the work your firm conducted directly resulted in the release of mitigation credits. Examples of monthly or annual reports submitted for this mitigation work must also be included.

• Ability to complete site preparation and mitigation planting work following the guidelines listed in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan. All site preparation and supplemental plantings completed by March 31, 2025, and two years of monitoring for successful implementation by March 04, 2027.

• Ability to complete annual invasive plant control goals following the guidelines listed in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan.

• Ability to produce a complete fee schedule for all work identified in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan.

• Ability to provide staff and subcontractors with the proper licenses, expertise, and experience needed to successfully complete the work identified in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan.

• The name and address of all sub-contractors which will be used by you to successfully complete the work identified in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan.

• The name and address of all key personnel which will be used by you and all subcontractors to successfully complete the work identified in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan. ("Key personnel" means all personnel performing any duties which require a professional license (engineer, surveyor, etc.) and all personnel with supervisory and/or managerial duties.)

Questions: To provide equal opportunity and ensure the same information is provided to all proposers, any questions should be submitted by email to Sharon Hingson at Sharon.Hingson@srwmd.org the dates listed in SECTION 2. District staff are not authorized to orally interpret the meaning of the specification or other agreement documents, or correct any apparent ambiguity, inconsistency, or error therein.

Responses will be posted to the District website and DemandStar by the dates listed in

SECTION 2.

Additional Information: Additional Request for Proposal packages may be obtained from the District website www.mysuwanneeriver.com.

Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting: A meeting will be held at the project site at 10:00 a.m. on the date listed in SECTION 2. A map and directions are included in ATTACHMENT A. This will be the only opportunity to survey treatment areas before submitting proposals. Contractors are required to be on time and sign in to avoid disqualification. Important project information will be reviewed during this meeting. The remaining time can be spent reviewing the mitigation area.

ADA Compliance: Vendor must ensure that the electronic version of the Response and all documents submitted electronically are accessible according to 282.603 Florida Statutes and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to the creation and use of electronic documents. This requirement applies to editable formats, such as Microsoft Word, as well as portable document formats (PDF). All proposals submitted in electronic/digital format must include a certification by the Vendor that the electronic submission and all supporting mailto:Sharon.Hingson@srwmd.org http://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ documents are accessible according to 282.603 Florida Statutes and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to the creation and use of electronic documents.

It is the obligation of the vendor to ensure that it has reviewed all amendments and all questions and answers to this RFP as posted on the District website to ensure that the proposal responds to the most current information available for the RFP.

SECTION 4 – KEY POINTS

Evaluation by District: The District intends to contract with one firm. Subcontractors may be utilized in accordance with contractor requirements stated herein. In accordance with sub-section 287.057(1)(b) 4, the contract shall be awarded to the responsible and responsive vendor who submits the lowest responsive proposal that provides the best value to the District as calculated using the criteria listed in “Evaluation of Proposals” section. To be considered a “Responsive Vendor” Respondents must 1.) attend the Mandatory Pre-Bid meeting, 2.) provide all information requested in SECTION 6. Failure to meet any of the criteria will result in a “non-responsive vendor” and the proposal will be rejected.

Evaluation of Responses: Responsive, responsible proposals shall include all requested information or documentation as described in SECTION 6 and will be evaluated using the following five criteria.

Firm Name Evaluation Criteria Weight Score Total

1. Work Experience – Please use the Similar Projects Forms included in ATTACHMENT B to document the following information (Score 1-5):

• List projects where you were the primary firm responsible for conducting invasive plant treatment work and site preparation/mitigation planting work on wetland mitigation sites and where the work your firm conducted directly resulted in the release of mitigation credits.

• List of projects performed for or with the District where you, your subcontractors or key personnel were responsible (primarily or otherwise) for conducting invasive plant treatment work and site preparation/mitigation planting work on wetland mitigation sites and where the work your firm conducted directly resulted in the release of mitigation credits.

• For all listed projects, Respondents are required to provide examples of monthly or annual monitoring/project reports submitted to permitting agencies for this wetland mitigation work. These reports should include information about completed invasive/exotic treatment work and site

40% preparation/mitigation planting work.

2. Respondents ability to plan/complete invasive/exotic plant control activities in the required timeframe (Score 1-5). This will be determined by:

• The Respondent’s past work experience and positive work references affirming their ability to successfully complete this type of work in conjunction with wetland mitigation project(s) that were similar in scope.

• The Respondent’s ability to include in the Proposal a logical and executable work plan for invasive plant control activities that can be completed in the required timeframe.

20%

3. Respondents ability to plan/complete site preparation activities and mitigation plantings in the timeframe required (Score 1-5). This will be determined by:

• The Respondent’s past work experience and positive work references affirming their ability to successfully complete this type of work in conjunction with wetland mitigation project(s) that were similar in scope.

• The Respondent’s ability to include in the proposal a logical and executable work plan for site preparation and supplemental plantings that can be completed in the required timeframe.

20%

4. Project cost effectiveness (Score 1-5). This will be determined by:

• The respondent’s ability to provide a complete fee schedule for all planned services. These prices will be listed on the Project Fee Schedule included in ATTACHMENT C. The responsive and responsible Respondent who has the lowest total combined cost for an example project area will be scored highest and next lowest sequentially thereafter.

10%

5. Staff Expertise and Experience (Score 1-5). This will be determined by:

• The Respondent’s ability to provide subcontractors and staff that have the proper licenses, expertise and experience needed to successfully complete the work listed in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan included in ATTACHMENT D.

10%

Proposal Score 100%

Three Selection Committee members will individually evaluate and score all responsive, responsible proposals using the following system:

• STEP ONE – Individual Selection Committee members will develop a total proposal score for each submitted proposal based on the five evaluation criteria areas listed above and their weighted values. For each criteria area, individual Selection Committee members can apply a score ranging from (5) representing high/excellent to (1) representing low/unsatisfactory. Using this system, in combination with the weighted values, (5) is the highest score a Selection Committee member can give any individual proposal.

• STEP TWO – Individual Selection Committee member scores for each proposal will then be added together to produce a final total score for each individual proposal. Based on this system, and assuming three committee members, 15 is the highest final total score any individual proposal can receive from all combined Selection Committee scores.

• STEP THREE – Based on these combined final total scores, the proposal/firm that has the highest final total score will be contacted for contract negotiations.

• STEP FOUR – In the event of a tied final score, with all other qualifications/preferences being equal, the tie will be resolved by a simple coin toss that will be conducted in the presence of representatives of the two tied firms.

Challenge of Solicitation Process: If a potential Proposer protests any provisions of this invitation, a notice of intent to protest shall be filed with the District, in writing, within 72 hours after the posting of the Request for Proposal on the District’s website and the Proposer shall file a formal written protest within ten (10) days after filing of notice of intent to protest. Any Proposer who files a formal written protest pursuant to Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code, and Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes shall post with the District at the time of filing the formal written protest, a bond pursuant to Section 287.042(2)(c), Florida Statutes (2010).

Failure to file a notice of intent to protest or failure to file a formal written protest within the time prescribed in Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code and Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. More specifically, “Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3) Florida Statutes shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120 of Florida Statutes.”

Americans with Disabilities Act: The District does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual’s disability status. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions including one’s access to, participation, employment, or treatment in its programs or activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District at (386) 362-1001 or (800) 226-1066 (Florida only).

The District’s fax number is (386) 362-1056.

Minority Business Enterprises: The District recognizes fair and open competition as a basic tenet of public procurement. Bidders doing business with the District are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, handicap, age, or sex. The District encourages participation by minority business enterprises. Whenever two or more service providers are ranked equally, a minority business enterprise shall be given preference in the award process.

Veteran’s Preference: In the absence of minority business enterprise, whenever two or more service providers are ranked equally by the District, a veteran-owned business enterprise shall be given preference in the award process.

Drug Free Workplace Act: The selected bidder shall represent that it has established a drug free workplace.

Public Entity Crime: Section 287.133(2)(a), Florida Statutes, states “A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in s.287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.”

Scrutinized Company: Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, states “A company is ineligible to, and may not, bid on, submit a proposal for, or enter into or renew a contract with an agency or local governmental entity for goods or services of:

1. Any amount if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or entering into or renewing such contract, the company is on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, created pursuant to s. 215.4725, or is engaged in a boycott of Israel; or

2. One million dollars or more if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or entering into or renewing such contract, the company:

a. Is on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, created pursuant to s. 215.473; or

b. Is engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria.”

Insurance Requirements: If awarded, vendor shall represent and guarantee that all employees, agents, servants or representatives of the vendor, and all employees, agents, servants, or representatives of subcontractors are covered by workers' compensation insurance as required by Florida Statute. Prior to entering into contract with the District, vendor shall furnish District with certificates of insurance, naming District as named or additional insured without waiving any defense of sovereign immunity or increasing the limits of District’s liability in excess of the Florida Statutory Cap under Florida Statute 768.28(5) for items 2 and 3 below, providing evidence that vendor has in full force and effect the following minimum insurance with insurers authorized to do business in the State of Florida:

1. Workers' compensation insurance as required above;

2. Motor vehicular liability insurance with limits of not less than $300,000 combined single limit which insurance shall be applicable to any and all vehicles utilized by vendor to provide the services requested by District;

3. General liability insurance for all services rendered by vendor for the requested services with a minimum of $300,000 personal and advertising injury and $300,000 general aggregate.

The certificate of insurance shall also provide that District shall be notified in writing by the carrier at least 30 days prior to any cancellation of said insurance.

Rejection of Responses: The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids or other proposals submitted in response to District invitation. District also reserves the right to waive any minor deviations in an otherwise valid proposal. The District reserves the right to waive technical, non-substantive deficiencies in responses.

Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-business hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, any employee or officer of the District concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing as indicated above.

Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0200-0299/0215/Sections/0215.4725.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0200-0299/0215/Sections/0215.473.html

SECTION 5 – SCOPE OF WORK

The District seeks a firm to successfully complete the Adaptive Management Plan as the primary scope of work (ATTACHMENT D). This firm and any subcontractors used to conduct services are responsible for following all the standards and guidelines listed in SECTION 5.

Invasive/Exotic Plant Removal All invasive/exotic plant infestations will be controlled/eradicated within the project area by chemical and/or mechanical means. Based on annual monitoring data collected by a third-party vendor and visual inspections, invasive exotic plant treatments will be conducted in any areas that exceed the percent cover standards listed in the Adaptive Management Plan included in ATTACHMENT D. This treatment work will be conducted on an annual basis until March 4, 2027. Each individual annual treatment regime will adhere to the compliance and application standards listed below. The site was last treated for invasives/exotics in June/July 2023.

Field Supervisor Requirements:

The firm under contract who is responsible for planning/implementing the invasive plant treatment work must designate a licensed field supervisor to be present during all chemical mixing and chemical applications. This field supervisor must have the following licenses and ensure all the standards, specifications, and requirements listed in the scope of work are followed and implemented:

• Field supervisor must have a current Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Public Pesticide Applicator license with a general standards (Core) certification and further certifications in Natural Areas Weed Management or Forestry Pest Control categories.

• Field supervisor must be able to correctly identify all species targeted within the project area as well as other invasive plants listed by FLEPPC as Categories I or II within the north region. The 2019 list may be found on the Internet at:

http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/plantlists/2019/2019_Plant_List_ABSOLUTE_FINA L.pdf. Any species on this list that are located within the treatment areas must be treated.

• Field supervisor must speak English fluently and be able to converse with all crew members, and project managers.

• Field supervisor must provide project managers with contact information (cell phone number/e-mail address) so periodic meetings can be coordinated and information exchanged.

• Field supervisor must have on-site copies of all chemical pesticide labels and material safety data sheets that are being applied.

• Field supervisor should ensure that all personnel properly wear all label recommended personal protective equipment to minimize exposure to chemicals.

Chemical Application/Mixing Requirements:

• District staff will identify an area to be used as the designated chemical mixing site. This area will also be used for cleaning equipment to comply with the District’s “Come Clean, Leave Clean” standard listed below.

• Chemicals and rinse water that are mixed, transferred, or temporarily stored will be done in the designated mixing area. All empty containers or those containing rinse water, pesticide, or pesticide residues will be removed from the project site once the chemical application is complete.

• During the work week (Monday-Friday), all properly secured chemicals and mix http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/plantlists/2019/2019_Plant_List_ABSOLUTE_FINAL.pdf http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/plantlists/2019/2019_Plant_List_ABSOLUTE_FINAL.pdf containers can be stored overnight in the designated chemical mixing area. On the weekends, and anytime contractors are going to be away from the site more than 48 hours, all chemicals and chemical mix containers must be removed from the site.

• Chemicals must be kept in their original containers until mixed. All mixtures should have temporary labels that list the trade name and rates of chemicals and any adjuvants within the spray container.

• The type/mixture of chemicals to be used, application methods, and application rates will be mutually agreed upon by the project manager and the contractor before work begins.

• There is no source of freshwater on-site for mixing chemicals or rinsing used containers, water must be brought to the site by the contractor.

• All applications will include the use of a marking dye (red/blue) and surfactants (for foliar treatments).

• Because there is the possibility of standing water being located within the treatment areas, the application of any chemicals that could contact the standing water must be labeled for aquatic use.

• When treating Japanese climbing fern, contractors are required to cut vertical stems on plants greater than 8 feet in conjunction with foliar treatments.

• The vendor will supply all chemical herbicides, adjuvants, and other materials to ensure effective control of targeted vegetation that meets or exceeds the required mortality rate.

• Herbicides will not be applied during adverse or non-optimal weather conditions including heat, wind, or precipitation that may minimize the effectiveness of the herbicide or increase the exposure and/or potential for drift to non-target vegetation, personnel, or objects.

• No chemical herbicide applications will exceed the labeled rates on the herbicide containers. All requirements, including state and/or local requirements, listed on the herbicide label are to be followed. Failure to comply with label instructions is a violation of federal and/or state laws. The contractor conducting this work is liable for any penalty, fines, or damages resulting from the misuse of herbicides.

Compliance Requirements and Deliverables:

• The firm responsible for planning/implementing the invasive plant treatment work will designate a Project manager to oversee this work and conduct all compliance checks.

This firm must guarantee 100% coverage of the treatment areas and at least 95% mortality of targeted species within these areas before invoices can be submitted for payment. Acceptable coverage will be determined within 5 days of application using random spot inspections. Mortality rates will also be determined at random spot inspection sites and will be implemented approximately 3-6 weeks after the chemical application is complete.

• To track chemical usage, contractors must provide the Project manager with legible copies of Chemical Vegetation Management forms that are filled out completely (ATTACHMENT E). These forms can be provided on a weekly basis but must include one individual form for each day chemical treatments occurred.

• The Project manager will provide Contractors with maps and/or GIS files of the treatment areas before work begins. The Project manager will provide this information in a format that can be uploaded into handheld devices to allow the accurate location of treatment area boundaries. Boundaries will not be flagged.

• When all treatments are complete, the Contractor must provide the Project manager with a GPS track log(s) that identify the location where applicators traveled during treatment operations.

• Once Contractors have mobilized to the treatment area they must remain on site until all treatments are complete. Treatments must not stop for periods longer than 48 consecutive hours without approval from the Project manager. If periods of adverse weather are encountered, the Project manager and Contractor will coordinate treatment times.

Equipment/Access Considerations:

• Contractors will follow the District’s “Come Clean, Leave Clean” standard which requires that all equipment and vehicles used by contractors at the project site be free of invasive plant material before entering and leaving District property. Project managers are required to inspect each piece of equipment before it enters project site.

• District staff will designate cleaning areas for contractors to clean their equipment; staff are responsible for monitoring the cleaning areas for new infestations. At this project site, the designated cleaning area will also be used as the designated chemical mixing area.

• There is no source of freshwater on-site for equipment cleaning. Contractors should be prepared to supply water tanks and spray equipment to clean equipment, if necessary, before leaving the project site.

• The Project manager or District staff may stop work and order the removal and/or replacement of any equipment if the equipment is not working or calibrated properly. The contractor has 48 hours to replace the equipment with an acceptable substitute.

Supplemental Planting and Vegetation Control The firm under contract who is responsible for planning/implementing the supplemental planting and vegetation control work must meet the following guidelines:

Supplemental Planting:

• All supplemental planting work must comply with the quality standards listed in the Adaptive Management Plan and will be conducted so that community-specific success criteria detailed within the Adaptive Management Plan are achieved. Specific planting criteria (included number of required plantings) are detailed in the “Community-Specific Mitigation Plans” narrative and the “Supplemental Planting Polygons” table within the Adaptive Management Plan.

• Supplemental plantings must be completed between December 1, 2024, and March 30, 2025, when conditions are best suited for planting success and long-term survival.

• Supplemental plantings may be made between December 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, in specific areas where site preparation is determined to be minimal. These areas must be identified in the work schedule and pre-approved by the project manager.

• A Field Supervisor must be designated and is required to be present during all planting operations. This individual must be fluent in both the English language and the language of the planting crew.

• Sufficient personnel and equipment must be provided to plant an average of 50 plantings/day of 3-gallon nursery stock to complete the project in the time allowed.

• All necessary plant/tree materials and planting equipment must be provided, and the cost of these items must be listed on the Project Fee Schedule in ATTACHMENT C.

• Planting in rows is preferred so that vegetation between the rows can be efficiently controlled over the long-term using mechanical or chemical control methods.

• Planting operations cannot stop for a period longer than 48 consecutive hours without approval of the project manager or District staff. Personnel problems must be resolved to ensure delays are minimized.

• If adverse weather is a problem, additional personnel and equipment must be provided to make up for lost time and ensure timely completion.

• The project manager or District staff can stop work if the project is not being completed as specified. Work will not continue until the deficiency(s) are corrected.

• A hydrograph of nearby Sampson Lake is available in ATTACHMENT F to support planning efforts.

Supplemental Planting Compliance Requirements:

• A project manager will be designated to oversee the planting/vegetation control work and conduct planting survival/compliance checks.

• For all tree stock and tree planting costs, 50% of the total invoice amount for these items can be paid after District staff certify this work. This includes certifying that site preparation vegetation control measures were effective, the tree stock was received and of good quality, and the tree stock was correctly planted during optimal weather conditions.

• After planting is complete, the project manager will conduct a survival/compliance check at the 6-month post-planting period. This compliance check will be conducted using random, fixed area plots. Sampling methods can be obtained from third party monitoring vendors or District staff. Survival data will be given to District staff for evaluation and certification for payment purposes. Certification for payment will include evaluating the procedures firms used to ensure planting stock survival after planting was complete.

This includes evaluating the frequency and effectiveness of any post-planting vegetation control measures that were conducted to help insure tree stock survival. This evaluation and certification process will also account for any adverse weather conditions that occurred during this 6-month period. If this data shows that 95% or greater of the planting stock has survived and all proper procedures for ensuring planting stock survival were implemented, an additional 25% of the total invoice amount for Tree Stock and Tree Planting can be invoiced and paid.

• This same process will also be done at the one-year post-planting period. If 90% or greater of the planting stock has survived at this time, the final 25% of the total invoice amount for tree sock and tree planting can be invoiced and paid.

• While compliance checks for payment purposes will be conducted at the time of planting completion, 6-month post-planting and one-year post-planting periods (as described above), firms are still responsible for replacing dead or failing plant material throughout the term of the contract to ensure compliance with the 2022 Adaptive Management Plan and/or updated adaptive management plans. This includes implementing additional vegetation control measures (mechanical/chemical) to ensure the survival of any additional plantings.

Vegetation Control:

• Firms must ensure that all proper measures are implemented to control vegetative competition on tree/plant stock both before planting occurs and after planting is completed. This will be done to ensure proper establishment and long-term survival and will include both chemical and mechanical control methods.

• All rates for chemical and mechanical control methods must be provided, and the cost of this work must be listed on the Project Fee Schedule in ATTACHMENT C.

Resource Protection The firm under contract to complete all the work identified in the Adaptive Management Plan and this RFP, shall perform this work in a safe and careful manner and will furnish and use such safety devices, methods, and measures as are required to protect the vendor, their employees and sub-contractors, District staff, and the general public against bodily injury and/or damage to property.

• Protection of streams, lakes, and reservoirs – the firm shall use every precaution necessary to prevent pollution of streams, by fuel, oils, other chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials. All streams will be kept free of project-generated debris.

• Protection of archaeological/historical resources - the firm, upon the discovery of suspected archaeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify District staff.

• Erosion control - All equipment will be operated in a manner to cause the least disturbance to the soil and groundcover vegetation.

Third Party Monitoring and Reporting To supplement the activities for this mitigation effort, a separate, third-party firm has been hired to conduct the monitoring and reporting to ensure site success and remain complaint with the USACE permit. The third-party firm will perform site data collection, monitoring, and reporting (report compilation) utilizing the same methodology as the 2022 Starke Bypass Mitigation Area

– Site Assessment Report (ATTACHMENT G), spot checking tree installation and final walk through as a technical advisor, coordination with, and technical guidance to planting contractor, and agency site visits for progress monitoring and compliance needs.

While this third-party monitoring and reporting work will be done to ensure compliance with the USACE permit and aid in the effort to release mitigation credits, it will be separate from the compliance reports conducted by the firm under contract to implement the Adaptive Management Plan and certified by the District. These reports will be generated and certified primarily for invoicing purposes.

Reporting and Invoicing/Payment The firm under contract to complete all work identified in the Adaptive Management Plan and this RFP will be responsible for meeting the following guidelines:

Reporting:

• Designate a project manager who will be responsible for all reporting and invoicing requirements. This individual will be the main contact person for all District inquiries. This individual must be available to answer questions from District staff or stakeholders and provide any requested data or reports in a timely manner.

• Coordinate and schedule monthly status meetings with District staff and stakeholders along with a monthly status narrative detailing work accomplished (plantings and invasive species treatments, etc.) general site trends/issues, and before and after photographs and success assessments of treatment and/or planting efforts for the length of the contract. Narratives may be provided in email format and should include a map and/or shapefiles showing polygons where the work was performed. The project manager will also schedule biannual site visits with District staff and stakeholders, and as requested by District staff. The District may choose to waive the meeting, narrative, or site visit requirement, in whole or part, at its discretion and will do so only in writing.

• Prior to invoicing, provide a summary report for each of the tasks presented in the Scope of Work and progress toward implementation of the Adaptive Management Plan.

Invoicing/Payment:

• Before submitting an invoice for payment, all work, including any generated reports or data, must be certified by District staff. This certification will include evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the work and will come in the form of an e-mail from District staff to the project manager providing authorization to submit an invoice.

• After certification is issued by District staff, 100% of the invoice amount can be paid for all tasks listed in the Adaptive Management Plan and the Project Fee Schedule except for tree stock and tree planting costs. For all tree stock and tree planting costs, invoices will be generated, certified, and paid using the process identified above in the Supplemental Planting Compliance section.

Project Completion Successful implementation, and achievement of success criteria in the Adaptive Management Plan must be completed by March 04, 2027.

Additional Considerations and Requirements:

The Contractor will be required to have GIS and CAD capabilities consistent with those of the District.

The proposal shall include any required equipment, materials or accessory features for installation, and an estimated time of completion.

The contract will allow for work and change orders pursuant to updates, monitoring reports or adaptative management plans or as advised by the agency.

SECTION 6 - PROPOSAL RESPONSE FORM

RFP 22/23-025

Date:

Company:

Telephone:

Address:

Website:

Point of Contact for Submittal:

Telephone:

Email:

To be considered a “Responsive Vendor”, Vendors shall provide a proposal that includes all the information listed below. The information listed below must be clear and easily identified in the proposal.

Letter of Application

Work Experience: Describe experience and list all relevant project examples:

• List projects where you were the primary firm responsible for conducting invasive plant treatment work and site preparation/mitigation planting work on wetland mitigation sites and where the work your firm conducted directly resulted in the release of mitigation credits. This should include all relevant projects completed over the last 5 years.

• For all listed projects, Respondents are required to provide examples of monthly or annual monitoring/project reports submitted to permitting agencies related to this wetland mitigation work. These reports should include information about completed invasive/exotic treatment work and site preparation/mitigation planting work.

Timeline: Provide a detailed implementation timeline for all deliverables in the Adaptive Management Plan, including the release of credits.

Deliverables: Describe a detailed, multi-year plan, for each of the tasks listed below. Refer to Section 5, Scope of Work for specific information requested in each deliverable.

1. Invasive/exotic plant removal

2. Site preparation & supplemental planting: contractors should include specific information in their proposals that describes the work they plan to conduct to prepare sites for reforestation and ensure long-term tree stock survival; this should include reference to chemical and mechanical vegetation control work including timing, methods, chemical prescriptions, and location. They should also include information describing tree stock type and planting methods/planting configuration. If drought or excessively dry conditions occur before seedlings are well established, contractors must describe the equipment and procedures they will use to keep the plantings sufficiently hydrated.

3. Reporting

4. Monitoring

5. Project completion

Cost: Include a complete fee schedule for all proposed services using the Project Fee Schedule Form included in ATTACHMENT C. Vendors must list both acreage and hourly rates when indicated. When applicable, all rates should include personnel, machine operators, fuel, materials, equipment, tools, transportation (of personnel), equipment mobilization, and supplies required to safely and effectively complete the work.

Project Team: List all personnel, their expertise, credentials, and experience who will work on this project. Information on education, training, experience, licenses, certifications, and continuing education should be provided so the Selection Committee may clearly be able to understand the qualifications of the firm/team that is being assigned to complete this project.

Similar projects that have been completed by the firm/team should be briefly highlighted and discussed including references to any permits that were obtained for the projects. Describe current workload and the ability of the firm to add a project of this scope within the proposed timeframes.

Equipment: List all equipment that will be used to complete the work identified in this proposal and the Adaptive Management Plan.

References: Contacts listed on the Similar Projects Forms, included in ATTACHMENT B, will be used as work references. For this reason, be sure to list contacts that have the most knowledge of the projects you completed.

Supporting Information: Provide additional information as needed to support the project.

Include a list of all subcontractors that will be used to conduct services and their contact information if currently known.