24-00009_BeaverHabitatMgmt_RFP_rev24327.pdf

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 1

March 27, 2024

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 24-00009

Development of Ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines

EXPECTED CONTRACT TERM: June 10, 2024 – June 30, 2025

ESTIMATED PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE (all times given are for Pacific Time, schedule may be adjusted if necessary):

BIDDER ELIGIBILITY: This procurement is open to those bidders who satisfy the minimum qualifications stated herein and are available for work in Washington State. Disadvantaged, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply.

CONTENTS OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

1. Scope of Work

2. Mandatory Requirements

3. RFP Coordinator

4. Instructions to Bidders

5. Evaluations and Award Procedures

6. General Provisions

7. Debriefing and Protest Procedures

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A Checklist for Responsiveness Exhibit B Certification and Assurances Exhibit C Vendor Certification Executive Order 18-03 Exhibit D Bidder Questionnaire Exhibit E Bidder Profile Exhibit F General Terms and Conditions Exhibit G Detailed Scope of Work

If any bidder does not comply with any part of this RFP, their entire proposal may be rejected as non-responsive.

Issue Request for Proposal, WEBS Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pre-Bid Conference - virtual Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 2-3:00 pm

Vendor Questions to WDFW email only Thursday, April 4, 2024, 12:00 Noon

WDFW Official Response to Vendor Questions, WEBS Friday, April 12, 2024

Proposals Due Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 12:00 Noon

Evaluate Proposals Week of May 20 2024

Announce ‘Apparent Successful Bidder’ Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Contract Term June 10, 2024 to June 30, 2025

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 2

Purpose.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to identify a Contractor who can provide project management, science, and management synthesis, and bring technical and decision support to produce ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines that describe the role of beaver (Castor canadensis) in habitat ecosystem restoration and resilience and recommends best practices to coexist with and maintain and/or restore beaver on the landscape. This project will be completed by facilitating a conversation with specified personnel in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), a consultation with tribal partners, and a statewide discussion with external stakeholders to produce guidelines for an approach to beaver and beaver habitat management that accounts for the various opportunities and challenges associated with beaver activity.

Background Information.

The mission of WDFW is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate the state’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

WDFW recognizes that beaver play an important role as ecosystem engineers by providing high-priority habitat to a diversity of fish and wildlife species. At the same time, beaver activities can come into conflict with humans through actions like the unwanted felling of trees, blocking culverts, and causing localized flooding. WDFW has responsibility both to protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems as well as to help foster co-existence between humans and beavers. These realities surrounding beaver can lead to conflicting management goals, strategies, and communication with stakeholders. Our desired future for Washington State includes a restored network of resilient habitats that support rich biodiversity and minimize conflict with people. Clearly articulating this goal and providing guidelines for maintaining and restoring beaver on the landscape will help WDFW and its many partners to advance this desire.

In developing the report under this section, WDFW intends to consult with the appropriate local governments, state agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and stakeholders with subject matter expertise on beaver ecology, beaver restoration techniques, techniques to reduce conflict with humans and property, beaver trapping, and husbandry techniques, and environmental, land use, and development laws that could support maintaining or restoring beaver on the landscape.

The report must provide guidelines on how to maintain and restore beaver at site and watershed scales and include: (i) an overview of current practices pertaining to beaver relocation and a review of human-beaver conflict; (ii) a review of the best available science (BAS) related to the role beaver management and beaver-related restoration play in maintaining desired habitat and ecosystem characteristics; and (iii) recommended goals and objectives for desired future beaver presence in different ecosystems throughout the state that would support resilient habitats and rich biodiversity, while minimizing conflicts with people, including criteria for identifying areas suitable for beaver recovery.

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 3

Supplier Diversity WDFW is issuing this Solicitation pursuant to RCW 39.26. Pursuant to this Solicitation, WDFW intends to conduct a competitive procurement to award a contract estimated to be valued at $150,000 or more. Because it is estimated to be $150,000 or more, a preference of 5% will be given to any responsive and responsible bid from a Small Business or Veteran-Owned Business.

This preference will be applied as a 5% addition to the overall score of the bid. The following definitions apply:

• SMALL BUSINESS – A Washington State business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership or other legal entity, that (a) self-certifies in WEBS that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either: (i) fifty or fewer employees; or (ii) a gross revenue of less than seven million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return filed with the Washington State Department of Revenue over the previous three consecutive years; or (b) is certified with the Washington State Office of Women and Minority Business Enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.

• VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS – A veteran-owned business certified as such by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs.

WEBS - the Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system; the procurement announcement system for Washington State government.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Tasks.

The Contractor will facilitate and document feedback within WDFW and among tribes and external stakeholders on the current state of and desired goals for statewide policies and management to maintain and/or restore beaver on the landscape for the habitat values they provide. The Contractor will review and synthesize this feedback with current science on beaver ecology and ecosystem-based management and develop a draft report for WDFW’s consideration by March 31, 2025, and a final report to WDFW by June 30, 2025.

This report will include the criterion for identifying suitable and appropriate locations in Washington State in which beaver could have desirable ecological benefits, as well as the constraints that could limit beaver, identify opportunities to coordinate and optimize beaver-human coexistence and the restoration of beaver to appropriate places on the landscape, and describe beaver contributions to ecosystem services (e.g., fire suppression, flood control) and habitat provisioning for other species. Based on the initial syntheses, WDFW may direct some content to incorporate into the guidelines regarding where protection of beaver (including restriction of harvest) is relevant to beaver maintenance or reintroduction goals. WDFW has budgeted an amount not to exceed $150,000 through June 30, 2025, for this work.

See Exhibit G, Detailed Scope of Work, for more specific information on the services that the Contractor will provide under the contract resulting from this RFP.

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 4

2. MANDATORY AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. Mandatory Communication Skills. Bidders must have demonstrated experience in:

• successful project management skills for effective time and resource management;

• communicating technical information to a non-technical audience;

• facilitating complex and controversial collaborative processes involving stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, perceptions, and values (e.g., policy makers, scientists, GIS experts, public affairs, and the public);

• building relationships and collaborative processes that result in sustainable and durable solutions; and

• technical writing and report preparation.

b. Highly Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Experience working on behalf of local, state and/or federal government agencies.

• Familiarity with beaver ecology, conflict, and management.

c. The Bidder is responsible for ensuring that proposed Bidder staff are committed and available throughout the duration of the contract. Any proposal by the Bidder for changes, replacement, or substitution of contract staff during the duration of the contract must be submitted to WDFW. WDFW shall have the sole discretion to accept or reject such a proposal. In no event shall such changes in the Bidder’s staff take effect without WDFW’s written consent.

3. RFP COORDINATOR

The RFP Coordinator is the sole point of contact in the WDFW for this procurement. All communication between bidders and WDFW upon receipt of this RFP shall be with the RFP Coordinator, as follows:

Name: Janice Jackson Office: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contracts and Purchasing Telephone: (360) 902-2444 E-mail: janice.jackson@dfw.wa.gov

4. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

All required documents must be submitted to the RFP Coordinator by e-mail by the times and dates in this RFP. Bidders are responsible for the means of delivery of all documents to ensure receipt by the RFP Coordinator by the required dates and times.

4.1 Proposal Contents

See Exhibit A, Checklist for Responsiveness, for a list of all documents that must be submitted as a part of the bidder’s proposal. All bids submitted in response to this RFP shall consist of the following documents:

a. A cover letter of no more than 400 words, signed by a person authorized to bind the proposing organization to a contract, summarizing the most important elements of mailto:janice.jackson@dfw.wa.gov

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 5

the proposal.

b. Exhibit B, Certification and Assurances, signed by a person authorized to bind you or your organization to a contract.

c. Exhibit C, Vendor Certification Executive Order 18-03, signed by a person authorized to bind you or your organization to a contract.

d. Exhibit D, Bidder Questionnaire, completed by your organization; and

e. Exhibit E, Bidder Profile, completed by your organization.

4.2 Proposal Format

One copy of the complete proposal must be submitted by the Bidder to the RFP Coordinator electronically using Microsoft Word, Excel, or portable document format (pdf). Any documents which require an official signature should be submitted in pdf.

4.3 Proprietary Information

Clearly mark any portion(s) of your proposal which contain proprietary information. You may not mark the entire proposal as proprietary. If your proposal is successful, and WDFW receives a request to view or copy your proposal, WDFW shall respond according to public disclosure procedures described in this RFP. However, if any information in your proposal is marked as proprietary, WDFW shall not make that portion available without giving you an opportunity to seek a court order preventing disclosure.

4.4 Pre-Bid Conference and Vendor Questions

Vendors wishing to submit a proposal for this procurement may attend an optional Pre- Bid Conference on Tuesday, April 2 from 2-3:00 pm, local Olympia WA time. This conference will be held virtually via a Microsoft Teams meeting; the link to this meeting is below:

Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 272 704 498 866 Passcode: VUQvFn Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio only) +1 564-999-2000,,895729604# United States, Olympia Phone Conference ID: 895 729 604# Find a local number | Reset PIN

Specific questions concerning this RFP may be submitted in writing to the RFP Coordinator at the email address specified in Section 3 of this RFP. There will be one opportunity to ask questions. Questions must be received by the RFP Coordinator no later than noon PST on April 4, 2024. Responses to those questions will be posted on or about April 12, 2024.

Questions must be submitted via email and must be received by the date and time listed above. Only responses received in writing from the RFP Coordinator will be considered official and binding.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDk4NTgxMzItMWVmYy00ZWRjLWEyMmUtNGY3MzgxOWYxN2E3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2211d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%226b3f8dfc-cfda-42c1-89d1-f6951d82978e%22%7d https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting tel:+15649992000,,895729604#%20 https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/811a9140-4f87-4b3b-b4e5-c0df12d33f3f?id=895729604 https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/usp/pstnconferencing

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 6

4.5 Delivery of Proposals

Send complete proposal to the RFP Coordinator at the email address specified in Section 3 of this RFP. Email transmission is required.

Proposals must be received by the RFP Coordinator no later than 12:00 Noon local time for Olympia WA on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Late proposals will not be accepted and shall automatically be disqualified from further consideration.

WDFW assumes no responsibility for delays in transmission of proposals. WDFW will use the ‘time stamp’ on the email as the official time of receipt. Time extensions will not be granted.

4.6 Procurement Complaint Process

Vendors considering submitting a bid or proposal in response to any request for bids, request for qualifications, request for proposals or any solicitation for goods and services under RCW 39.26 may submit complaints regarding a particular solicitation to the WDFW solicitation point of contact. Vendors may submit a complaint on the following for any solicitation:

• The solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition.

• The solicitation evaluation or scoring process is unfair or flawed; or

• The solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a response.

All complaints submitted under this process must:

• Be in writing.

• Be received by the WDFW RFP Coordinator by e-mail not later than five business days before the vendor’s response to a solicitation is required to be submitted to WDFW.

• Clearly articulate the basis for the complaint; and

• Include a proposed remedy.

WDFW will respond to complaints in writing and post the response (and any changes to the solicitation required by the response) on WEBS. The Director will be notified of all complaints and be provided a copy of WDFW's response. Vendors may not appeal the response or raise the same complaint during any protest period.

4.7 Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS)

Bidders are solely responsible for:

• Properly registering with Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) at www.des.wa.gov , and maintaining an accurate Bidder profile in WEBS.

• Downloading the RFP packet consisting of the RFP, all Appendices, and incorporated documents related to the RFP for which you are interested in Bidding.

• Downloading all current and subsequent Amendments to the RFP to ensure receipt of all RFP documents.

Notification of Amendments to the RFP will only be provided to those Bidders who have registered with WEBS and have downloaded the RFP from WEBS. Failure to do so may result in a Bidder having incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise inadequate information and Bid.

http://www.des.wa.gov/

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 7

5. EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCEDURES

5.1 Evaluation Team

A team will be formed to evaluate proposals. The team will be composed of individuals with technical and/or financial backgrounds. WDFW will evaluate the proposals for compliance with procedural requirements.

5.2 Information Used For Evaluation

The evaluation team will use the information in the Bidder Questionnaire, information gathered from Bidder’s references and cost proposal. No other information will be supplied to or used by the evaluation team. The following weighting and points will be assigned to the bid for evaluation purposes:

5.3 Evaluation Process

WDFW will evaluate the bidders’ proposals through the following process:

a. Preliminary screening. WDFW contract management staff will review proposers’ submissions and determine whether they are responsive to the procedural instructions in this RFP and meet criteria specified. Non-responsive proposals will be eliminated from further consideration.

b. Evaluations of Proposals. An evaluation team will be formed to review responsive proposals. The team will use the information provided by the proposer as described in Section 4.1 above; sample work products; and information gathered from reference checks. No other information will be supplied to or used by the evaluation team.

The following weighting will be used to evaluate the Proposals:

Capabilities: Weight Assigned Approach and Methodology 30 Work Plan/Deliverables, Project Plan and Schedule 30 Company Experience 10 Proposed Staff Experience and Qualifications 20 Cost 10 Supplier Diversity Preference, SMALL OR VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS applied as a 5% reduction of the bid price for evaluation purposes only

c. Reference checks. The WDFW may check references for the top bidder(s) only. In addition to contacting the references provided by bidders, WDFW may contact additional professional references to determine the bidders’ experience and past performance. Bidders whose references cannot be verified will be contacted and allowed one (1) business day to arrange for reference verification.

d. At the conclusion of the process described above, the evaluation team will compile the scores for all responsive proposals and name the Apparent Successful Proposer.

WDFW reserves the right to interview the top scoring Proposer(s) prior to making the apparent successful proposer determination.

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 8

5.4 Notice of Apparent Successful Bidder

WDFW will notify all bidders via WEBS and e-mail of the selection of Apparently Successful Bidder.

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 Public Disclosure

Proposals shall become the property of WDFW. All public records of the WDFW are available for disclosure except: “Competitive procurement instruments, such as a Request for Proposals or an invitation for bids, prior to the release to potential respondents/ bidders; proposals and bids received in response to competitive contract procurement instruments until either the public response to the competitive contract procurement instruments until either the opening of bids or, for proposals, the contractor and the department have signed the contract.”

WDFW will not disclose RFP records until the announcement of the apparent successful bidder. At that time, all information about the competitive procurement is disclosable with the exception of the portion(s) of the any proposal designated proprietary until the respondent/bidder has an adequate opportunity to seek a court order preventing disclosure.

WDFW may charge for copying and shipping any copies of material requested – contact WDFW for an estimate of cost. WDFW will not charge a fee for inspection of RFP or contract files. Address requests for copying or inspecting materials to the RFP Coordinator.

6.2 Costs for Proposal Preparation

WDFW will not be liable for any costs or liabilities incurred by the Bidder associated with the preparation of the proposal in response to this RFP.

6.3 Waiver of Minor Irregularities

WDFW reserves the right to waive minor irregularities contained in any proposals submitted in response to this RFP.

6.4 Right to Reject All Proposals

WDFW may, at any time at its sole discretion and without penalty, reject any and all proposals and issue no contract as a result of this RFP.

6.5 Authority to Bind WDFW

Only the Director of WDFW and his/her designated representatives may legally commit WDFW to contracts. The Bidder shall not incur, and WDFW shall not pay, any costs incurred before a contract is fully executed.

6.6 Contract Terms

The Apparently Successful Bidder will be required to sign a contract which contains general terms and conditions substantially the same as those included with this RFP as Exhibit F. The contract will also incorporate this RFP and the successful proposal.

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 9

7. DEBRIEFING AND PROTEST PROCEDURES

7.1 Debriefing of Unsuccessful Proposers

Bidders that have submitted a proposal that was not selected will be given the opportunity for a debriefing conference. The request for a debriefing conference must be received by the RFP Coordinator within three (3) business days after the Notification of Unsuccessful Bidder award letter is faxed to the Bidder. The debriefing must be held within three (3) business days of the request.

Discussion will be limited to a critique of the requesting Bidder’s proposal. Comparisons between proposals or evaluations of the other proposals will not be allowed. Debriefing conferences may be conducted in person or on the telephone and will be scheduled for a maximum of one hour.

7.2 Protest Procedures

RCW 39.26.170 requires WDFW to have a clear and transparent complaint process that allows bidders to submit protests after the announcement of the apparent successful bidder (ASB). The purpose of this process is to allow WDFW to correct evaluation process errors and problems before a contract is executed. After the announcement of the ASB, the WDFW solicitation point of contact must offer a debriefing conference to any bidder upon request. Bidders must request a debriefing conference within three (3) business days after the ASB is announced. In order to submit a protest for a solicitation:

• The bidder must have submitted a response for that solicitation.

• The bidder must have participated in a debriefing conference for that solicitation.

• The protest must be received by the WDFW solicitation point of contact by e-mail or letter within (5) business days after the bidder’s debriefing conference; and

• The protest must be in writing and clearly articulate the basis for the protest.

Bidders may submit a protest on the following issues for a solicitation:

• A matter of bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator.

• Errors in computing the scores; or

• Non-compliance with procedures described in the procurement document or agency protest process.

The WDFW Chief Financial Officer will act as the Protest Officer for as long as he/she has no involvement in the evaluation and award process; if he/she has such involvement the WDFW Deputy Director will select another neutral party to act as Protest Officer. The Protest Officer is responsible for investigating and responding to the protest in writing within 10 business days from receipt of the protest, unless additional time is needed. If additional time is needed the Protest Officer will notify the protesting bidder within 10 business days from receipt of the protest. The Protest Officer’s decision regarding a protest is final.

At the time that the protest response is issued, the WDFW Director and Department of Enterprise Service Director will be provided a copy of the original protest and the agency’s protest response.

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 10

8. RFP EXHIBITS

Exhibit A Checklist for Responsiveness Exhibit B Certification and Assurances Exhibit C Vendor Certification Executive Order 18-03 Exhibit D Bidder Questionnaire Exhibit E Bidder Profile Exhibit F General Terms and Conditions Exhibit G Detailed Scope of Work

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 11

Exhibit A

CHECKLIST FOR RESPONSIVENESS

� A cover letter of no more than 400 words, signed by a person authorized to bind the proposing organization to a contract, summarizing the most important elements of the proposal.

� A signed copy of the Certifications and Assurances document (Exhibit B), signed by a person authorized to bind you or your organization to a contract.

� A signed copy of the Vendor Certification Executive Order 18-03 document (Exhibit C), signed by a person authorized to bind you or your organization to a contract.

� Your company’s response to Bidder Questionnaire (Exhibit D); and

� A completed Bidder Profile (Exhibit E), including information about subcontractors.

Bids due Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12:00 Noon Local Time

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 12

Exhibit B

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES

We make the following certifications and assurances as a required element of submitting this Proposal, affirming the truthfulness of the facts declared here and acknowledging that the continuing compliance with these statements and all requirements of the solicitation are conditions precedent to the award or continuation of the resulting contract.

1. We have read, understand, and agree to abide by all information contained in the solicitation, all Exhibits, and incorporated documents.

2. The attached Proposal is a firm offer for a period of 90 days following the Proposal Due Date specified in the solicitation, and it may be accepted by WDFW without further negotiation (except where obviously required by lack of certainty in key terms) at any time within this period. In the case of a protest, our Proposal will remain valid for 90 days or until the protest and any related court action is resolved, whichever is later.

3. In preparing this Proposal, we have not been assisted by any current or former employee of the state of Washington whose duties relate (or did relate) to the state's solicitation, or prospective Contract, and who was assisting in other than his or her official, public capacity. Neither does such a person nor any member of his or her immediate family have any financial interest in the outcome of this Proposal. (Any exceptions to these assurances are described in full detail on a separate page and attached to this document.)

4. We understand that the state of Washington will not reimburse us for any costs incurred in the preparation of this Proposal. All Proposals become the property of the state, and we claim no proprietary right to the ideas, writings, items, or samples unless so stated in the Proposal. Submittal of the attached Proposal constitutes an acceptance of the evaluation criteria and an agreement to abide by the procedures and all other administrative requirements described in the solicitation.

5. We understand that any Contract awarded as a result of this Proposal will incorporate all solicitation requirements. Submittal of a Proposal and execution of this Certifications and Assurances document certify our willingness to comply with the Contract terms and conditions appearing in the solicitation, all Exhibits, and incorporated documents if selected as a Contractor. It is further understood that our standard Contract will not be allowed as a replacement for the terms and conditions appearing in the solicitation, all Appendices, and incorporated documents of this solicitation.

6. By submitting this Proposal, we hereby offer to furnish materials, supplies, services and/or equipment in compliance with all terms, conditions, and specifications contained in this solicitation.

7. We are not submitting any exceptions.

8. That neither we nor our “principals” (as defined in 49 CFR 29.105) are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency, or the state of Washington.

9. That we have NOT been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction to have willfully violated, as defined in RCW 49.48.082, any

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 13

provision of RCW chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52 within three (3) years prior to the date of the solicitation date.

I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.

SIGNATURE OF PROPOSER

PLACE OF SIGNATURE

TITLE DATE

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 14

Exhibit C

VENDOR CERTIFICATION EXECUTIVE ORDER 18-03 –

WORKERS’ RIGHTS WASHINGTON STATE GOODS & SERVICES CONTRACTS

Pursuant to RCW 39.26.160(3) (best value criteria) and consistent with Executive Order 1803 – Supporting Workers’ Rights to Effectively Address Workplace Violations (dated June 12, 2018), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will evaluate bids for best value and provide a bid preference in the amount of 3% to any bidder who certifies, pursuant to the certification below that its firm does NOT require its employees, as a condition of employment, to sign or agree to mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class or collective action waiver.

I hereby certify, on behalf of the firm identified below, as follows (check one):

� NO MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION CLAUSES AND CLASS OR COLLECTIVE ACTION WAIVERS FOR EMPLOYEES. This firm does NOT require its employees, as a condition of employment, to sign or agree to mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class or collective action waivers.

OR

� MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION CLAUSES AND CLASS OR COLLECTIVE ACTION WAIVERS FOR EMPLOYEES. This firm requires its employees, as a condition of employment, to sign or agree to mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class or collective action waivers.

I HEREBY CERTIFY, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, THAT THE CERTIFICATIONS HEREIN ARE TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT I AM AUTHORIZED TO MAKE

THESE CERTIFICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE FIRM LISTED HEREIN.

FIRM NAME: _____________________________________________________

NAME OF VENDOR – PRINT FULL LEGAL ENTITY NAME OF FIRM

dba, if applicable ____________________________________________________

By: ____________________________________

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON

Title: __________________________________

TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING CERTIFICATE

Date: __________________________________

PRINT NAME OF PERSON MAKING CERTIFICATIONS FOR FIRM

Place: ________________________________

PRINT CITY AND STATE

Bids due Friday, April 1Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12:00 Noon Local Time

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 15

Exhibit D

Bidder Questionnaire

Instructions to Bidders: Please ensure that you have included the following information in your response, as these are the items that will be used to evaluate your response:

Approach and Methodology In 5 or fewer pages, provide a complete description of the Bidder’s proposed approach and methodology for the project. This section should convey the Bidder’s understanding of the proposed project and must address resources proposed for use in the project.

Work Plan/Deliverables, Project Plan and Schedule Provide a workplan/deliverables for both meeting and workshop design/facilitation services, and stakeholder engagement services. Include all project requirements and the proposed tasks, services, activities, etc. necessary to accomplish the scope of the project defined in this RFP. This section must contain sufficient detail to convey to members of the evaluation team the Vendor’s knowledge of the subjects and skills necessary to successfully complete the project. Include any required involvement of WDFW staff. The Vendor may also present any creative approaches that might be appropriate and may provide any pertinent supporting documentation. Fully describe deliverables to be submitted under the proposed contract.

In 5 or fewer pages, provide a detailed project plan and schedule to complete the Scope of Work. This section must contain sufficient detail to convey to members of the evaluation team the Bidder’s knowledge of the subjects and skills necessary to successfully complete the project. Include any required involvement of WDFW staff. The Bidder may also present any creative approaches that might be appropriate and may provide any pertinent supporting documentation. Fully describe deliverables to be submitted under the proposed contract.

Company Experience In 5 or fewer pages describe a similar project or projects completed in the last five years by the Bidder submitted for this RFP. Include the outcomes achieved for the customer. Identify this customer and provide contact information (name, telephone, email, etc.) for this customer.

Proposed Staff and Subcontractors Experience and Qualifications Identify Consultant staff, including subcontractors, who will be assigned to the potential contract, indicating the responsibilities and qualifications of such personnel, and include the amount of time each will be assigned to the project. Describe the proposed Consultant staff’s experience as it relates to the Mandatory and Desirable section listed above.

Provide a résumé for each staff person submitted for this project, including subcontractors if applicable (include company names and phones numbers worked for the past three years for each individual). If any staff or subcontractors are currently or previously employed by Washington State during the last 24 months please identify the agency, the position and separation date.

If any staff or subcontractors are currently or previously employed by Washington State during the last 24 months please identify the agency, the position and separation date.

Cost Proposal Provide a cost proposal that identifies all costs by tasks/subtasks identified in the Scope of Work, including expenses to be charged for performing the services necessary to accomplish the objectives of this RFP. The Bidder is to submit a fully detailed budget including staff costs, administrative costs, travel costs, and any other expenses necessary to accomplish the tasks and to produce the deliverables under the proposed contract.

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Exhibit E

BIDDER PROFILE

COMPANY INFORMATION (for contract administration purposes) Company Name & Address:

Authorized Representative:

Phone:

Email:

Ordering Address:

Payment Address:

Federal Tax Identification Number

WA Dept. of Revenue Universal Business Identifier (UBI) Number*

WA Statewide Vendor Payment Number*

*Required for the vendor providing services resulting from this procurement, but not required to submit a proposal.

REFERENCES

Provide a minimum of three (3) commercial or government references for which Bidder has delivered goods and/or services similar in scope as described in the RFP.

1. Customer:

Contact:

2. Customer:

Contact:

3. Customer:

Contact:

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 17

SUBCONTRACTORS

If applicable, on a separate sheet, identify any subcontractors who will perform services in fulfillment of contract requirements; the nature of services to be performed and include federal tax identification (TIN) number for each subcontractor. If a subcontractor is a minority or women owned business, please include their OMWBE Certification Number (if certified). If necessary, attach additional sheets (please stamp or mark each page with a company name, mark, or initial). Do not include any Social Security Numbers.

The contractor, by including subcontractor(s) as part of your signed Proposal is your agreement to take complete responsibility, contract obligations, and liability for all actions of such subcontractors. All subcontractors are subject to DES approval. DES reserves the right to approve or disapprove any subcontractor.

SALES/CUSTOMER SERVICE

Purchasing Cards Accepted:

Visa Master Card American Express Discover Other:

MINORITY/WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS STATUS

Is your firm a Minority/Women Owned Business? Yes No

Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises MWBE certification #

SMALL BUSINESS STATUS

Is your firm a Small Business? Yes No

VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS STATUS

Is your firm a Veteran Owned Business? Yes No

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs certification #

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 18

Exhibit F

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

See the inserted document below.

Exhibit E - sample terms and condition

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 19

Exhibit G

DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK

As a third-party neutral facilitator, the Contractor will provide the following services under the work order resulting from this procurement. Assumptions have been included to allow proposers the opportunity to estimate the amount of effort required and provide a firm fixed price for their proposal.

1. Project Management for Development of Ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines.

a. initial meetings with WDFW staff in Wildlife and Habitat Programs to clarify sideboards for each body of work.

2. Beaver Strategy tasks

a. Facilitating at least two meetings with previously identified interested parties to:

i. elicit feedback from interested parties (due to WDFW November 1, 2024) regarding development of Ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines as it relates to minimizing human-beaver conflict and maximizing potential benefits of beavers in habitat and watershed management.

ii. present a draft report for WDFW review that provides(i) an overview of the current practices pertaining to beaver relocation and a review of beaver-human conflict; (ii) a review of the best available science (BAS) related to the role beaver management and beaver-related restoration play in maintaining desired habitat and ecosystem characteristics; (iii) recommended goals and objectives for desired future beaver presence in different ecosystems throughout the state that would support resilient habitats and rich biodiversity, while minimizing conflicts with people, including criteria for identifying areas suitable for beaver recovery; and (iv) guidelines on how to maintain and restore beaver at site and watershed scales.

1. Prior to each external party meeting, the Contractor will participate in at least one video conference call meeting with WDFW staff. The purpose of the call is to establish goals and objectives of the next meeting and to develop and review materials.

2. After the planning meeting, distribute approved agenda and meeting materials, conduct outreach with meeting attendees, facilitate the meeting, conduct follow-up meetings with attendees and prepare and distribute meeting summaries. Meeting dates will be selected and scheduled in coordination with WDFW staff. Meetings may be held via videoconference or in-person meetings during this work period.

3. WDFW will reimburse the Contractor for allowable travel costs (mileage round trip from the business location to Olympia, WA, lodging and per diem

WDFW RFP 24-00009 PAGE 20

(if meals not provided at meeting)) at the current State of Washington government rates; these rates are located at:

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/policy/10.90.htm.

4. WDFW will handle meeting logistics including facility reservations, refreshments, and set up/tear-down; develop/distribute any promotional materials to the general public; and manage all media outreach and inquiries.

iii. provide recommendations for proposed Ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines document.

b. Submit a draft report for WDFW’s consideration by March 31, 2025, and a final report to WDFW by June 30, 2025

3. Additional Communication. There may be a need to respond to staff members to address a specific issue. Bidders need to plan for up to twenty (20) hours of additional phone calls for these issues.

Bids due Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12:00 Noon Local Time http://www.ofm.wa.gov/policy/10.90.htm