3-EXHIBIT A - SCOPE OF SERVICES.pdf

DOT-RFP-23-4007-CO

EXHIBIT A – SCOPE OF SERVICES

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State of Florida

Department of Transportation

EXHIBIT A - SCOPE OF SERVICES

FOR

DISTRICT WIDE MITIGATION, WILDLIFE AND

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,

DISTRICT FOUR OFFICE

FINANCIAL PROJECT NUMBER: 437901-1 -22-01 & VARIOUS

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1.0 DESCRIPTION

The Florida Department of Transportation (henceforth referred to as the Department or FDOT), District IV Planning and Environmental Management Office (henceforth referred to as PLEMO), desires Vendor services on an as needed basis to perform District wide tasks related to environmental activities necessary to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or State Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and environmental resource permitting concerns. The Department is committed to conducting the mitigation required by federal and state regulatory agency permits and regulations to offset unavoidable environmental impacts resulting from the Department’s Road and bridge projects.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

These activities may include but not be limited to wetland mitigation site development, wetland site monitoring and maintenance, and environmental impact reviews for projects identified in the Work Program, assist with the permitting of mitigation sites relocation of endangered and rare flora and fauna;

seagrass/benthic surveys and other natural resource activities as determined necessary by the Department. The Vendor is expected to maintain a team with a thorough understanding of the NEPA regulations and processes as they relate to transportation improvement projects, including NEPA Delegation/Assignment and State Wide Environmental Project Tracker (SWEPT) database usage; assist the District 4 Drainage Office in obtaining permits, be proficient in the biological and natural sciences knowledgeable of South Florida ecology; and able to present innovative approaches to avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating against any proposed project impacts to wetlands, listed species, and/or critical habitat.

Counties in District Four include Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River. May include work on the Miami-Dade Rail Corridor.

3.0 VENDOR SERVICES

The Vendor shall provide the following environmental services contained herein, as required by the Department. These environmental services may be required to be performed during any phase of a project. This includes, but is not limited to, Project Development & Environment (PD&E) pre-work, PD&E, Design, Construction and Maintenance. Specific procedural guidance will be provided by the Department upon assignment of each task. All services must conform to any current federal, state, and local laws, procedures, standards, and guidelines. Any data collected for the purposes of including in a Department Geographic Information System (GIS) database shall be in accordance with the Department’s Geocoding requirements. Local is defined as travel and work within Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River Counties, and including Miami-Dade Rail Corridor.

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1. Wetland Mitigation Services

The Vendor will be responsible for addressing the Department’s wetland or upland mitigation needs, as well as mitigation efforts which may be required for listed species and critical habitat, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), or other mitigation actions as required by permit or by environmental regulations. This task may include wetlands impacts analysis by habitat type and impact amount, hydrology analysis, functional assessments, analysis of avoidance and minimization alternatives, assessment of suitable alternative wetland mitigation sites, permitting and coordination with regulatory agencies. This may also entail investigation of mitigation banks, local and regional restoration opportunities, government programs which have appropriate credits available. A written report detailing mitigation alternatives and recommended action may be required. Investigation of potential alternative mitigation sites may be needed.

The Department shall be afforded the opportunity to have a representative at all meetings and/or field reviews, as well as public meetings, between the Vendor and construction personnel, permitting agencies or general public and shall review and be copied on all correspondence between the Vendor and the permitting agencies. The Vendor will report directly to the Department’s Contract Manager.

The Department occasionally enters into Agreements to do mitigation work on local or county government’s property. The Vendor may be required to add the governmental entity as an additional insured to its general liability insurance policy to indemnify the landowner of the mitigation site. Additionally, the local government may require a Certification of Insurance for other required insurances including but not limited to auto, worker’s comp, and general liability.

a) Wetland Mitigation Site Concepts

The Vendor shall develop innovative wetland mitigation site concepts that include a diverse palette of native plant species, elevations, hydrology, location, etc. Mitigation site concepts shall be in a format acceptable to the Department and regulatory agencies. The concept plans will include earthwork requirements and access requirements relating to construction activities. The plans shall be accurate, legible, complete in design, and drawn to scales acceptable to the Department and regulatory agencies.

b) Hydrological Studies

The Vendor will, as directed, be required to conduct hydrological studies to determine the effectiveness or suitability of a mitigation site concept as to site elevations or hydrological exchange or connectivity.

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c) Wetland Mitigation Permitting

The Vendor will ensure all Federal, State and Local (as necessary) permits are acquired and that conditions and/or commitments are met. This includes but is not limited to Water Management District (WMD) permit, Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), Right of Way (ROW) permit, Submerged Lands, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit.

The Vendor will prepare permit applications and conduct activities including any data collection needs and address any questions or concerns raised by the permitting agencies and supporting agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/USFWS, National Marine Fisheries Service/NMFS, etc.).

Permits are expected to be issued after no more than 2 Requests for Additional Information (RAI) from the permitting agency. Any work required after 2 RAIs is at the Vendors expense. The Vendor will coordinate with the Department’s Contract Manager as well as the Department’s Permit Coordinator. Work may include modifying the Department’s existing permits.

2. Wetland Mitigation Site Monitoring

The Vendor will monitor the Department’s mitigation sites and prepare reports in accordance with the specific conditions of the environmental permits and in the format specified and/or approved by the Department’s Contract Manager.

The Vendor is responsible for ensuring that all Department wetland mitigation sites are in compliance with the conditions of the state and federal permits issued for each site. In the event the sites are found to be out of compliance, it is the Vendor’s responsibility to bring the site into compliance at no cost to the Department. Monitoring duties may include, but may not be limited to the following:

a) Within the first 30 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP), the Vendor and

Department Contract Manager will conduct initial wetland mitigation site inspections to determine the level of compliance of each site. Initial maintenance of the sites will be determined at these inspections. The results of the inspections will be used to determine the baseline for the performance measures.

b) The Vendor will be responsible for taking field measurements, establishing permanent monitoring stations, establishing permanent photograph stations, water level gauges, notes on general habitat usage and wildlife observations and collection of any other field data required for the permit.

c) The Vendor will be responsible for compiling the field data, photographs, statistical data, and other supporting information into a written report.

Monitoring reports should include a summary of progress towards and any

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potential impediments to achievement of success criteria as defined by applicable permits. This report shall be prepared in accordance with the specific permit conditions. A draft copy of the report will be submitted to the Department’s Project Manager for approval, prior to finalizing the report. In addition to electronic copies of the report, there will be two hardcopy reports required. If photographs are included, FDOT must receive good quality color copies and photos must be dated. It will be the Vendor’s responsibility to submit the approved report to the permitting agencies, while providing copies to the Department for its records.

d) The Vendor will monitor the mitigation sites providing statistical vegetation and wildlife sampling in accordance with the specific conditions of the site permit. Regulatory permits will specify the monitoring schedule and parameters to be recorded during each monitoring event.

e) The Vendor may be required to monitor seagrass beds and artificial reefs at any time during the development, implementation, or post construction phase of a roadway project. Monitoring must be completed in accordance with any federal, state, and local requirements or methodologies related to permit requirements.

f) If wetland mitigation monitoring must be extended beyond the interval specified in the permits due to deficiencies in supplemental plantings installed under this contract, the additional monitoring reports shall be done at the Vendor's expense.

g) The Vendor shall inspect the wetland mitigation area for the presence or invasion of nuisance/exotic species. If they are observed, the Vendor will submit recommendations for control or eradication to the Department’s Project Manager.

3. Wetland Mitigation Site Maintenance

The Vendor shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Department’s wetland mitigation sites. Maintenance activities are required to ensure the wetland mitigation areas are in compliance with the environmental permits or environmental commitments. These activities may include, but may not be limited to the following:

a) The Vendor shall selectively remove and/or treat invasive plant species within the project limits by such methods as, but not limited to manual or mechanical removal and selective herbicide application.

b) All dead or decaying plants shall be removed from the project site unless otherwise approved by the Department’s Contract Manager. Remove, haul, and dispose of all removed invasive plant species to an approved location.

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Disposal shall be done in a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and/or FDOT approved manner that will not encourage re-infestation by the invasive species and comply with all applicable state and local codes.

i. Removal and appropriate disposal of non-hazardous solid waste.

ii. Herbicide application of nuisance or exotic species within a mitigation site. The Vendor shall be selective in herbicide application procedures (i.e. hand spraying, wiping) to control invasive plant species and assure survivability of planted species within project limits. Invasive species are defined as plants included on the FDEP’s List of Prohibited Aquatic Plants, the Exotic Pest Plant Council’s List of Florida’s Most Invasive Species (latest edition), and any other plant species that may adversely impact the natural growth of desirable plant species in the landscape areas as determined by the Project Manager. Herbicide application will be performed by a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licensed commercial applicator certified in Aquatic Pest Control application and Right of Way. All herbicide application must be supervised by a certified herbicide applicator. The Vendor shall, throughout the term of this contract, maintain at least one employee who possesses a valid Herbicide Application license. THE

VENDOR MUST MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE CURRENT HERBICIDE

APPLICATOR LICENSE THROUGHT THE TERM OF THIS

CONTRACT. Proof of license for any subsequent changes to herbicide personnel after contract execution will be required before work will be authorized.

iii. Herbicides must be approved by the Department’s Contract Manager.

Any herbicide solutions used on this project shall comply with all applicable regulations in accordance with the current manufacturer’s label. The herbicides must contain a compatible indicator dye to provide visible evidence of work for all parties. All herbicides purchased, shipped, and stored for use under this contract shall display the original manufacturer’s label at all times. Shipping, storage, and all other handling shall strictly comply with all applicable regulations and the current manufacturer’s label. No full, empty, or partially empty containers shall be left on site after application hours. No herbicide application shall be carried out by uncertified personnel.

iv. Desirable native plant species shall be replaced in any area where the plants have been injured beyond recovery by the Vendor's maintenance activities, withstanding allowances approved by the Department’s Contract Manager, prior to the removal of invasive species. The damaged plants shall be replaced with like-sized plants of the same species at the Vendor's expense.

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v. The Vendor shall be responsible to maintain and repair any existing staking and guying material used in the planting areas and for removal of tags, guy wires, staking or other features from plantings subsequent to the establishment period. Materials must be disposed of off-site from present or previous planting projects, as determined by the Department’s Contract Manager.

vi. The Vendor shall be responsible for watering, controlling weeds and exotic species, mulching, and seeding, to enhance plant growth in a mitigation area during the establishment period or during maintenance of the assigned projects by the Project Manager.

vii. The Vendor shall develop and place signage to identify a site as a mitigation area.

viii. The Department’s Contract Manager must certify each site to be in compliance before payments are made.

ix. The Vendor shall be responsible for required Maintenance of Traffic and the prevention, control and abatement of erosion and water pollution.

x. The Vendor shall be responsible for removing any trash on the site and disposing of it off-site as determined by the Project Manager.

4. Wetland Mitigation Bank Credit Ledger Maintenance

The Vendor will be responsible for maintaining the Department’s wetland mitigation credit ledgers that include credits developed through wetland mitigation creation, privately held wetland mitigation bank credits and other unused credits within the DISTRCT. These activities may include, but may not be limited to the following:

a) PERMIT MODIFICATIONS to amend mitigation ledgers for the

Department’s wetland mitigation sites to address transportation related impacts.

b) COORDINATE with Department’s Contract manager on mitigation needs and ledger withdrawals.

c) COMMUNICATE with wetland mitigation banks, United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Regional In-Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS), FDEP and Water Management Districts (WMD) as necessary to track wetland mitigation bank ledgers.

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5. Environmental Impact Reviews for Work Program Activities, Documentation of Environmental Activities

The Vendor will provide staff that possess the capability to conduct environmental impact reviews on projects that are listed in the District 4 Work Program. This shall include using Electronic Review and Comments (ERC), Statewide Environmental Project Tracker (SWEPT), Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Environmental Screening Tool (EST), Project Suite Enterprise Edition (PSEE) and other FDOT approved software to conduct the reviews. The Vendor shall provide personnel for environmental support services as necessary to the Department to assist with Work Program activities.

Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: documentation of the Department’s environmental activities plans review, literature, and background research environmental compliance issues permit applications/modifications;

quality assurance reviews field reviews data entry and scheduling related activities. The in-house staff will be required to provide recommendations to the Design Project Manager that would avoid or minimize the impacts as per the PD&E Manual. This will require the Vendor to provide trained staff to provide in house staff support. The following activities may be required:

a) Project file review, field review and subsequent plan reviews activities in the

Primavera schedule.

b) The Vendor shall maintain project files containing field notes, meeting minutes, telephone logs, as well as photocopied permit applications and subsequent completeness summaries.

c) The Vendor will, as directed, provide a quality assurance review of PD&E studies, re-evaluations, environmental permit documents, landscape or mitigation plans, mitigation documentation files, or studies performed by the Department or its consultants to ensure a quality product in compliance with all applicable standards and guidelines.

d) The Vendor will be responsible for providing experienced personnel to serve as in house staff support and conduct Environmental Impact Reviews of design projects in the Work Program that are being processed for Production Complete.

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6. Endangered Species Coordination

The Vendor will assist the Department in performing wildlife field assessments as required by the regulatory agencies including, but not limited to, such species as, bats, burrowing owls, indigo snake, sea turtles, scrub jay, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, crested caracara, word stork, snail kites, listed plants, and listed lichen species. The Vendor will follow State and Federal survey protocols and assist the Department with reporting, mapping, and coordinating with the agencies. Field assessments may require long hours including nights and weekend work. Wildlife assessments may also require specialized equipment and be done in difficult field and weather conditions. Certifications and accreditations such as Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Agent may be required. Note that State and Federal permits are often required for public land access, research, trapping, and sea turtle beach nesting reviews. The Vendor may be required to produce a Natural Resource Evaluation report as per the FDOT PD&E Manual.

If Endangered or Threatened species are identified unexpectedly on a construction site all construction activities are to be stopped until which time the Vendor can communicate with the Department’s District Construction Environmental Coordinator and the appropriate regulatory agency to identify suitable solutions. The Vendor will perform all necessary work for the safe exit or relocation of the Endangered or Threatened species and identify suitable sites for relocation if required. If relocated, the Vendor will perform the necessary monitoring activities as stipulated by the regulatory agencies.

7. Exotic or Nuisance Plant Species Concern

The Vendor shall provide, but not be limited to, the following services to review projects for the presence of invasive plant species:

a) The Vendor shall review the roadway projects for the presence, density, and location of invasive plant species.

b) Prepare a detailed list of invasive plant species, determine percent coverage, locate the invasive plants on plan sheets, determine best method of removal, and coordinate these findings with the Department’s Contract Manager.

c) Review selective clearing and grubbing Special Provisions prepared during the roadway design phase and review herbicide methodologies submitted during construction by the roadway contractors.

d) Inspect projects for presence of invasive species during roadway

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construction projects and prepare inspection reports for construction Project Managers.

i. Conduct inspections of corridor for presence of exotic or nuisance species to determine if exotic or nuisance species need to be removed during the construction phase. May be required to develop Modified Special Provisions (MSP) to address removal during the construction phase. May be required to ensure compliance with permit conditions or other relevant documents regarding exotic plant control and/or removal.

ii. The Vendor, as necessary, will assist the District Construction

Environmental Coordinator (DCEC) with the identification of native plants, including those listed as endangered, threatened, and rare, as well as exotic invasive. The Vendor may also be required to flag or mark species for protection or for removal.

e) STAGING AREAS – The Vendor, as required, will assist the District

Construction Environmental Coordinator (DCEC) with the review and selection of proposed staging areas. The Vendor shall assist the DCEC in making sure that the Department’s construction firm contractor restores all staging areas to their original condition or better. Assessments of proposed staging areas must be reviewed for compliance with all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements including, but not limited to, potential impacts to wetlands or other surface waters, historical, social and/or cultural resources, 4(f) resources (parklands, recreation areas), endangered or threatened species habitat, other wildlife, water quality, desirable tree species, and/or archeological sites. Staging areas will also be confirmed as being within the Department’s Right-of-Way (R/W). A written assessment will be provided to the Project Manager. Any potential contamination concerns within the staging area will be referred to the Project Manager to be relayed to the District Contamination Coordinator.

f) OTHER NEPA / ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS – Conduct construction inspections for compliance with any and all NEPA requirements or other environmental commitments made by the Department, including but not limited to aesthetic commitments, commitments regarding timing of construction activities, and notification of individuals or groups regarding certain activities. Coordinate with the Construction Project Administrator regarding the Project Commitment Record (PCR) updates.

8. Wetland Impact Assessment

The Vendor shall provide the following services to assess the impacts to wetlands for roadway projects in accordance with Part 2, Chapter 2, Wetlands, A - 11 OF 19 and other Surface Waters in the FDOT PD&E Manual.

a) Identify, analyze, and delineate wetlands and surface waters in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, and based on functional assessment methodologies (Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure (WRAP), FDEP Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM), etc.) approved by the Department’s Contract Manager and based on regional mitigation bank service areas.

b) Meet and acquire written verification of jurisdictional lines from the appropriate regulatory agencies.

c) Prepare wetland assessments and environmental documents in accordance with the PD&E Manual and/or ETDM process in a form acceptable to the appropriate regulatory agency, authority, and project manager.

d) All field data sheets, maps, aerials, CADD files, GIS files, or other wetland related produced data, shall be compatible with the Department’s current software. The product, as well as a copy of the computer files shall be submitted to the Project Manager at the conclusion of the project. Reports will be submitted in PDF format and hardcopy.

e) Develop a wetland mitigation restoration plan to compensate for wetland impacts. Restoration plans shall include, but not be limited to: traffic control and utility locations, existing easements, plant specifications and quantities along with planting elevations, locations, and densities and any hydrologic considerations. The plans may also include earthwork requirements and access requirements relating to construction activities, etc.

9. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Analysis

The Vendor shall be responsible for:

a) Assessing projects for potential impacts to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as per Part 2, Chapter 17 of the FDOT PD&E Manual.

b) The Vendor, with the Department’s permission, shall consult with National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) on potential managed species that may use project sites.

c) Prepare an NRE/EFH Assessment report and other documents to submit to the proper regulatory agencies. An EFH Assessment must include a description of the proposed action; an analysis of the effects, including cumulative effects, of the action on EFH, the managed species, and associated species by life stage; the Federal agency’s views regarding the

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effects of the action on EFH; and proposed mitigation, if applicable. The final documents shall be submitted in PDF and hardcopy.

d) Identify or develop wetland mitigation concepts to compensate for EFH impacts.

e) Complete the consultation process, obtain the necessary permits, and coordinate with the Department’s Permit Coordinator.

10. Benthic Biological Surveys

The Vendor will conduct annual seagrass/benthic survey for the Department bridges, structures, and drainage areas as needed. Work would include, but not limited to the following activities:

a) RESEARCH – Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies and review databases on benthic resources.

b) DELINEATE AREA OF DIRECT EFFECT - Review the existing information available about the project area, including but not limited to soil borings to delineate an area of potential indirect and effects/sedimentation. Research best management practices, including turbidity controls and construction practices to minimize the area of potential indirect effect and provide the Department with options to prevent sedimentation.

c) COORDINATE AREA OF INDIRECT EFFECT – coordinate with permitting agencies regarding limits of the secondary/indirect effects to wetlands.

d) COORDINATE – Depending on location, coordinate with agencies on when benthic analysis will be conducted and develop a safety plan.

e) CONDUCT - Perform underwater benthic analysis of the proposed project and record benthic resources within the project’s area of direct effects.

Benthic resource data to be collected including species, size, locations, depth, etc. Additionally, the area of potential indirect effect must be reviewed to identify and record any benthic resources which could be negatively impacted by the proposed project.

f) REPORT – Prepare a report of the project’s effects to EFH and ESA resources.

g) MAPPING – Prepare map showing benthic resources and other site specific details. This may require the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.

h) CONSULTATION - Assist the Department in coordination with regulatory

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agencies and providing necessary reports, mapping, and impact tables, and mitigation plans.

11. Lighting Investigations and Light Trespass

The Vendor will, as directed, conduct lighting analysis and reporting on the Department’s street lights adjacent to sea turtle nesting beaches. The Vendor will coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and, if necessary, recommended corrective measures. Additional lighting reviews may be required to evaluate light trespass on natural lands, public lands, as well as for other listed species as required by regulatory agencies (USFWS, FWC, NMFS and others as required).

12. Gopher Tortoise Surveys, Relocations, Recipient Site transportation

The Vendor will, as directed, provide services related to gopher tortoise survey, permitting and relocation on an as-needed basis. These services shall include, but are not limited to, coordination with all necessary agencies, engineers, recipient site owners and organizations coordination with the Department regarding work program needs; field work, surveys, data collection and analysis of donor and recipient sites; permit application preparation, submittal and pursuit of permit issuance; facilitation of mitigation contribution payments and recipient site fees; capture and relocation of gopher tortoises; transportation, delivery, marking and releasing of gopher tortoises from Department donor sites to the permitted gopher tortoise recipient site(s) and any required reporting;

“exclusionary fence” and/or enclosure(s) for soft release installation, monitoring, maintenance and removal. bat exclusionary measures according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guidelines and any miscellaneous wildlife tasks as needed by the Department. In addition, the Department also requires that the Vendor provide use of gopher tortoise “long-term protected” recipient site(s) (i.e. private recipient site/“mitigation bank”) permitted by the FWC that meets the minimum qualifications as outlined below.

This service shall also include providing the necessary documentation regarding the recipient site for Department permit applications.

4.0 PERSONNEL STANDARDS

1. Services To Be Performed Using Direct Labor Rates (Exhibit C, Section 1)

The Vendor’s team shall consist of specialists in environmental services that have knowledge of the FDOT NEPA process, SWAT/SWEPT process, FDOT Production scheduling process, permitting, construction, and natural resource monitoring, wildlife and plant field reviews, hydrological analysis, and exotic

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vegetation removal. Responsibilities of each topical area include plans review;

use of Electronic Review Comments (ERC) database, SWEPT, ProjectSuite Enterprise Edition (PSEE) Scheduling System, Primavera, and schedule updates; scientific monitoring; plan preparation; data collection, sampling, and analysis; permit application and document preparation; completeness summary letters; and regulatory coordination. Other tasks may include, but not be limited to, environmental commitment compliance procedures during design, construction, and post construction phases of a project.

All work will be in accordance with the Department’s relevant and most recent versions of Manuals, Guidelines, Handbooks, Models and Preferences, as well as all current Federal, State and Local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and resources.

The Department’s construction contractors work irregular hours; therefore, the Vendor must be available throughout the district to conduct inspections outside of regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), including but not limited to early morning hours, night hours, or weekends.

The Vendor shall provide the following certifications to the Department:

a) International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist

(http://www.isa-arbor.com) – Demonstrating that the Vendor has attained a level of knowledge in such areas as tree biology, problem diagnosis, maintenance practices, safety, pruning, and other subject and practice areas within the tree care profession. Note that pruning activity within Broward County requires that the ISA Certified Arborist must have a Class "A" Tree Trimmer License, as issued by Broward County.

b) FDEP Certified Mangrove Trimmer – Demonstrating that the Vendor has attained a level of knowledge in mangrove biology and can follow all regulations associated with mangrove trimming, pull back, and other maintenance practices, as well as regulatory coordination.

c) FDACS Pesticide applicator’s license with certification in the categories of Right-of-Way & Aquatics – Demonstrating that the Vendor can apply pesticides correctly, safely, and in the manner specified by FDACS.

d) FWC, Aquatic Plant Division, Aquatic Plant Control Permits - Demonstrating that the Vendor can apply pesticides correctly, safely, and in the manner specified by FWC.

e) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Inspector Certification – Demonstrating that the Vendor has attained a level of knowledge in NPDES as it relates to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) preparation implementation and inspection, and fulfillment

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of the Department’s regulatory commitments.

f) A FWC Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent – Demonstrating that the Vendor has attained a level of knowledge in gopher tortoise biology, gopher tortoise survey protocol, permitting, relocation, and protection measures as specified by FWC.

g) The Vendor shall have the ability to obtain the following certifications:

i) FWC Marine Turtle Permit - Demonstrating that the Vendor has the knowledge and ability to conduct sea turtle coastal lighting reviews and nesting surveys as defined by FWC.

ii) Ecological Society of America Certified Ecologist.

iii) Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) Professional Wetland Scientist.

iv) Certified Environmental Professional, certified by the Academy of

Board-Certified Environmental Professionals.

v) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Training such as qualified (electric/utility) line clearing personnel (regulation 1910.129). Please provide all OSHA related training certifications.

The following job classifications have been defined by the Department:

a) Chief Environmental Specialist – at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, marine biology, ecology, environmental science, or similar field with an understanding of South Florida ecosystems. This position shall have twenty (20) years’ experience with transportation improvement projects/ wetland mitigation projects including permitting;

10 years’ experience in FDOT contract management and 10 years’ experience supervising/managing other biologists, both in the office and the field. The Vendor’s Chief Environmental Specialist shall be the primary contact with the Department. Activities include, but not limited to, managing relationships with the Department, supervising staff, attending project coordination meetings; overseeing a team that conducts professional environmental studies and resource reviews;

analyzing project budgets; reviewing and editing technical reports;

overseeing sub-consultant management; planning and scheduling for projects; handling QA/QC; and overseeing the invoice process.

b) Project Manager – at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, marine biology, ecology, environmental science, or similar field with a good understanding of South Florida ecosystems. Project Manager shall have ten (10) years’ experience with transportation improvement

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projects; 5 years’ experience in FDOT contract management and 5 years’ experience supervising/managing other biologists, both in the office and the field. The Contractor’s Project Manager shall be the primary contact with the Department. Activities include, but not limited to, managing relationships with the Department, supervising staff, attending project coordination meetings; overseeing a team that conducts professional environmental studies and resource reviews;

analyzing project budgets; reviewing and editing technical reports;

overseeing sub-consultant management; planning and scheduling for projects; and oversee document preparation.

c) Senior Environmental Specialist – at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in physical or natural sciences with eight (8) years’ experience with transportation improvement projects; 5 years’ experience supervising/managing Environmental Specialists and Field Technicians, permitting and/or mitigation development experience, and technical report writing. Tasks will include, but not be limited to, overseeing the work conducted to perform wetland delineations and functional analysis;

floral and faunal assessments; development of an NRE as per the 2017 PD&E Manual; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and documentation; permitting and mitigation monitoring.

d) Environmental Specialist – Bachelor’s degree in physical or natural sciences with 4 years’ experience with transportation improvement projects. Must have a good understanding of south Florida ecology, demonstrate the ability to read and interpret construction plans and utilize Department software for recording comments and storing project information. Tasks will include, but not limited to identification of environmental impacts associated with proposed roadway projects;

assists in the resolution of environmental issues; prepares environmental impact and technical reports for transportation projects;

conducts database reviews; assists with field reviews, assists with mitigation monitoring and reporting, and provides in-house support as required by the Department.

e) Environmental Field Technician – this is an entry level position assisting with field data collection and review of environmental features.

Must have a basic understanding of South Florida ecology and be familiar with the Department’s safety procedures while in the field. Tasks will include, but not be limited to gathering field data and entering it into a computerized format acceptable by the Department, environmental monitoring, assisting with live trapping, drafting reports, and communicating findings. Carries out field activities directed by others.

f) Certified Arborist/Mangrove Trimmer – certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as a Certified Arborist or the

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Florida Department of Environmental Protection as a Certified Mangrove Trimmer and/or both as require to demonstrate the knowledge of tree biology and have the credentials to assist the Department with mangrove trimming and pull back, as well as other tree maintenance practices and associated regulatory coordination.

g) Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent – certified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to perform gopher tortoise conservation actions for which the Department is requesting. These activities include but are not limited to field surveying for tortoises and burrows, permitting, capturing, marking, transporting, relocating tortoises and tortoise commensals (e.g., gopher frog, pine snake, Florida mouse). The specific activities that an authorized agent is granted permission to perform must be listed on the FWC permit. The permit must be carried at all times by the agent and its assistants when conducting permit-related activities. An authorized agent applying for a permit to relocate gopher tortoises offsite, must be authorized (at a minimum) to conduct gopher tortoise surveys and capture gopher tortoises. A FWC permitted agent will have access to the FWC streamlined online permitting process for tortoise permit approvals.

h) Hydrologist – assist the Department in the monitoring, management and protection of water and water resources. Must have five (5) years’ experience in water resource work. Activities include ensuring the effective flow of water through wetlands, channels, and structures in order to assist the Department in the efficient planning, development and sustainable use of natural water resources. Must be able to use detailed data sources, computer modelling packages and other resources to collect, analyze and interpret data. Other tasks include, but are not limited to analyzing the effect of transportation projects and land use changes on water flow; undertaking hydrological modelling to assist the Department in developing wetland mitigation concepts and strategies;

assessing the relationship between rainfall, run off, and soil and rock features for basins; investigating factors affecting acidity, nitrate levels or other pollutants of wetlands and surface waters; working with computer modelling packages to assess the most effective methods of managing water in a particular area; assist the Department in addressing and implementing relevant regulations; and, assist the Department with inquiries from external bodies and individuals, such as water regulators.

i) Administrative Support – tasks to include, but not limited to managing and distributing information, taking memos, and maintaining files, sending, and receiving correspondence, scheduling, preparing presentation materials, creating spreadsheets, etc. Must be skilled at organizing and managing files, typing, editing and general ability to proofread documents. The Department may request that the Vendor’s

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administrative support take dictation or record the minutes of meetings.

Must be knowledgeable in office software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, etc.

j) GIS Specialist - makes maps and customized geographic information systems (GIS) applications and manipulate data to serve a variety of purposes. Must be able to read and interpret maps; manipulate and understand digital land data; program and manage data entered into a GIS database. Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in geography and computer science. GIS operator must be detail oriented, as well as have superb written and oral communication skills for creating and presenting data reports.

k) CADD Operator – develop permit sketches and other drawings necessary for permit applications and/or modifications.

5.0 DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Department will furnish any or all of the following items as appropriate, for performance of the required services.

All previously completed field reviews as required.

All available roadway plans, bridge plans, right of way maps, studies, monitoring reports, photographs, project history, and other available information pertinent to the subject.

All available aerial photography required for preparation of construction plans.

All copies of approved environmental documents and re-evaluations

Provide general philosophies and guidelines of the Department to be used in the fulfillment of this contract. Objectives, constraints, budgetary limitations, and time constraints will be completely defined by the Department.

Review and approve all submittals to the environmental agencies.

The Department’s Contract Manager shall provide the format, number of copies, and approval of all invoices for this contract.

SURVEY SERVICES – The Department’s Survey Unit will work with the Vendor to provide survey information for the production of permit sketches or mitigation plans, verification of elevations for mitigation sites or wetland areas adjacent to or within construction sites, or other sites relevant to the successful permitting or mitigation of the Department’s construction project. In addition, the Vendor shall

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work with the Department’s Survey Department as necessary for wetland jurisdictional, wetland construction as-builts, listed species mapping and other activities as needed.

6.0 REFERENCES

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida Grades and Standards for Nursery

Stock Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Aquatic Plant Permit Rules Florida Department of Transportation, PD& E Manual Florida Irrigation Society Florida Natural Areas Inventory FWC – Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Permits International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices SFWMD, Basis for Review UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

7.0 MISCELLANEOUS

Due to possible conflicts that may arise, and the Department’s need to have multiple Vendors available for these services, the following conditions shall apply:

1. The awarded Vendor for solicitation DOT-RFP-23-4007-CO is ineligible for award of solicitation DOT-RFP-23-4006-SC.

2. The awarded Vendor for solicitation DOT-RFP-23-4006-SC is ineligible for award of solicitation DOT-RFP-23-4007-CO.

**END OF EXHIBIT A – SCOPE OF SERVICES**