REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CENTRAL NEW YORK REGIONAL PLANNING AND

DEVELOPMENT BOARD

USDA, FOREST SERVICE

CNY COMMUNITY FORESTRY INITIATIVE

COMMUNITY PLANNING, PROCUREMENT, AND TREE

PLANTING SERVICES

6/24/2026

Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board

Request for Proposal (RFP) for CNY Community Forestry Initiative

RFP Release Date: 6/24/26 Questions Due By: 7/10/26 Questions will be answered by: 7/17/26 Proposal Due Date: 8/14/26 at 3:00 pm.

Anticipated Contractor Selection: 8/31/26 Anticipated Contract Execution and start date: 10/1/26

A. Project Overview

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) is a public planning and development agency that was established in 1966 by Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties under the provisions of Article 12B of the New York State General Municipal Law for the purpose of assisting with the growth and development of communities in Central New York.

The CNY RPDB is seeking proposals from qualified firms to help plan and implement a comprehensive community forestry program in Central New York, encompassing Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.

The CNY Community Forestry Initiative is being supported by a grant that was awarded to the CNY RPDB in August 2024 through the USDA, Forest Service Regional Urban and Community Forestry Program.

The goal of the CNY Community Forestry Initiative is to work with approximately 25 communities in Central New York, chosen by the CNY RPDB, to plant 3,600 trees over a three-year period.

The scope of work outlined in this RFP will include four main components: community planning, tree procurement and planting, community outreach and education, and reporting and contract administration.

The total amount of grant funding allocated to complete this scope of work shall not exceed $5,016,295.

As currently structured, the contract period is October 1, 2026 through June 5, 2029.

B. Scope of Work

In accordance with this Request for Proposals, the contractor must complete the scope of work as outlined below:

1. Community Planning Development of Canopy Assessments, Site Assessments, and Community Forest Planting and Management Plans

Description: Perform an analysis of the current conditions, challenges and opportunities as they relate to community forest in designated areas throughout Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties. The purpose of this is to identify discrepancies between the current state of the community forest and the desired outcomes. The categories to be assessed are: existence of a current tree canopy analysis, policy and ordinances, staffing and resources, level of current community engagement, and climate and pest risks.

Tree Canopy Assessments: The contractor will perform an analysis of the current tree canopy in designated, priority areas. Use NAIP imagery, available GIS data, and/or terrestrial LiDAR to map current tree canopy, impervious surfaces, grass/open space, bare ground, and open water. Provide canopy cover data for various geographies such as parcels, zoning, land use, neighborhoods, and watersheds.

Identify preferred planting areas based on various parameters (e.g., socio-demographics, surface water proximity, public/private ownership) to prioritize tree planting efforts. The selected contractor will work closely with the CNY RPDB and community partners to determine the most important criteria and metrics to use in prioritizing planting opportunity areas.

The selected consultant should have a platform that provides routinely updated tree canopy and land cover data through advanced spatial analysis, interactive web-based mapping, and geospatial visualization tools for the duration of the project or contract term. The platform should transform traditional canopy assessments into an ongoing operational and planning resource that supports long-term community forest management, climate resilience planning, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement.

Operational benefits to communities should be established by creating a repeatable framework for monitoring canopy conditions, evaluating change over time, and supporting data-driven community forestry investment decisions. The platform will allow communities to continuously monitor canopy gain and loss, identify priority planting opportunities, support data-driven resource allocation, evaluate tree canopy distribution across the community, and track progress toward community forestry and long-term community development goals. The approach should provide communities with consistent, defensible canopy data that supports planning, investment prioritization, policy development, and measurable community forestry outcomes.

Canopy updates will provide the communities with the ability to evaluate planting success, monitor canopy resilience, assess environmental change, and adapt management strategies as community priorities and environmental conditions evolve. The platform should also support transparent and community-centered planning by helping identify areas most impacted by heat, flooding, and environmental disparities, allowing community forestry investments to be strategically prioritized where they can provide the greatest long-term benefit.

Canopy assessment deliverables will include:

● Routinely updated tree canopy and land cover datasets

● Interactive web-based canopy and land cover mapping

● Canopy gain and loss monitoring through change detection analysis

● Identification of vacant planting areas and reforestation opportunities

● Community heat and environmental stressors analysis

● Downloadable GIS-compatible datasets and mapping layers

● Integrated environmental benefit analysis through i-Tree tools

● Custom reporting and visualization capabilities

● Long-term data hosting and web-based access

● Integration opportunities with existing community forestry management systems and workflows

Site Assessments: The contractor will assess potential planting sites with consultation from the municipality and will upload potential planting sites into an online and accessible database. The site assessments will include a planting strategy that will be updated annually. The municipality will give final approval of the locations of the individual planting sites which will be included in the Community Forest Planting and Management Plans. Site assessments must occur in eligible disadvantaged community census tracts noted in Exhibit A and areas identified as being priority areas based on criteria such as canopy cover levels, resiliency targets, and community need. The assessments may be GIS-based or use terrestrial LiDAR, as appropriate. Completed site assessments should be accessible to the municipality through an online database.

Planting and Management Planning: The contractor will develop Community Forest Planting and Management Plans, including maintenance strategies, areas of improvement, and a three-year planting strategy. The contractor will create management plans for priority areas that outline a strategy for maintaining existing trees, identify areas of opportunity and improvement, and incorporate a planting strategy covering the next 3 years of potential planting projects. The contractor will work closely with partner municipalities, the CNY RPDB, and community-based partner organizations to assist with public outreach, engagement, and education via mailers, e-blasts, municipal and public meetings, and other forms of public outreach. Management plans must include significant, thoroughly explained, and documented community engagement and include strategies for improving service to disadvantaged communities. The Community Forest Planting and Management Plans must be completed in consultation with the local government and its designated representatives.

Community Forest Planting and Management Plans must, at a minimum, include the following sections:

● Executive Summary

● Structure & Composition

● Functions & Benefits Analysis

● Recommended Maintenance

● Planting Plan

● Maintenance Strategy & Example Budget through June 5, 2029

● Conclusion

● Appendices

The contractor will be responsible for completing canopy analyses, site assessments, and Community Forest Planting and Management Plans for approximately 25 eligible municipalities (identified by CNY

RPDB).

The contractor will locate enough planting sites to facilitate the successful planting of approximately 3,600 trees over three years.

Tree Ordinance Template: To support the CNY community forestry initiative, the contractor will draft and provide a template tree ordinance for use in CNY municipalities that may not currently have a tree ordinance or may wish to update theirs with current best practices.

2. Tree Procurement and Planting

Procurement and Planting of Trees in Designated Areas

Description: The contractor will be responsible for procuring and planting at least 3,600 trees in Central New York. Tree size may vary but must not be smaller than 1” caliper for plantings and must follow the recommendations from Community Forest Planting and Management Plans.

For planting projects, species lists will be developed by a technical expert knowledgeable of local climate, site characteristics, and tree species. These sites can be a combination of small, medium, or large planting sites. Planting projects will not install any state-listed invasive species, including invasive species listed as “restricted,” “pending further review,” or “non-restricted,” or that are on a watch list.

The contractor will acquire a mix of native and non-native non-invasive species in consultation with municipalities to provide communities with various options. The planting sites shall be uploaded to an online database accessible to the municipalities the CNY RPDB is working with on this project. The contractor should make the best effort to frontload procurement expenses as much as possible and should seek to provide upfront payment for the bulk purchase of trees.

All tree-related work completed under this grant will follow the latest relevant ANSI standards (e.g., ANSI Z60.1 Nursery Stock Standards, A300 Standards for Tree Care Operations) and International Society of Arboriculture Best Management Practices or equivalent.

For site preparation, allowable tree removals include dead, standing trees and trees rated as “extreme” or “high” risk of failure as documented by a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified professional who clearly documents the only acceptable mitigation option for reducing tree risk to an acceptable level is whole tree removal. Trees removed should be replaced at a nearby appropriate site within the contract period at a rate of at least 1:1.

In identified planting areas, the contractor will be responsible for removing any hazardous or diseased trees, including stumps, identified by the site assessment. The municipality must give approval for any tree or stump removals undertaken by the contractor.

After planting, it is assumed that the contractor will be responsible for initial maintenance and watering of trees planted through this grant for a period of 1 year, after which time the municipality/site owner will be responsible for continued maintenance and watering.

3. Community Outreach and Education Provide Outreach and Education to Communities throughout Central New York

Description: The contractor will assist in providing outreach and education to communities regarding this program. The contractor will be responsible for creating and maintaining a website for the CNY Community Forestry initiative for the duration of the contract. The website shall at a minimum contain information regarding the program, eligible communities, recent plantings, contact information for the CNY RPDB program manager and contractor, and links to register for upcoming webinars and events.

The contractor should host at least one education or training event per quarter that relates to community forestry.

All planning and plantings must have a public outreach component to them. Completed plans must be made available in public locations such as the municipal website, municipal offices, and/or public libraries. Completed plantings must be listed on the municipal website and/or be noted through a press release and must acknowledge the source of funding (according to USFS guidance posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/grants/partner-comm-products), as well as include educational information on the environmental, economic, and health benefits of the project.

4. Reporting and Contract Administration Description: The contractor will provide monthly invoices to the CNY RPDB and will receive reimbursement only after the CNY RPDB has been paid by the US Forest Service. The contractor shall not invoice more frequently than monthly. The contractor will be expected to provide quarterly reports containing at a minimum the number of canopy assessments, site assessments, Community Forest Planting and Management Plans, and trees acquired and planted in addition to a written summary of activities for that quarter and planned activities for the following quarter.

The contractor will be responsible for reporting on planning efforts (locations of completed canopy assessments, site assessments, tree planting plans, etc.) and planted trees on the US Forest Service Trees at Work reporting tool monthly.

The contractor will also be expected to create and maintain an online database of inventoried trees and planting sites that must be shared with the municipality and remain publicly accessible throughout the contract period.

C. Proposal Evaluation and Selection

All proposals will be evaluated by the CNY RPDB. The contractor selection will be based upon the relevant technical expertise of the firm and staff assigned to work on the project, a clear demonstration of the respondent’s understanding of the project scope of work, and the capacity to carry out the project in a timely manner and in accordance with the project schedule.

No oral presentations will be required as part of this request for proposal review process, however, respondents may be contacted directly by the CNY RPDB for additional information or for the clarification of any information presented.

D. Award and Contract

The CNY RPDB reserves the right to reject any or all proposals that are submitted in response to the RFPs. The CNY RPDB reserves the right to change the scope of work requested in this RFPs during any phase of this project. Any change in the scope of work may result in a proportionate change in fee and project schedule. Any change in fee and schedule shall be negotiated to the mutual satisfaction of the CNY RPDB and consultant and will be reflected in a written amendment to the contract documents that are executed by both parties.

Any expenses incurred by a respondent in the preparation of a proposal shall be borne by the submitting firm with the express understanding that the respondent shall not apply to the CNY RPDB for reimbursement of any such expenses. The CNY RPDB shall not be responsible for the return of any https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/grants/partner-comm-products proposals which have been submitted in response to the RFPs and shall be free to dispose of any such submittals as it sees fit.

E. Compliance

This project is being funded by a grant the CNY RPDB has secured from the USDA – Forest Service. All participants in this project must comply with all of the relevant federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and contract requirements required by the CNY RPDB and the funding agencies noted above.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, all parties are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.

The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; o

(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

F. Other Conditions of the Contract

Documents - All reports and documents prepared by the consultant under the provisions of this RFP and contract shall be the property of the CNY RPDB.

Books and Records - In accordance with federal regulations, the consultant must maintain accurate books and financial records for all work done on this project for the term of the contract period and for five years from the expiration of the contract. If requested, such records must be made available during this period to the CNY RPDB and the USDA Forest Service.

Payment - All payments will be made by the CNY RPDB to the consultant in a timely manner. These payments shall be conditioned upon the completion, acceptance, and approval of the consultant’s work by the CNY RPDB and the USDA Forest Service. As noted in this RFP, all consultant work on this project must be complete by June 5, 2029.

The consultant must submit evidence with this proposal, in the form of a certificate of insurance, that the company has the following insurance coverage currently in place: general liability, automobile, workers compensation, and professional liability. The overall insurance requirements for this project will be established as a component of the final contract. This insurance will require that the CNY RPDB and USDA Forest Service be named additional insured parties.

G. Contact Information and Submission Requirements:

Submission Procedures and Deadline:

The deadline for the submission of a proposal to the CNY RPDB in response to this RFP is August 17, 2026 at 3:00 pm. All proposals must be submitted to amazzoni@cnyrpdb.org via email in pdf format. No hard copy proposals will be accepted by the CNY RPDB.

Contact:

The contact person for respondents to this RFP is:

Amanda Mazzoni, Program Manager Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board 126 N. Salina Street, Suite 200 Syracuse, New York 13202 amazzoni@cnyrpdb.org 315-422-8276x1215

Timeline:

RFP Release Date: 6/24/26 Questions Due By: 7/10/26 Questions will be answered by: 7/17/26 Proposal Due Date: 8/14/26 at 3:00 pm.

Anticipated Contractor Selection: 8/31/26 Anticipated Contract Execution and start date: 10/1/26

Public Notice:

NYS Contract Reporter Category: Agriculture, Forestry, Gardening, Landscaping, Lawn Maintenance & Snow Removal Issue Date: 6/24/26 mailto:amazzoni@cnyrpdb.org

EXHIBIT A

ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES AND CENSUS TRACTS

Eligible Communities and Census Tract List

Municipality Census Tract

GEOID COUNTY

Auburn city 36011041300 Cayuga Auburn city 36011041400 Cayuga Auburn city 36011041500 Cayuga Auburn city 36011041700 Cayuga Auburn city 36011041800 Cayuga Auburn city 36011042100 Cayuga Aurelius town 36011041202 Cayuga Brutus town 36011040400 Cayuga Cato town 36011040201 Cayuga Conquest town 36011040300 Cayuga Locke town 36011040900 Cayuga Mentz town 36011040300 Cayuga Montezuma town 36011040500 Cayuga Moravia town 36011040800 Cayuga Niles town 36011040800 Cayuga Sempronius town 36011040900 Cayuga Sterling town 36011040102 Cayuga Summerhill town 36011040900 Cayuga Throop town 36011040500 Cayuga Victory town 36011040101 Cayuga Cato village 36011040201 Cayuga Cayuga village 36011041202 Cayuga Fair Haven village 36011040102 Cayuga Meridian village 36011040201 Cayuga Moravia village 36011040800 Cayuga Port Byron village 36011040300 Cayuga Weedsport village 36011040400 Cayuga Cortland city 36023970500 Cortland Cortland city 36023970600 Cortland Cortland city 36023970700 Cortland Cortland city 36023970800 Cortland Cortland city 36023970900 Cortland

GEOID COUNTY

Cortlandville town 36023970400 Cortland Harford town 36023971200 Cortland Homer town 36023970300 Cortland Lapeer town 36023971200 Cortland Preble town 36023970201 Cortland Scott town 36023970201 Cortland Virgil town 36023971200 Cortland Homer village 36023970300 Cortland McGraw village 36023970400 Cortland DeRuyter town 36053030800 Madison Fenner town 36053030602 Madison Georgetown town 36053030800 Madison Hamilton town 36053030900 Madison Lebanon town 36053030800 Madison Lenox town 36053030200 Madison Lenox town 36053030300 Madison Lincoln town 36053030602 Madison Nelson town 36053030702 Madison Oneida city 36053030101 Madison Oneida city 36053030102 Madison Oneida city 36053030103 Madison Smithfield town 36053030601 Madison Stockbridge town 36053030601 Madison Sullivan town 36053030401 Madison Sullivan town 36053030402 Madison Sullivan town 36053030403 Madison Sullivan town 36053030404 Madison Canastota village 36053030200 Madison Canastota village 36053030300 Madison Chittenango village 36053030401 Madison Chittenango village 36053030402 Madison DeRuyter village 36053030800 Madison Hamilton village 36053030900 Madison Munnsville village 36053030601 Madison Wampsville village 36053030200 Madison Camillus town 36067012200 Onondaga Camillus town 36067012400 Onondaga Camillus town 36067012500 Onondaga Camillus town 36067012700 Onondaga Cicero town 36067010200 Onondaga

GEOID COUNTY

Cicero town 36067010301 Onondaga Cicero town 36067010600 Onondaga Cicero town 36067010700 Onondaga Clay town 36067010800 Onondaga Clay town 36067010900 Onondaga Clay town 36067011022 Onondaga Clay town 36067011101 Onondaga Clay town 36067011102 Onondaga Clay town 36067011201 Onondaga Clay town 36067011202 Onondaga Clay town 36067011300 Onondaga De Witt town 36067014300 Onondaga De Witt town 36067014400 Onondaga De Witt town 36067014500 Onondaga De Witt town 36067014600 Onondaga Elbridge town 36067012000 Onondaga Geddes town 36067012800 Onondaga Geddes town 36067012900 Onondaga Geddes town 36067013000 Onondaga Geddes town 36067013200 Onondaga LaFayette town 36067940000 Onondaga Lysander town 36067011401 Onondaga Lysander town 36067011500 Onondaga Manlius town 36067015201 Onondaga Onondaga town 36067016200 Onondaga Onondaga town 36067016300 Onondaga Onondaga town 36067940000 Onondaga Salina town 36067013400 Onondaga Salina town 36067013500 Onondaga Salina town 36067013600 Onondaga Salina town 36067013701 Onondaga Salina town 36067013800 Onondaga Salina town 36067013900 Onondaga Salina town 36067014000 Onondaga Salina town 36067014200 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000100 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000200 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000300 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000400 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000501 Onondaga

GEOID COUNTY

Syracuse city 36067000600 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000700 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067000800 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001000 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001400 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001500 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001600 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001701 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001702 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001800 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067001900 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002000 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002101 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002300 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002400 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002700 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067002901 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003000 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003200 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003400 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003500 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003601 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003602 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003800 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067003900 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004200 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004301 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004302 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004401 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004500 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067004900 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005100 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005200 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005300 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005400 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005500 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005700 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005800 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067005900 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067006000 Onondaga

GEOID COUNTY

Syracuse city 36067006101 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067006102 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067006103 Onondaga Syracuse city 36067013200 Onondaga Tully town 36067016901 Onondaga Van Buren town 36067011700 Onondaga Van Buren town 36067011800 Onondaga Baldwinsville village 36067011500 Onondaga Baldwinsville village 36067011700 Onondaga Baldwinsville village 36067011800 Onondaga Camillus village 36067012200 Onondaga East Syracuse village 36067014300 Onondaga Elbridge village 36067012000 Onondaga Jordan village 36067012000 Onondaga Manlius village 36067015201 Onondaga North Syracuse village 36067010700 Onondaga North Syracuse village 36067010800 Onondaga Solvay village 36067012900 Onondaga Solvay village 36067013000 Onondaga Tully village 36067016901 Onondaga Albion town 36075020501 Oswego Albion town 36075020502 Oswego Amboy town 36075020502 Oswego Amboy town 36075020503 Oswego Boylston town 36075020101 Oswego Boylston town 36075020102 Oswego Fulton city 36075021101 Oswego Fulton city 36075021102 Oswego Fulton city 36075021103 Oswego Fulton city 36075021104 Oswego Fulton city 36075021202 Oswego Granby town 36075021201 Oswego Granby town 36075021202 Oswego Granby town 36075021203 Oswego Hannibal town 36075021300 Oswego New Haven town 36075021501 Oswego Orwell town 36075020101 Oswego Orwell town 36075020102 Oswego Oswego city 36075021504 Oswego Oswego city 36075021601 Oswego

GEOID COUNTY

Oswego city 36075021602 Oswego Oswego city 36075021603 Oswego Oswego city 36075021604 Oswego Oswego city 36075021605 Oswego Oswego town 36075021401 Oswego Palermo town 36075020800 Oswego Parish town 36075020501 Oswego Parish town 36075020502 Oswego Parish town 36075020503 Oswego Redfield town 36075020101 Oswego Redfield town 36075020102 Oswego Richland town 36075020301 Oswego Richland town 36075020303 Oswego Richland town 36075020304 Oswego Schroeppel town 36075020901 Oswego Schroeppel town 36075020903 Oswego Scriba town 36075021504 Oswego Volney town 36075021001 Oswego Volney town 36075021002 Oswego Volney town 36075021003 Oswego Williamstown town 36075020101 Oswego Williamstown town 36075020102 Oswego Hannibal village 36075021300 Oswego Parish village 36075020502 Oswego Phoenix village 36075020901 Oswego Pulaski village 36075020301 Oswego Pulaski village 36075020304 Oswego

Attachment A – Response Checklist Please include the following items in your application. Incomplete responses or responses not received before the deadline of August 14, 2026 may not be considered by the CNY RPDB’s selection committee.

___Attachment A: Response checklist

___Attachment B: Certification letter

___Attachment C: Contact Form

___Attachment D: Project Proposal

___Attachment E: Proposed Budget

___Attachment F: Example tree canopy analysis and site assessment planning documents

___Attachment G: Sample marketing and outreach materials

___Attachment H: Certificate of Insurance

Attachment B – Certification Letter The undersigned is the duly authorized representative of the company or entity identified below (the “company”), with full authority to sign this document and to submit this information pursuant to the CNY RPDB’s Request for Proposals (the “RFP”).

I hereby certify:

• The Company is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized. The financial statements are true, correct and complete and fairly present the financial condition of the Company as of their date. Since the date of the most recent financial statements, there has been no material adverse change in the company’s financial condition. All tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction have been duly filed, and all taxes due in respect of the Company have been duly paid.

• The Company has read the RFP, understands it and is familiar with its requirements.

• The information contained in this response, and any correspondence or other documentation relating to this response, are all true, correct, and complete.

• The Company understands and acknowledges that, until a final selection is made under the RFP, the CNY RPDB may enter in discussions with the Company to negotiate the terms of its response in an effort to reach the most favorable arrangement for the relevant community. Moreover, the CNY RPDB reserves the right to (i) to reject any or all responses; (ii) to waive defects or irregularities in any response; (iii) to discontinue discussions at any time and for any reason; (iv) to correct inaccurate awards; (v) to change the timing or sequence of activities related to the CNY Community Forestry Initiative; (vi) to modify, suspend or cancel the CNY Community Forestry Initiative; and (vii) to condition, modify, or otherwise limit the mandate pursuant to the RFP.

By submitting this response, the Company represents and warrants that, if it is selected under this RFP, it will comply with the terms of the RFP and US Forest Service and will perform all of the duties and obligations under this RFP.

Printed Name of Organization

Printed Name of Authorized Representative Title

Signature of Authorized Representative Date

Attachment C – Contact Form Please answer all the questions on this form. Please use as much space as needed. If more room is needed or questions are better answered by separate documents, please attach the document to your response and clearly refer to them in the answer.

Company Name: _______________________________________

Headquarters Address: ___________________________________

Additional Locations: ____________________________________

Company Website: _______________________________________

Service Territory: ________________________________________

Primary Point of Contact: _________________________________

Contact Title: ___________________________________________

Contact Email: __________________________________________

Contact Phone: __________________________________________

Subcontractors Name and Contact Information: __________________________________

Attachment D – Project Proposal

The CNY RPDB requests the following items from all respondents to this RFP:

1. A formal written presentation of qualifications of the consultant team including:

• List of the officers, directors, or partners of the firm

• List and resumes of the project manager and all project team members that will work on this assignment

• List of any professionals not associated with the respondent to be used as sub-consultants on the project, their qualifications, resumes, and contribution to the project

• A description of the consultant’s current level of activity and the resources available to complete this project on schedule

• A description of representative assignments completed by the consultant in the past five years.

particularly those contracts that are relevant to this engagement and completed in Upstate New York

• List of at least five clients served within the past three years who can be contacted as references -including the names of the individuals, addresses, telephone numbers, and email information

• A copy of the most recent brochure for the consultant and any sub-consultant working on the project

2. A formal written proposal and work plan that includes:

• A clear demonstration of the consultant’s understanding of the scope of work outlined in this RFP

• A clear demonstration and statement that the consultant has the necessary staff experience and availability to complete the scope of work in accordance within the project budget and completion date of June 5, 2029

• A clear explanation of the firm’s experience and documentation of success in completing large-scale community tree planning and tree forestry planting programs including those projects completed across large geographic areas and with multiple communities simultaneously

• Evidence of a record of performance by the firm completing such projects professionally, on time, and within the project budget.

• A clear explanation of the approach that will be used by the consultant to complete each phase of this project for 25 communities including:

o canopy analysis, site assessments, planting and management plans, and ordinance template o acquisition, procurement, storage, and planting of 3,600 trees across twenty-five communities over a three-year period, and management/watering over a one-year period o community outreach, education, and engagement o plans for project monitoring, reporting, contract administration, and financial management

• The anticipated timetable, staff hours and assignments, and budget needed for the completion of each phase of the project

• A proposed organizational chart for the project, including the names and titles of all staff that will work on this assignment. Include with the organizational chart, the proposed staffing allocation (including support staff) that will be used to ensure the project tasks are accomplished in a timely manner

• Any other information that the respondent wishes to provide to assist the CNY RPDB in the consultant selection process

3. Supplemental Information -attach at least one example of each of the following:

• A completed canopy analysis

• A completed community site assessment

• A completed community forest planting and management plan

• Examples of community outreach and education materials

Attachment E – Proposed Budget Describe the estimated cost for each component of the scope of work, with breakdowns noted below.

Note that the total budget shall not exceed $5,016,295.05.

1. Total community planning costs:

a) Canopy analyses and site assessment: _________________________________________

c) Community forest planting and management plans: _____________________________

d) Representative Tree Ordinance Template: ______________________________________

2. Total procurement and planting costs for 3,600 trees: ______________________________________

a) Procurement of 3,600 trees (cost of trees): _______________________________________

b) Planting of 3,600 trees (cost of labor): _________________________________________

c) Maintenance costs for 3,600 trees for 1 year: _____________________________________

3. Total community outreach and education costs (staff costs, website, outreach materials, travel):

4. Total reporting and contract administration costs: ________________________________________

5. Additional costs (please explain): ______________________________________________________

Total overall project costs: _______________________________________________________________