Coastal_Regional_Commission_Brownfield_RFQ.pdf

Serving the Cities and Counties of Coastal Georgia since 1964

1181 Coastal Drive SW, Darien, GA 31305 . Ph:912-437-0800 . www.crc.ga.gov

MEMORANDUM

TO: Qualified Environmental Engineering Firms

FROM: The Coastal Regional Commission

SUBJECT: Qualifications for Brownfield Program Engineering and Consulting Services

DATE: June 24, 2024

Enclosed is a Request for Qualifications from qualified engineering firms interested in working with the Coastal Regional Commission in its effort to prepare and submit a grant application for the Environmental Protection Agency’s FY2025 Brownfield Assessment Grant and to undertake environmental assessment and cleanup consulting as part of a Brownfields Program for the 10-county region of Coastal Georgia.

To be considered, proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m., July 31, 2024, at the Coastal Regional Commission Attn: Aaron Carpenter, 1181 Coastal Drive SW, Darien, Georgia 31305.

An electronic copy of the proposal must be included. The electronic version may be submitted on a flash drive or via email to acarpenter@crc.ga.gov and cc: ksaunds@crc.ga.gov. All mailed or hand-delivered proposals must be sealed and should be clearly labeled. To be considered responsive, both the paper and electronic versions of the proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m., July 31, 2024. Proposals received after the specified date and time will not be considered.

The selected firm will be expected to work with the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) to prepare a grant application for the FY2025 Brownfield Assessment Grant. The selected firm will conduct research, review potential Brownfield properties, and help prepare a grant application to be submitted before the deadline established in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Brownfield Assessment Grant. Payment and funding for all project engineering and consulting work will be contingent on the submission of a successful grant application that results in the award of grant funding to the CRC. Additionally, payment for services rendered will not exceed the administrative allowable amount of the grant as specified in the grant guidelines.

Please direct all questions to Aaron Carpenter, Planning Director, Coastal Regional Commission

(912) 223-9258, acarpenter@crc.ga.gov. Questions should be submitted no later than fifteen (15) calendar days before the deadline.

mailto:acarpenter@crc.ga.gov mailto:ksaunds@crc.ga.gov

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING SERVICES

COASTAL REGIONAL COMMISSION BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

Request for Proposals: Engineering Firm for Coastal Georgia Brownfields Program Development

The Coastal Regional Commission is in the process of securing a FY25 Brownfields Assessment Grant funding to establish a brownfields program for the region. The selected firm will be tasked with the initial technical development and preparation of an application to be submitted on behalf of the Coastal Regional Commission. This application will focus on brownfield properties selected and located within the ten-county region. The resulting contract's validity will hinge upon the award of funding resulting from the submitted application, which must adhere to the specifications outlined in this RFQ. Furthermore, the contract may undergo amendments or extensions to accommodate any future EPA grants, ensuring alignment with their terms and conditions.

Project Title for Identification Purposes: Coastal Regional Commission Brownfields Program

Scope of Work:

1. Grant Preparation and Submission:

a. Develop the grant application with necessary information and support provided by the Coastal Regional Commission.

b. Prepare and submit the grant application in accordance with the deadlines and requirements outlined in the published Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Upon successful award of grant funds, additional activities shall include:

2. Grant Administration: The consultant will assist the Coastal Regional Commission with grant management and will be primarily responsible for implementing the grant project.

3. Property Identification and Inventory: The consultant will be asked to work with the Regional Commission to identify, develop, and refine a catalog of potential Brownfield properties. Included in this work will be the development and implementation of a set of criteria to prioritize the identified properties for evaluation.

4. Site Characterization and Assessment Activities: As part of the work, the consultant will be asked to conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) and Phase II ESAs, if applicable. Included in this task is the development of the following plans:

a. Generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/grants-and-funding https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/grants-and-funding

b. Site-specific Quality Assurance Project Plans (SS-QAPPs),

c. Health and Safety Plans (HASP), and

d. Site investigation reports.

Documents are required to follow applicable state and industry standards including ASTM and All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) standards for property transactional work.

5. Community Involvement Assistance: The consultant will be asked to support the Regional Commission in public involvement and community outreach activities to ensure that the community concerns are considered and addressed in the assessment planning and execution process of the projects. The following activities may be included.

a. Develop a community engagement plan that details a strategy for involving the community in Brownfield activities.

b. Conduct public meetings and hearings to solicit community interest and provide educational information

c. Facilitate a Brownfield working group that will be tasked with reviewing and recommending sites to be assessed

d. Develop and implement effective methods of communicating information about the Brownfield program to the public (website, information sheets, mailings, etc.)

e. Consult with prospective private landowners and developers to encourage participation in the program.

6. Cleanup and Development Planning: The consultant will be asked to complete site-specific cleanup and redevelopment planning documents, including Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA), site remediation work plans, conceptual redevelopment site plans, etc. In addition, the Consultant may be asked to conduct community visioning sessions, charrettes, and/or workshops to solicit input and generate redevelopment options regarding the redevelopment of specific properties. The Consultant may also assist in the negotiation of brownfield agreements with the state regulatory agency.

7. Other Brownfield-Related Duties: Other duties may be required for a successful program but have not been anticipated in this call for services.

Response Format/Evaluation Criteria:

One (1) original and two (2) copies of the statements of qualifications and experience shall be submitted in addition to an electronic copy of the proposal. This may be submitted on a flash drive, CD, or via email to acarpenter@crc.ga.gov and cc: ksaunds@crc.ga.gov.

mailto:acarpenter@crc.ga.gov

The submittal shall include a cover letter, not to exceed two pages and not considered part of the narrative. The proposal narrative shall be no longer than 25 pages and shall include the information outlined below, excluding any required forms. Required forms will not contribute to the referenced page count. To assist with ensuring fair and equitable evaluation, proposals should be organized into the following separate sections:

1. Experience and Capacity: The response shall include a summary of the following:

a. History of the firm’s experience providing Brownfield services as described herein.

b. Brownfields grant programmatic experience/capacity.

c. Description of the firm’s organizational structure and the names and experience of key individuals who will be involved in the successful execution of the grant-funded project.

d. Documented experience working with EPA project officers and State regulatory agencies.

e. Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.

f. Documentation of insurance.

2. References: The response should include at least three (3) references for similar services that have been provided by your firm and the dates of service. Please include the reference name, company, email address, and phone number. Also, include a description of the services provided.

3. Proposed Methodology: A description of how the firm will complete the scope of work described herein. Include a description of the relevant services provided by your firm.

Finally, include a concise statement of why your firm should be selected by the Regional Commission.

4. Fee Schedule: The fees associated with any work contracted for this project shall not exceed the associated administrative fee amount recommended in the notice of funding.

Important Note: All activities must adhere strictly to applicable federal and state regulations.

Selection Criteria:

The responding firms will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Experience and ability to complete the work (25%)

• Demonstrated Brownfields experience including successful grant writing and administration along with a demonstrated ability to work with EPA and State Agencies (25%)

• Approach and understanding of the scope of work (15%)

• Quality of performance on similar projects (15%)

• Proven track record of community engagement (10%)

• Environmental assessment experience (10%)

The Regional Commission may request follow-up interviews with respondents. The request for an interview shall in no way constitute acceptance or imply that an agreement is pending. The Regional Commission also reserves the right to award this opportunity based on the initial RFQ response without follow-up interviews. The Regional Commission will only select one firm under this request for qualifications. Successful respondents should be notified no later than August 8, 2024.

Submission Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2024. Please send both a sealed hard copy and an electronic version to:

Coastal Regional Commission Attn: Aaron Carpenter, Director of Planning 1181 Coastal Drive SW Darien, Georgia 31305

Electronic submissions can be sent to acarpenter@crc.ga.gov, with a copy to ksaunds@crc.ga.gov. Late submissions will not be considered.

Contact Information: For inquiries and coordination, please contact:

Aaron Carpenter Director of Planning Coastal Regional Commission Phone: (912) 223-9258 Email: acarpenter@crc.ga.gov

Disclaimer: The Coastal Regional Commission reserves the right to reject any and all responses and to make an award that is in their best interest. Firms not selected will be notified in writing.

The Coastal Regional Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.