DEP.BWR.RFQ.2023.WETO1.PRF77.CATA3.D4.REOPENED.QnA.doc.4.21.23.docx

Maura T. Healey Governor

Kimberley Driscoll Lieutenant Governor

Rebecca L. Tepper Secretary

Bonnie Heiple Commissioner

MassDEP’s Wetlands Program Official Answers to Questions Regarding the April 5th, 2023 No Net Loss of Carbon, Open Market Bid BD-23-1045-BWR00-BWR01-83149, BWR- RFQ-2023-WET01 Request for Quotes (RFQ)

On April 5th, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”) Wetlands Program posted the No Net Loss of Carbon (PRF-77) Request for Quotes (“RFQ”).

Below are MassDEP’ official answers to all questions received by April 14, 2023, deadline.

All questions are formatted in bold font and answers are posted below in normal italicized font.

Question 1 (“Q1”): Please confirm that the proposal is due on April 28 and not on April 24.

Answer 1 (“A1”): Proposals are due by May 5, 2023. (see Response to Question 4).

Question 2 (“Q2”): Please clarify for Tasks 2, 3, and 4 whether or not a PowerPoint Summary is due with both the Draft and Final Reports, or just with the Final Report.

Answer 2 (“A2”): A Draft PowerPoint Summary must be submitted with the DRAFT Report, and a Final PowerPoint Summary must be submitted with the Final Report.

Question 3 (“Q3”): For Task #3, please clarify the parameters (i.e., timeframe for projects being reviewed and what type of project refers to) for the requested Summary of the number and type of projects within wetlands and the 50-foot and 50 to 100-foot buffer zones? Will MassDEP provide a database for use in this task? If not, what database does MassDEP intend the consultant to use for the research? Is MassDEP looking for a count of all projects and their area of impact, categorized by type of project, or is an estimate acceptable?

Answer 3 (“A3”): Regarding the timeframe for projects being reviewed and type of project, MassDEP suggests that the selected contractor look at a three-year sampling of projects – say 2020-2022 - from a random sampling of towns. MassDEP may be able to provide limited information from its database about which projects are in the buffer zone, but may not be able to provide the distance (is it 50 feet from the wetland? 75?). The information on distance may have to be obtained from the Conservation Commissions. A count of all projects, type and area of impact would be useful if available. An estimate may be acceptable depending upon what it is based on.

Question 4 (“Q4”): Can the RFP deadline please be extended to May 12?

Answer 4 (“A4”): Given the short time frame to the end of the 2023 Fiscal Year, we are only able to extend the Deadline for Bids Due to May 5th, 2023; the Bidder Notification to May 12th, 2023; and the Estimated Contract Start Date to May 19th.

Question 5 (“Q5”): The deliverable for Task 3 includes a draft proposal for policies and/or regulation changes defined within 310 CMR 10.00 and 314 CMR 9.00. This is a potential conflict for consultants that design and permit projects for clients that adhere to those regulations. Would MassDEP consider removing this from the scope of work?

Answer 5 (A5): Regarding Task 3, MassDEP does not believe this constitutes a conflict as those policies and regulations legally in effect at the time of the filing of a Notice of Intent (310 CMR 10.00) or Water Quality Certification (314 CMR 9.00) must be adhered to. Additionally, any amendments to regulations that MassDEP may consider will be subject to public review, public hearing, and public comment, prior to promulgation. However, in response to this comment, MassDEP hereby amends Task 3, bullet three as follows:

· A draft proposal for policies and/or regulation changes defined within strategies relating to 310 CMR 10.00 and 314 CMR 9.00;

Question 6 (“Q6”): How flexible are the fiscal year budget estimates? The RFP states “All associated work activities must be completed by June 30, 2024.” The estimated budget for this project is $400,000 ($199,100 for Fiscal Year 2023 and $200,100 for Fiscal Year 2024). The updated timeline states “Estimated Contract Execution / Work Start for May 12, 2023. Given the anticipated work start (without an extension), this would mean that the selected consultant would need to complete roughly half of the project in 7 weeks and the second half of the project in 52 weeks.

Answer 6 (“A6”): We anticipate providing flexibility in the Task completions given the time frame remaining in Fiscal Year 2023. However, that flexibility is contingent upon the successful bidder submitting a realistic schedule with as many Tasks as possible to be completed by June 30, 2023 and all remaining Tasks to be completed by June 30, 2024. The scope defines certain timeframes to give an idea of expectations.

Question 7 (“Q7”): Are stakeholder engagement activities expected in the scope of work?

Answer 7(“Q7”): No, we do not expect the successful bidder to conduct stakeholder engagement activities.

Question 8 (Q8”): Item 3.3 states “In addition to providing a narrative response to the qualification requirements of Section 3.2 above, the Bidder’s Proposal sections for bullet items 1-4, below, shall be limited to six (6) pages total in length (single-spaced, 8-1/2” by 11” sheet with 0.5” margins)? Can you please clarify if the narrative response is included or excluded within the 6-page limit?

Answer 8 (“A8”): The Proposal including the Narrative is limited to six (6) pages. However, Attachments to the six page Proposal may be submitted (see Item 3.3 Paragraph 5), such as the qualifications and/or project/technical approach and capabilities of the Bidder: maps, reports or links to reports, drawings, designs, photographs, resumes of key staff, and examples of similar projects.

This information is available in alternate format. Please contact Melixza Esenyie at 617-626-1282.

TTY# MassRelay Service 1-800-439-2370 MassDEP Website: www.mass.gov/dep

Printed on Recycled Paper image1.png image2.png image3.png