Ogdensburg_LWRP_RFP.pdf

CITY OF OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK

330 Ford Street — Ogdensburg, New York 13669

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Professional Planning Consultant Services

City of Ogdensburg Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Amendment including an integrated Harbor Management Plan Update

Issued by:

City of Ogdensburg, New York

Office of the City Manager

Issue Date: September 1, 2026 Proposals Due: October 29, 2026 at 2pm

NYS Department of State Contract No. C1003640 | CFA No. 150791 Funded under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund

MWBE Participation Goal: 15% MBE / 15% WBE (30% Combined) SDVOB Participation Goal: 6%

The City of Ogdensburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Notice of Request for Proposals The City of Ogdensburg, New York is soliciting proposals from qualified planning consultants and consulting teams to prepare an amendment to the City's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and an integrated update to its Harbor Management Plan (HMP), incorporating comprehensive land use, community facilities, and housing planning principles, with economic and community development as a central, secondary focus of the plan. This project is funded through a $250,000 grant awarded by the New York State Department of State (DOS) under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund (Contract No.

C1003640; CFA No. 150791).

Complete proposals must be received no later than 2pm on October 29, 2026 at the address listed in Section 11 (Submission Instructions) of this RFP. The full RFP document is available from the City at https://www.ogdensburgny.gov/bids.aspx.

The City of Ogdensburg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any informality in the proposal process.

1. Introduction and Background The City of Ogdensburg ("the City") is requesting proposals from qualified individuals, firms, and consulting teams to assist in preparing an amendment to its 1987 Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and an integrated update to its Harbor Management Plan (HMP). The LWRP Amendment will address emerging issues and needs within the City's waterfront area along the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers, incorporate updated zoning and sustainability regulations, and identify projects to create a vibrant waterfront, improve connectivity, and promote the economic revitalization of Ogdensburg's waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods.

The City previously issued an RFP for this work in 2011. That effort was not completed, and portions of the LWRP Amendment remain outstanding. This RFP supersedes the 2011 solicitation and reflects the City's current priorities, available data, and grant work plan requirements.

The City's waterfront and inland areas carry a legacy of heavy industrial use and environmental contamination, and the City has since undertaken substantial brownfield redevelopment, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure planning. This LWRP Amendment is intended to build on that foundation and to serve, in part, as a vehicle for comprehensive planning: proposals should address land use, community facilities, and housing considerations within the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) as an integrated part of the required LWRP sections, rather than as a separate planning document.

Consistent with the City's priorities, economic and community development shall be treated as a secondary focus threaded throughout the LWRP Amendment and this RFP — from the inventory and analysis of existing conditions, through policy development, to proposed projects and implementation techniques. Respondents should demonstrate a clear ability to connect waterfront revitalization planning to tangible economic and community development outcomes for the City.

2. Project Funding and Regulatory Authority https://www.ogdensburgny.gov/bids.aspx

This project is funded by a $250,000 grant awarded to the City by the New York State Department of State (DOS) under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (Contract No. C1003640; CFA No. 150791). The LWRP Amendment must be prepared pursuant to New York State Executive Law, Article 42, and 19 NYCRR Parts 600–603, and the Harbor Management Plan component must be prepared in accordance with 19 NYCRR Part 603.3.

The completed LWRP Amendment must be locally adopted and approved by the Secretary of State and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management.

Accordingly, the LWRP Amendment must be comprehensive, address all issues affecting the community's waterfront, include all sections and content required by DOS, and be clearly written. Draft sections will be submitted sequentially to DOS for review and comment throughout the project.

All final and public-facing materials produced under this contract must acknowledge DOS funding and include the following statement: “This [document, report, map, etc.] was prepared with funding provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.” All final products must also display the Department of State logo, which will be provided by the City.

3. Purpose and Objectives The selected Consultant will lead the technical preparation of the LWRP Amendment and integrated HMP update on behalf of the City, working closely with City staff, the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC), and the public. The objectives of this engagement are to:

• Prepare a complete LWRP Amendment meeting all requirements of 19 NYCRR Parts 600–603 and DOS guidance, suitable for approval by the Secretary of State and NOAA.

• Incorporate comprehensive planning principles — including land use, community facilities, and housing — directly into the relevant LWRP sections (particularly the Inventory and Analysis, Policies, and Proposed Land and Water Uses sections), so that the LWRP functions, within the Waterfront Revitalization Area, as the City's primary land use planning document for that area.

• Advance economic and community development as a secondary focus woven throughout the plan, including market-informed proposed projects, redevelopment strategies for strategic sites, and implementation techniques that support local investment and community benefit.

• Prepare an integrated Harbor Management Plan addressing conflict, congestion, and competition for space in the use of the City's harbor, surface waters, and underwater lands.

• Meaningfully engage the public, the WAC, and local, state, and federal agencies throughout the planning process.

• Deliver a complete, DOS-ready LWRP Amendment package, including all required maps, appendices, model local laws, and SEQRA documentation.

4. Scope of Services

The Consultant shall complete all tasks and products described below. Tasks generally correspond to the sections required by DOS for the LWRP Amendment (19 NYCRR Parts 600–603) and to the City's Work Plan under Contract No. C1003640. Respondents may propose modifications, efficiencies, or additions to this Scope of Services where they believe doing so would add value, provided all required DOS sections and products are addressed.

Throughout each task, and in particular in the Inventory and Analysis, Policies, and Proposed Land and Water Uses tasks, the Consultant shall integrate comprehensive planning considerations — existing and future land use, community facilities, and housing conditions and needs — and shall identify economic and community development implications and opportunities. All draft sections shall be submitted to the City and to DOS for review and comment, and DOS comments shall be addressed in the subsequent submitted version.

Task 1: Project Kickoff and Work Plan Refinement The Consultant shall meet with City staff and DOS to review and confirm the project scope, schedule, roles and responsibilities, and prior work completed toward the LWRP Amendment, including the status of the City's 1987 LWRP, the incomplete 2011–era effort, and any available draft sections, GIS data, brownfield opportunity area (BOA) work, or comprehensive plan materials the City can provide. The Consultant shall prepare a refined project schedule and work plan for City and DOS approval before proceeding to subsequent tasks.

Products: Kickoff meeting summary. Refined project schedule and work plan approved by the City and DOS.

Task 2: Waterfront Advisory Committee Support The City will establish a Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) to guide development of the LWRP Amendment and coordinate public outreach. The Consultant shall prepare materials for and attend WAC meetings held at key milestones throughout the project (at minimum, following completion of each major LWRP section), present findings and draft content, and incorporate WAC feedback into subsequent drafts.

The Consultant shall prepare a written summary of each WAC meeting, including attendees, topics discussed, decisions reached, and action items.

Products: Meeting materials, presentations, and written summaries for each Waterfront Advisory Committee meeting.

Task 3: Community Outreach Plan and Public Engagement The Consultant shall prepare a Community Outreach Plan describing the methods and process for encouraging community participation throughout the LWRP planning process, including key individuals, organizations, and entities to involve; the visioning process; roles and responsibilities; logistics; and a proposed schedule of public meetings and other engagement activities (workshops, charrettes, surveys, social media, etc.). The plan shall specifically address strategies to reach community members who are frequently underrepresented in municipal planning processes, including lower-income residents, youth, immigrants, English-language learners, and minorities, and shall ensure meetings and materials are ADA accessible.

At minimum, the Consultant shall plan for and conduct three public meetings: (1) following completion of the draft Waterfront Revitalization Area boundary and Inventory and Analysis, to solicit input on the WRA boundary and existing conditions and to inform the LWRP vision, goals, and objectives; (2) to inform the public about proposed land and water uses, proposed projects, and necessary local laws, and to solicit input; and (3) in conjunction with the 60-Day Review of the Draft LWRP and SEQRA compliance. Additional outreach beyond these three meetings is encouraged, particularly outreach connecting waterfront planning to economic and community development priorities (e.g., business and property owner engagement, workforce and housing input).

The Consultant shall prepare all meeting advertisements, presentation materials, and handouts for City and DOS review and approval prior to each meeting, and shall prepare a written summary of each meeting following its conclusion.

Products: Draft and final Community Outreach Plan. Minimum of three public meetings held, with advertisements, materials, and written summaries for each.

Task 4: Review of Existing Plans and Background Data The Consultant shall review the City's 1987 LWRP, relevant prior planning efforts (including brownfield assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment planning; the City's Brownfield Opportunity Area work;

downtown and neighborhood revitalization plans; hazard mitigation and resiliency plans; housing plans;

and any available comprehensive plan materials), and any partially completed sections from the 2011 effort. The Consultant shall meet with City staff, the WAC, and local leaders as needed to understand current priorities and confirm which background materials remain applicable.

Products: Summary memorandum of relevant background plans, data, and documents reviewed, and their relevance to the LWRP Amendment.

Task 5: Section I — Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary The Consultant shall prepare a detailed narrative description and map of the proposed Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA), including the State's coastal area and any designated inland waterways within the City, and the waterside extent that establishes the Harbor Management Area (HMA) boundary. If an expansion of the existing coastal boundary is proposed, the Consultant shall provide clear, justifiable reasons for the expansion (the existing coastal boundary may not be reduced). The narrative shall include the size, in acres or square miles, of the existing and proposed WRA, and GIS boundary data suitable for DOS's Geographic Information Gateway.

Products: Draft and final Section I, including WRA/HMA boundary map, GIS shapefile, and supporting municipal boundary documentation, in MS Word and PDF formats.

Task 6: Section II — Inventory and Analysis

The Consultant shall prepare the narrative, maps, and other illustrations for Section II, providing a thorough inventory of existing upland, waterside/harbor management area, and underwater land uses and resources, and an analysis of conditions, issues, opportunities, and constraints affecting economic development and resource protection within the WRA, including vulnerability to storms, flooding, and climate change. Consistent with the comprehensive planning focus of this project, the Community Profile and Existing Land and Water Uses subsections shall address land use patterns, community facilities (e.g., parks, schools, public buildings, utilities), and housing conditions and needs within and adjacent to the WRA at a level of detail sufficient to inform both the LWRP and general municipal land use planning.

Consistent with the project's economic and community development focus, this section shall also characterize local economic conditions, employment, commercial districts, and redevelopment potential of strategic sites within the WRA.

At minimum this section shall address: a summary of existing plans, projects, and initiatives affecting the WRA; a community profile; existing land and water uses and public access; natural resources; flooding and erosion risk and resiliency; historic and cultural resources; the harbor management area inventory; and the existing authorities of federal, state, regional, and local agencies with jurisdiction in the WRA.

Products: Draft and final Section II — Inventory and Analysis, in MS Word format, including maps.

Task 7: Section III — Local Waterfront Revitalization Policies DOS will provide the State coastal policy statements, standards, and explanations to be included verbatim.

The Consultant shall draft local standards and guidelines following each state policy explanation where appropriate, supported by the Inventory and Analysis and local laws, to describe how each policy applies within the WRA. Policy explanations should reflect the plan's comprehensive planning and economic/community development emphasis where relevant (e.g., linking developed coast and public/working coast policies to land use, housing, and economic development goals identified in Section II), without diminishing any State policy.

Products: Draft and final Section III — Local Waterfront Revitalization Policies, with track changes to the DOS-provided template, in MS Word format.

Task 8: Section IV — Proposed Land and Water Uses, Proposed Projects, and Harbor Management Plan The Consultant shall describe and map proposed land and water uses within the WRA, giving particular attention to the existing and future needs of water-dependent, water-related recreational, and port-related uses, and shall develop the integrated Harbor Management Plan addressing conflict, congestion, and competition for space in the use of the City's harbors, surface waters, and underwater lands.

The Consultant shall identify and profile proposed short- and long-term projects within the WRA that implement the LWRP policies and reflect the community's needs and risk assessment findings, with particular emphasis on projects that advance economic and community development outcomes (e.g., public coastal access and recreation, catalytic redevelopment of strategic sites, mixed-use neighborhood revitalization, and market-supported development scenarios). This section shall include, at minimum: an introduction summarizing major initiatives; a summary table of all proposed projects; detailed project profiles for priority, near-term-feasible projects; and a map of project locations. Where warranted by strategic sites identified in Section II, the Consultant shall prepare opportunities-and-constraints analyses and conceptual development scenarios to support proposed projects.

Products: Draft and final Section IV, including the integrated Harbor Management Plan, project summary table, priority project profiles, and maps, in MS Word format, with maps also provided as high-resolution PDFs.

Task 9: Section V — Techniques for Local Implementation of the Program The Consultant shall review existing local land use laws and regulations (zoning, subdivision review, site plan review, design standards, historic preservation, stormwater management, flood damage prevention, etc.) against the LWRP policies and proposed uses, and shall prepare a matrix identifying the local laws implementing each LWRP policy. The Consultant shall identify and draft any new or amended local laws necessary to implement the LWRP — including an updated local Waterfront Consistency Review Law using the DOS template — and shall describe the local management structure and financial resources needed for implementation. Given the project's comprehensive planning and economic development focus, this section shall specifically address any zoning or land use control amendments needed to support the housing, community facility, and economic development outcomes identified elsewhere in the plan.

Products: Draft and final Section V, including the draft local Waterfront Consistency Review Law and any other new or amended local laws, in MS Word format.

Task 10: Section VI — State and Federal Actions and Programs DOS will provide the approved list of State and federal agency actions and programs (Sections VI.1 and VI.2) to be inserted by the Consultant. The Consultant shall prepare Section VI.3, listing specific federal and State actions, programs, technical assistance, or procedural changes necessary to further implement the LWRP.

Products: Section VI complete, with DOS-provided lists inserted and Section VI.3 prepared by the Consultant.

Task 11: Section VII — Local Commitment and Consultation The Consultant shall document the public consultation efforts undertaken in preparing the LWRP Amendment, including WAC meetings, public hearings, informational meetings, and agency consultations, along with any additional local committees or municipal agency roles in the process.

Products: Draft and final Section VII, in MS Word format.

Task 12: Appendices The Consultant shall assemble all required appendices, including, at minimum, the draft local LWRP Consistency Review Law (Appendix A) and other supporting materials such as draft or existing local laws, DOS notification and review guidelines, documentation of underwater land grants, descriptions of significant habitats or scenic areas (if present), relevant excerpts of other planning documents, and the

Harbor Management Plan element table (if not fully integrated into Section IV). Appendix content and sequence shall be confirmed with the City and DOS.

Products: Draft and final Appendices.

Task 13: Preliminary Draft LWRP Assembly The Consultant shall assemble all sections, maps, and appendices — incorporating all DOS comments received to date — into a complete Preliminary Draft LWRP, including cover page and table of contents, for submission to DOS in MS Word format, with maps also provided as individual high-resolution PDFs (20 MB maximum each) and GIS data/shapefiles for the WRA boundary.

Products: Complete Preliminary Draft LWRP in MS Word and PDF formats, with supporting GIS data.

Task 14: SEQRA Compliance Upon completion of the Draft LWRP, the Consultant shall prepare a Full Environmental Assessment Form and assist the City, as Lead Agency, in making a Determination of Significance under SEQRA (6 NYCRR Part 617). If a Positive Declaration results, the Consultant shall prepare a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement. The Consultant shall assist with publication of the SEQRA determination in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and shall support any public hearing on the Determination of Significance.

Products: Completed Full Environmental Assessment Form, SEQRA determination documentation (and Draft Generic EIS, if required), and documentation of publication in the Environmental Notice Bulletin.

Task 15: 60-Day Review Draft and Final LWRP Following City resolution accepting the Draft LWRP as complete, the Consultant shall support submission of the Draft LWRP to DOS for the 60-day agency and public review. Following that review, the Consultant shall meet with the City and DOS to review comments received, determine appropriate responses, and revise the LWRP — including any supporting local laws and the Final Environmental Impact Statement, if applicable — to DOS's satisfaction. The Consultant shall prepare a schedule for local adoption of the Final LWRP and associated local laws.

Products: Final LWRP in MS Word and PDF formats (including supporting local laws and Final EIS, if applicable), GIS data, and adoption schedule.

5. Deliverable Format Requirements Unless otherwise agreed with the City and DOS, the Consultant must submit all products in the following formats:

• Draft products: one digital copy of each product in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.

• Final products: one electronic copy of each product in Microsoft Word and PDF (20 MB maximum per PDF); one paper copy of each final product upon request.

• GIS-based mapping products and associated spatial data: ArcGIS format (or a similar format acceptable to DOS), with formal metadata including file summary/abstract, intended use, source data, and author information.

• Designs, drawings, and plans: original software format (e.g., CAD) as well as JPG.

• Photographs and images: JPG format, minimum 300 dpi resolution, dated and captioned with location, description, and GPS metadata where available.

6. Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Requirements This contract is subject to New York State MWBE and SVDOB participation requirements (30% and 6% respectively). The City must actively solicit proposals from qualified NYS-certified MWBEs identified through the NYS Directory of Certified Firms (https://ny.newnycontracts.com/), and must retain documentation of these efforts.

Respondents proposing to use subcontractors are strongly encouraged to demonstrate good-faith efforts to engage NYS-certified MWBE/SVDOB firms, and should describe in their proposal how the proposed team maximizes opportunities for MWBE/SVDOB participation. The selected Consultant will be required to submit Form D (MWBE Utilization Plan) identifying any state-certified MWBE/SVDOB firms on the project team, to update Form D whenever the MWBE subcontractor roster changes, and to record payments to MWBE/SVDOB E subcontractors through the New York State Contract System (NYSCS).

7. Environmental Review This project is subject to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), 6 NYCRR Part 617. The Consultant's responsibilities with respect to SEQRA compliance are described in Task 14 of Section 4 (Scope of Services).

8. Term of Contract and Schedule The contract resulting from this RFP shall commence upon execution of a professional services agreement with the City and shall continue for a term of no more that five (5) years from the date of contract execution, consistent with the schedule established under NYS DOS Contract No. C1003640. All tasks described in Section 4 (Scope of Services) must be completed within this timeframe, subject to DOS review timelines, which are outside the Consultant's control. Respondents shall propose a detailed project schedule, including estimated completion dates for each task, reflecting the sequential, DOS-reviewed nature of LWRP section submittals.

9. Available Funding and Budget The Consultant's contract shall not exceed $250,000, reflecting funds the City has determined are available for consultant services after accounting for City administrative and other project costs charged to the grant.

Respondents shall submit an itemized, task-based budget corresponding to the tasks in Section 4, including a lump-sum price for the entire scope of work. For each individual assigned to the project, the budget shall identify the person's name and title, hourly rate, and estimated hours. Administrative costs and related expenses must be itemized. An itemized budget must also be provided for any subconsultant.

Travel and incidental expenses will not be separately reimbursed and should be included in the proposed task fees.

10. Proposal Content Requirements Proposals must include the following elements, in the order listed:

• Cover Letter and Contact Information — name, address, phone number, and email address of the firm's lead contact for this proposal.

• Understanding of the Project and Approach — a narrative demonstrating the respondent's understanding of the LWRP/HMP process, the comprehensive planning integration and economic/community development focus described in this RFP, and the approach to completing the Scope of Services in Section 4. Proposed additions or modifications to the Scope of Services may be included if the respondent believes they would add significant value.

• Relevant Experience — a list of at least three comparable projects completed within the last seven years, demonstrating experience with LWRPs, Harbor Management Plans, comprehensive planning, and economic/community development planning. Each entry shall include full client contact information and a brief (one-page maximum) project description.

• Team Composition and Qualifications — identification of all key staff and subconsultants, their roles, and relevant qualifications, including a resume for the proposed project manager, and a description of MWBE participation, if any (see Section 6).

• Project Schedule — a detailed schedule with estimated completion dates for each task in Section 4, assuming work is to start in Q1 of 2027.

• Budget — an itemized, task-based budget as described in Section 9. MWBE and SDVOB must be clearly addressed within the budget scope and meet the requirements set forth in this document.

• References — contact information for at least three professional references familiar with the firm's recent, comparable work.

Proposals shall not exceed 30 pages, excluding resumes, budget tables, and required forms. Incomplete proposals that do not address the elements above may not be considered.

11. Submission Instructions Respondents shall submit one signed original, five paper copies, and one digital copy (PDF) of their proposal in a sealed envelope clearly marked “City of Ogdensburg LWRP/HMP Amendment Proposal” to:

Deb Langley, Technical Specialist City of Ogdensburg

330 Ford Street City Hall, Room 5 Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Proposals must be received no later than 2pm on October 29, 2026, by hand delivery or U.S. mail. No late, faxed, or emailed submissions will be accepted. All materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the City and will not be returned.

12. RFP Submission Schedule The following schedule outlines the procurement process for this RFP. Consultants shall present a schedule of execution no later than the first meeting with the City.

13. Proposal Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process City staff and the Waterfront Advisory Committee (or, prior to its formal establishment, the City's designated review team) will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the project, including the LWRP/HMP regulatory framework and the City's comprehensive planning and economic/community development priorities;

• Quality and creativity of the proposed approach to integrating land use, community facility, and housing considerations within the LWRP, and to advancing economic and community development outcomes;

• Relevant experience with LWRPs, Harbor Management Plans, and comparable coastal, comprehensive, or economic development planning projects;

• Experience working with communities comparable to Ogdensburg;

• Qualifications and capacity of the proposed project team;

• Completeness of the proposal;

• Ability to complete the project within the required timeframe; and

Milestone Anticipated Timeframe

RFP Issued by City September 1, 2026

Questions Submissions to City September 18, 2026

City Addendum Answering Questions September 25, 2026

Proposals Due 2pm on October 29, 2026

RFP Evaluation Process November 1, 2026 – January 10, 2027

Contract Negotiation & Award by Council On or Around January 11, 2027

Notice to Proceed January 12, 2027

First Meeting with City No Later Than January 29, 2027

• Proposed cost & MWBE/SDVOB considerations.

Respondents submitting the highest-scoring proposals may be invited to present to the Waterfront Advisory Committee and/or City staff; the format of any such presentation will be at the City's discretion.

The City of Ogdensburg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any informality in the proposal or selection process.

14. General Conditions Responsibility for the Proposal Respondents must carefully examine this RFP and judge for themselves all circumstances affecting their proposal. Failure to do so will not justify a claim that the respondent misunderstood the RFP's terms. The City is not liable for any costs associated with the preparation, transmittal, or presentation of proposals.

Oversight and Management Oversight and management of the resulting consultant agreement will be exercised by the City Manager's Office, in coordination with DOS as required under Contract No. C1003640.

Inquiries All inquiries concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing to the contact identified in Section 11.

During the consultant selection process, prospective respondents should contact only that individual. Oral communications will not take precedence over written communications, and only written Addenda issued by the City will be binding on this RFP.

Non-Collusion Each respondent must submit an affidavit of non-collusion, signed by an officer of the firm, with its proposal.

Compliance with Procurement Requirements This procurement will be conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of General Municipal Law.

The City's Municipal Attorney, chief legal officer, or financial administrator will certify in writing to DOS that these requirements have been met.

Reservation of Rights THE CITY OF OGDENSBURG RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL PROPOSALS, TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITY IN THE PROPOSAL PROCESS, AND TO NEGOTIATE WITH ANY RESPONDENT AS THE CITY

DEEMS TO BE IN ITS BEST INTEREST.