Request_for_Proposals_for_EA.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking proposals from qualified firms for preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the effects associated with actions proposed by the Texas Chenier Plain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex Fire Program on the natural and human environments.

Background Information:

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Complex were completed in May of 2008. It is the intent of Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex Fire Staff to review and if necessary, update specific fire management subjects in the Complex’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation and the management strategies that they promote as pertaining to fire management and ecology. Specific topics to be addressed are:

• Conducting prescribed burns larger than 4,500 acres as limited by the categorical exclusion

(43 CFR 46.210).

• Maintaining established firebreaks and creating new firebreaks in efforts to aid with the conduction of prescribed burns and the containment of wildfires.

• The operation of manned and unmanned aircraft.

• The use of Class A foam in fire containment efforts.

• Annual prescribed fire acreage objectives.

• The seasonality associated with the conduction of prescribed fires.

• Address the Wildfire for Resource Benefit management strategy and how it will be used on the Complex.

Scope of Work:

The selected firm will prepare an EA and complete all paperwork and permits that complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1509) and Department of the Interior (43 CFR 46; 516 DM 8) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (550 FW 3) regulations and policies.

The EA will discuss the purpose and need for potential changes, describe the proposed action(s) and mitigation measures that will be implemented to minimize impacts, evaluate alternatives to the proposed action(s), and provide analyses of the environmental impacts that could be expected from the action(s)/alternatives. EA will need to cover the above list of topics that need to be addressed.

Selected firm will be responsible for developing and completing all other aspects of the EA by no later than November 30, 2022. Selected firm will work closely with the Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex Fire Program throughout the development of the EA to help ensure that actions/alternatives are accurately described, and environmental consequences adequately addressed within the document.

The USFWS will provide the following information to the selected firm:

• A template showing the format preferred by USFWS for the EA

• FWS will work closely with selected firm to describe the proposed actions and any alternatives to those actions

Recommended Evaluation Criteria for Best Value Determination:

Evaluation of the proposals will be under the complete jurisdiction of the USFWS. It is the intent of this Request that all services be provided complete in all respects without need for USFWS to engage separate technical expertise or professional services. Upon receipt of the responses, USFWS will evaluate all materials submitted by responding firms and rank the proposals in order of qualifications by virtue of technical competence, general background experience, availability, etc.

USFWS will focus on the following factors in reviewing the responses:

1. Qualifications, experience, and expertise in the Texas or Louisiana Gulf Coast of the firm and depth of key personnel. 40%

2. Specialized knowledge and experience providing NEPA documentation for similar projects or for projects in similar habitat. 35%

3. Capacity of the firm to complete the work in a timely manner. 25%

Response Preparation and Submission Instructions:

Information submitted with your response should include and address the following items:

1. Firm name, address, and contact information.

2. Names, qualifications, and related experience of the firm’s key personnel and any subcontractors that would be involved in the performance of the Contract. The firm may include any management information which it feels is pertinent, such as historical background of the company, biographical sketches of key personnel to be assigned to the work, etc.

3. A detailed description of past work involving similar or related projects.

4. Estimated timeframe for completing the scope of work.

5. Estimated cost for completing the scope of work.

6. Any assumptions made during the development of timeframes and costs.