Response to Offeror Questions document.pdf

This is a Response to Offeror Questions document related to a South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Request for Proposal concerning procedures and manual development services to support NEPA Assignment application. The solicitation seeks consulting services to support SDDOT's assumption of full NEPA and federal environmental-law compliance responsibility through a two-phase competitive process. The scope of work includes preparing, facilitating, and documenting monthly meetings with the Federal Highway Administration for a minimum of 18 months; developing revised environmental processes and procedures to support NEPA Assignment under 23 USC 327; creating Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes and training programs; conducting stakeholder coordination; and responding to FHWA comments. The Letter of Intent deadline is June 26, 2026, with full proposals from up to three selected firms due July 17, 2026. The anticipated award and contract-negotiation completion date is July 24, 2026. The contract term is expected to be 18 months from execution, with extension possible as necessary. Meetings are anticipated at minimum monthly, averaging three hours in length, with advance preparation required.

The specific contract value is not stated; the total amount will be determined during negotiation against a maximum limiting amount to be confirmed. Cost proposals must itemize estimated hours per task, hourly rates for staff resources, and total project cost, with pricing valid for at least 90 days after submission. The awardee must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence, Professional Liability Insurance of $1 million, Business Automobile Liability Insurance of $1 million per accident, and Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by South Dakota law. Evaluation emphasizes specialized expertise in NEPA Assignment, staff qualifications and direct FHWA experience, resource availability, past performance, project management approach, backup-staff availability, and familiarity with comparable agencies or states. The response to an offeror question clarifies that while organizational change management is not explicitly expanded in the scope, it is expected as an internal consideration, with related support products including the organizational capacity assessment, revised SDDOT environmental procedures and processes, recommended internal procedures and workflows, and training plan process development.