RFP_Historical_Archaeological_and_Architectural_Consulting FINAL.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC

ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTING SERVICES BY THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE, PEA AND YELLOW RIVERS

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR ELBA

HYDROELECTRIC DAM REMOVAL AND RIVER RESTORATION

THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE, PEA AND YELLOW RIVERS WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

(CPYRWMA), established under the laws of the State of Alabama to support watershed management, flood risk reduction, water quality protection, and natural resource conservation across the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow River basins is soliciting proposals from experienced firms or individuals to provide Historical Archaeological and Historic Architectural Consulting

Services for the Elba Hydroelectric Dam (EHD) Removal and River Restoration Project in Coffee

County, Alabama. This project is funded in whole or in part through grants from the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(USFWS). All work must comply with applicable state and federal regulations, including 2 CFR

200 Part 184 – Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This project supports federal, state, and local priorities related to flood resilience, watershed planning, data collection, monitoring, restoration, and/or decision-support tools.

Project Background:

The Elba Hydroelectric Dam is a former run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility located on the Pea

River near Elba, Alabama. Constructed in 1922, the dam has been inactive for many years and is proposed for removal to restore aquatic connectivity, improve fish passage, enhance habitat for federally listed aquatic species, reduce flood risks, and restore natural river and floodplain processes.

The project area includes existing dam infrastructure, spillway components, powerhouse and forebay areas, river channel restoration areas, streambanks, access areas, and associated disturbed areas requiring stabilization and restoration. The project may involve work occurring on both publicly and privately owned property. The project is intended to restore approximately one mile of river connectivity while improving aquatic habitat, restoring natural sediment transport, and enhancing ecosystem function within the Pea River.

The project is funded through federal financial assistance and is subject to applicable federal environmental compliance requirements, including Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800).

Accordingly, the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority

(CPYRWMA) is seeking qualified consultants to provide professional archaeological and historic architectural services to identify, evaluate, and document cultural and historic resources within the project's Area of Potential Effects (APE), assess potential project impacts, and support consultation with the Alabama State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Tribal Nations, and other consulting parties, as required. The selected consultant will assist CPYRWMA in ensuring full compliance with all applicable federal and state historic preservation requirements prior to project implementation.

PURPOSE of the RFP:

The Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority (CPYRWMA) is requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide professional historical archaeology and historic architecture services associated with the Elba Dam Removal and River

Restoration Project located in Coffee County, Alabama.

The project is funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is subject to all applicable federal and State of Alabama procurement requirements.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The CPYRWMA is seeking qualified consultants to provide professional historic preservation services necessary to support compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation

Act for the Elba Hydroelectric Dam Removal and River Restoration Project. The selected consultant shall furnish all personnel, equipment, materials, transportation, and incidentals necessary to complete the services described below.

The consultant shall perform all work in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act

(NHPA), 36 CFR Part 800, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for

Archaeology and Historic Preservation, applicable Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

(ACHP) guidance, Alabama State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requirements, NOAA and

USFWS grant requirements, and all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance.

Task may include but are not limited to:

• Project Coordination

• Historic Architectural Survey and Evaluation o identify, evaluate, and document historic architectural resources within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's

Standards

• Archaeological Investigations o conduct archaeological investigations necessary to identify and evaluate archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed undertaking

• Section 106 Compliance Support o Delineation of the Area of Potential Effects (APE) o Identification of Historic Properties o National Register evaluations o Assessment of Effects o Adverse Effect determinations o Development of avoidance and minimization measures o Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) support if required o Responses to SHPO, NOAA, ACHP, and Tribal comments

Deliverables

The consultant shall provide:

• Monthly status reports

• Draft reports

• Final reports

• Historic architectural survey reports

• Archaeological survey reports

• GIS shapefiles and geodatabases

• Maps and figures

• Digital photographs with captions

• Digital files

• Agency response documents

• Alabama site forms and resource inventory forms

• National Register evaluation documentation

• SHPO correspondence support documents

• Agency comment response memoranda

• Mitigation documentation, if required

• All supporting field notes, digital data, photographs, GPS files, and other project records generated under the contract

• Electronic copies in PDF and editable format

All work shall be performed by professionals meeting the Secretary of the Interior's

Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61) in the appropriate discipline(s).

Deliverables shall be prepared in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements and be of sufficient quality to obtain concurrence from the Alabama State Historic Preservation

Office and satisfy NOAA's environmental compliance requirements.

All reports, photographs, GIS files, field notes, maps, databases, drawings, and other work products prepared under this contract shall become the property of CPYRWMA upon completion of the project.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:

The project timeline must align with the applicable federal grant periods of performance.

Removal of the Elba Hydroelectric Dam must be completed by August 2027. Because completion of the Section 106 review process is required prior to initiation of dam-removal construction activities, the historical archaeological and historic architectural services under this RFP are time-sensitive and must be completed on an expedited schedule. CPYRWMA anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed following contract execution and receipt of all required federal and state approvals.

The selected consultant shall coordinate closely with CPYRWMA and the appropriate federal and state agencies to complete the required investigations, documentation, consultation support, responses to agency comments, and other Section 106-related activities necessary to allow the dam-removal project to proceed to construction.

Offerors shall provide a detailed project schedule identifying key milestones, anticipated agency review periods, draft and final deliverables, and the anticipated date for completion of the consultant's Section 106 responsibilities.

CPYRWMA anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed following contract execution and receipt of all required federal and state approvals.

QUALIFICAIONS:

The consultant shall demonstrate: professional qualifications meeting the Secretary of the

Interior's Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61) for:

• Historic Architecture

• Historical Archaeology

• Experience conducting Section 106 compliance projects.

• Experience coordinating with SHPO.

• Experience preparing National Register evaluations.

• Experience with federal environmental compliance.

• Experience obtaining SHPO concurrence in Alabama is preferred.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Proposals must include the following components:

Cover Letter

• Firm name, address, and primary point of contact

• Brief statement of interest and project understanding

Qualifications and Experience

• Description of relevant experience with similar projects

• Experience with NOAA, USFWS, or other federally funded grants

• Key personnel qualifications and roles

Technical Approach

• Proposed methodology and approach to completing the scope of work

• Understanding of project goals and constraints

Project Schedule

• Proposed timeline and milestones

Cost Proposal

• Detailed budget by task and labor category

• Identification of any subcontractors

• Costs must be allowable, reasonable, and allocable under federal grant requirements

• Disclosure of conflicts of interest.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Experience with Section 106 and similar projects (Max Score 30).

• Qualifications of Personnel (Max Score 20).

• Project Approach (Max Score 20).

• Cost (Max Score 30).

Maximum Score: 100

CPYRWMA reserves the right to interview proposers, request additional information, or negotiate scope and cost.

Federal and State Compliance Requirements:

The selected proposer must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and grant requirements, including but not limited to:

• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for

Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200)

• NOAA and USFWS grant terms and conditions

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• National Historic Preservation Act

• National Environmental Policy Act

• Executive Orders applicable to federal financial assistance

• Alabama Competitive Bid Law, where applicable

• Alabama Public Works Law, if applicable

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR Part 180)

• Drug-Free Workplace

• E-Verify requirements

• Energy Policy and Conservation Act

• Procurement of Recovered Materials

• Domestic Preference requirements under 2 CFR 200.322

• Record retention requirements

• Access to records by NOAA, USFWS, Inspector General, Comptroller General, and auditors.

Proposers must certify that they are not debarred or suspended from federal contracting.

CPYRWMA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Deadline and Submission Method:

All proposals must be received in Alabama Buys by 4:30 p.m. CDT on September 29, 2026, the RFP response close date. It is solely the responsibility of each supplier to ensure timely submission of the proposal in Alabama Buys. CPYRWMA will not consider proposals received after the and date and time specified herein.

Suppliers are required to submit one complete electronic proposal, including all attachments directly into Alabama Buys. Electronic submissions are preferred; however, if a supplier is unable to submit an electronic proposal, requirements for physical submissions are outlined in the RFP Standard Terms and Conditions.

The CPYRWMA and the State of Alabama are not responsible for any costs incurred by the supplier for their proposal submission.

Contact Information:

For inquiries or additional information, please contact:

Lisa Harris choctaw@troy.edu

Deadline for Questions:

September 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT. Questions and answers will be posted to the RFP in Alabama Buys as an amendment following the question deadline.

The contract will be effective after the Governor’s signature. The contract is not effective until it has been approved by the Chief Procurement Officer, the Contract Review Committee, and the Governor. The contract will expire six (6) months after the Governor’s signature.

Notice:

This RFP does not commit Choctawhatchee, Pea, and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority to award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal. The CPYRWMA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request or to negotiate with any qualified firm if determined to be in the best interest of the Authority.

Required Attachments

• Attachment A – E-Verify MOU (Alabama Act No. 2011-535)

• Attachment B – Alabama Disclosure Statement W-9 mailto:choctaw@troy.edu