Solicitation_Documents.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (“RPS”) – PART I

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 1 of 6

RPS #: 252771AMS

RPS TITLE: MYAKKA RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

PURPOSE

In accordance with Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, Sarasota County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, will receive proposals on the date indicated in OpenGov Procurement (OpenGov), the County’s electronic procurement portal for the purpose of selecting a qualified Proposer to provide professional engineering services to complete an updated Myakka River Watershed Management Plan (WMP) and Best Management Practices Alternatives Analysis. Proposers are required to comply with Part II, Scope of Services.

OpenGov is located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/scgov

PROPOSER

2.1 For the purposes of this RPS, the term “Proposer” is defined as the legal entity submitting a proposal.

2.2 Proposers intending to submit a bid as a joint venture with another company must provide documentation attesting to the formation of that joint venture with their submittal. For purposes of this solicitation, all vendors who make up the joint venture will be considered together as the Proposer.

QUALIFICATIONS

3.1 The Proposer must be a business organization registered with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) to provide Engineering Services in the State of Florida at the time of submittal.

3.2 At least one key personnel listed in the Proposal must be a registered Professional Engineer (PE) licensed by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers at the time of submittal.

3.3 Proposals should demonstrate experience designing flood protection projects and water quality improvement projects utilizing Best Management Practices.

3.4 Preferred Qualifications

3.4.1 Experience with knowledge of Sarasota County Unified

Development Code.

3.4.2 Experience with hydrological modeling and surface water modeling.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/scgov

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 2 of 6

3.4.3 Experience with the following software:

a. Inter-Connected Pond Routing (ICPR)

b. Geographic Information System (GIS)

c. Spatially Integrated Model for Pollutant Loading Estimates

(SIMPLE)

d. Best Management Practice Treatment options for Removal on an Annual basis by those Interested in Nutrients in Stormwater (BMPTRAINS)

MEETINGS & SCHEDULE

An anticipated schedule is provided in the Timeline posted in OpenGov. All meetings will take place at the time, date, and location specified in the solicitation Timeline. Short-listed Proposers should be prepared to attend presentations and/or interviews either in Sarasota, Florida or virtually, at the County’s discretion.

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

Refer to the Submittal Instructions section in OpenGov for instructions on how to submit a proposal. Proposers are advised to review the General Terms and Conditions of Solicitations which are available in OpenGov.

WRITTEN PROPOSALS

The information requested in each section below will be used by the evaluation committee to evaluate and score written proposals. All proposal documents must be submitted in the Vendor Questionnaire section in OpenGov in the format requested.

6.1 Ability of Professional Personnel

6.1.1 Single page letter of interest summarizing Proposer’s

qualifications.

6.1.2 Required and preferred licenses and certifications.

6.1.3 Resumes of key personnel, including subconsultants, demonstrating individual qualifications and experience.

6.2 Proposer’s Past Performance & Experience

6.2.1 Complete the Summary of Professional Experience &

Capabilities Form in the Vendor Questionnaire section of OpenGov). Projects submitted should demonstrate the

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 3 of 6 experience of the Proposer, subcontractor(s), and current team members who may have worked for other firms on similar projects and provide detailed information regarding the Proposer’s capabilities, project management techniques, and project controls.

6.3 Approach

6.3.1 Project Approach – Provide a detailed project approach that includes, but is not limited to the following:

a. Project management techniques, controls, program and technologies to be employed to meet project schedule and budget requirements.

b. Assignment of personnel to provide the most efficient service.

c. Where elements of the work will be performed, and who in the organizational chart will oversee performance of the work to provide the most efficient services.

d. Anticipated impacts of the Proposer’s current and projected workload on the project.

e. Detailed information explaining how location of the firm, key personnel and sub-contractors will affect project, including how impact of any physical distance will be mitigated through the use of technology, processes or other means.

6.3.2 Workload

Complete the Current & Projected Workload Form (in the Vendor Questionnaire section of OpenGov) to identify active and awarded projects.

6.3.3 Organization

a. Provide an organizational chart delineating personnel assigned to the project (including subconsultants).

b. Provide an organizational chart showing the corporate management structure of the Proposer.

6.3.4 Schedule/Timeline

Provide a graphical representation of the proposed project schedule/timeline indicating major milestones and deliverables.

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 4 of 6

SELECTION PROCESS

7.1 Written Proposals

7.1.1 All timely responses meeting the criteria set forth in this RPS will be considered by the County.

7.1.2 Written proposals will be evaluated and scored by the

Professional Services Review Committee (PSRC) using the evaluation criteria in the Evaluation Criteria section of OpenGov.

7.1.3 When evaluating written proposals, the PSRC will use the scale below to score each criterion. Only whole numbers are to be used when scoring. Scores will be given weight as indicated in the evaluation criteria in OpenGov.

Score Description

5 Excellent

4 Very Good

3 Good

2 Satisfactory

1 Unsatisfactory

0 N/A

7.2 Presentations

The PSRC will conduct discussions with, and may require public presentations by, no fewer than the three (3) highest scoring Proposer

7.3 Ranking

Following discussions or presentations, the PSRC will rank the short-listed Proposers. When ranking short-listed Proposers, the PSRC will consider information contained in the written proposals, clarifications (if any), and information provided during discussions or presentations.

Ranking shall be determined without regard to the score established as a result of the evaluation of written proposals.

7.4 Recommendation of Award

The Proposer ranked first by the PSRC will be recommended for award.

AWARD

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 5 of 6

8.1 It is the intent of the County to award a contract to the Proposer(s) who, in the sole opinion of the County, is most qualified to perform the scope of services required.

8.2 In the event of a tie the tie-breaking procedures identified in the Sarasota County Procurement Manual will apply.

8.3 Local preference as defined in the Procurement Code section 2-215 is not applicable to this solicitation.

8.4 Contract

A draft of the contract that the successful Proposer(s) will be expected to sign (a CCNA Specific Project Agreement) is posted on the Procurement website, shown below. The County may, in its sole discretion, select a different contract type or make revisions to the one referenced above following the recommended award of this solicitation.

https://www.scgov.net/government/procurement/contract-templates

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

9.1 Any Proposer who has drafted any portion of a scope of work or specifications for a project, or any entity which provides material assistance to such Proposer in such work, shall be ineligible to compete for the contract for design or construction of that project.

9.2 Selected Proposers, either directly or through an affiliate, may not have a business relationship with any entity to perform work related to a work assignment issued under any resulting contract

CHANGES IN PROJECT TEAM

10.1 A change in the project team of a Proposer after the submission of a proposal could result in reconsideration of the scoring of applicable evaluation criteria, at the sole discretion of the County.

10.2 Any changes in the Proposer’s Key Personnel must be brought to the attention of Procurement as soon as possible after the change is made.

The changes, the reasons for the changes, and resumes for the individuals being substituted for an original project team member, must be submitted to the Procurement Analyst identified in the Solicitation Summary prior to the scheduled evaluation committee meeting.

10.3 Decreases in scoring may result from the reconsideration of changes in the project team of a Proposer. No increases in scoring will result from the reconsideration of changes in the project team of a Proposer.

https://www.scgov.net/government/procurement/contract-templates

RPS Part I Rev. 02/10/25 Page 6 of 6

10.4 After recommendation of award, the successful Proposer shall not be allowed to substitute project team members named in this proposal without the prior written permission of the County. Substitution may, in the sole opinion of the County, be grounds for cancellation of a recommended award, or termination of agreement.

REUSE OF EXISTING PLANS

11.1 The plans on this project are subject to reuse in accordance with Section

287.055 (10), Florida Statutes.

PART II

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Revised 02/07/25 Document prepared by Public Works/Stormwater Part II - Page 1 of 4

1. PURPOSE

Consultant will provide professional engineering services to complete an updated Myakka River Watershed Management Plan (WMP) and Best Management Practices Alternatives Analysis. The plan will assess the level of service status for flooding and water quality, develop a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and prepare a report. All work shall be consistent with the Community Rating System (CRS) requirements for watershed management plans in Activity 450, https://crsresources.org/manual/.

2. BACKGROUND

In 2013, a Watershed Management Plan (WMP) was completed for the upper and lower Myakka River Watersheds. The Watershed covers approximately 139 square miles within Sarasota County and discharges at Charlotte Harbor. The comprehensive WMP addressed the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s four areas of water resource management responsibilities: water quality, water quantity, flooding, and natural systems within each of its watersheds. The resulting WMP included a detailed watershed analysis, which resulted in project concepts to improve the health of Charlotte Harbor.

A. Flood Protection:

This project will update the latest County StormWise models to analyze the Myakka River Watershed for Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) deficiencies and identify Best Management Practices (BMP) alternatives for cost-effective flood control Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). The holistic analysis of BMP alternatives will have a cost/benefit matrix and include data from recent canal, pond, and coastal flooding studies and mitigation recommendations identified in the County’s recent Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA). Future condition hydrology scenarios will be estimated using an “intermediate-high” projection for 2100, as included in the 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report. The report can be found at https://earth.gov/sealevel/us/resources/2022-sea-level-rise-technical-report/; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2022 (NOAA), and follow all Community Rating System (CRS) Program requirements.

B. Water Quality:

This project will build upon the previous plan to perform a surface water resource assessment of all basins draining to the Myakka River and identify BMP alternatives for cost-effective water quality capital improvement projects in basins within the Myakka River watershed.

https://crsresources.org/manual/ https://earth.gov/sealevel/us/resources/2022-sea-level-rise-technical-report/ https://earth.gov/sealevel/us/resources/2022-sea-level-rise-technical-report/

Document prepared by Public Works/Stormwater Part II - Page 2 of 4

The project includes identifying hot spots using recent water quality and environmental resource data, the jointly developed Spatially Integrated Model for Pollutant Loading Estimates (SIMPLE) pollutant load model, current regulatory standards, and management targets.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. Flood Protection

i. Work shall start with the latest County StormWise models for the

Myakka River Watershed, comprised of the upper and lower Myakka basins. These models will be updated with current development, and floodplains will be developed according to the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards. The updated models will be used in this project and also submitted for approval by FEMA with an application for a physical map revision (PMR).

ii. Analyze FPLOS deficiencies for structures and street flooding using standards in the Unified Development Code Appendix C14 and the adopted Stormwater FPLOS.

iii. Modeling shall follow County and FEMA standards. It will include 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, 100-year, and 500-year storm events for both existing conditions and future conditions.

iv. Develop BMP Alternatives and assess other existing CIPs and projects identified in the RLAA, existing basin plans, and the County Project Portfolio to address FPLOS deficiencies.

v. Model each alternative, starting with the Existing Conditions Models, to create Proposed Conditions Models and associated Geographic Watershed Information System (GWIS) databases.

vi. Evaluate the impact of future conditions on the cost-effective project recommendations. The goal is to determine what needs to be done to ensure project viability in future conditions.

vii. Prepare draft and final interim Flood Protection Reports.

B. Water Quality

This project will build upon the previous plans to perform a surface water resource assessment to help determine the health of all basins that drain to Myakka River. The anticipated tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

i. Gather existing water quality data and analyze status and trends.

The status analysis will compare analogous waterbodies and identify which have elevated concentrations of pollutants. Trend analysis will use the Seasonal Kendall-Tau or other approved, appropriate methods.

ii. Compare water quality data to local management targets and state and federal regulatory standards. The evaluation shall include seagrass and other targets and thresholds established by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Program (CHNEP).

Document prepared by Public Works/Stormwater Part II - Page 3 of 4

iii. Identify waterbodies verified as impaired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and consider the priorities for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development for each. Verify the appropriateness of any existing TMDLs and reasonable assurance plans.

iv. Identify waterbodies with an established TMDL produced by the FDEP or the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

v. Verify and update monthly inputs and run the SIMPLE for pollutant load modeling to identify increasing trends, to identify the dominant method of pollutant load delivery (atmospheric, runoff, or baseflow, for example), to identify the basins or sub-basins where loading is significant to waterbodies with elevated pollutants or increasing pollutant trends. Also, the model can identify locations where a pollutant reduction project or BMP would be more effective. A standard rainfall year will help identify the loading trends without the natural variation of rainfall overwhelming the runoff loading calculations.

vi. Assess basins for Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS) deficiencies (areas not meeting targets or Sarasota County standards). Verify areas identified in the current watershed management plan that have not been implemented.

vii. Develop new BMP alternatives and include and enhance those identified in the current WMP to address WQLOS deficiencies and hot spots. BMP alternatives to assess shall include, but are not limited to, nutrient removal stream restoration design, green infrastructure, and low-impact development. All innovative techniques and alternatives are encouraged to look above and beyond previously recommended BMPs and CIPs.

viii. Determine measurable benefits for each alternative, including an estimate of the damages avoided.

ix. Assess each proposed alternative with the current Best Management Practice Treatment options for Removal on an Annual basis by those Interested in the Nutrients in Stormwater (BMPTRAINS) model. Add each alternative to the existing SIMPLE Watershed model.

x. Evaluate the impact of future conditions on cost-effective project recommendations to ensure the projects are still viable under future conditions.

xi. A draft and final Water Quality Report.

C. Tasks Common to Both Flood Protection and Water Quality

i. Provide Quality Assurance/Quality Control.

ii. Schedule and facilitate approximately one (1) project kick-off meeting, twelve (12) progress meetings, and six (6) stakeholder meetings.

iii. Develop a minimum of ten (10) cost-effective projects for each component: Develop conceptual design plans for each alternative along with associated models and GIS files with measurable benefits identified.

Document prepared by Public Works/Stormwater Part II - Page 4 of 4

iv. Develop planning level Engineer Opinion of Probable Cost (EPOC).

v. Analyze cost-effectiveness for each alternative per County benchmark water quality component and per County standard flood plain component.

vi. Prepare Cost/Benefit Matrix.

vii. Identify partnership opportunities for implementing BMPs.

viii. Identify recurring grant opportunities that may be used to fund projects.

ix. Determine if collaborating with other projects improves the cost-effectiveness of proposed projects, including:

a. Identifying future mitigation needs for municipal capital improvement projects and the potential to incorporate multiple valuable outcomes into proposed projects.

b. Identifying upcoming stormwater drainage system replacement or major repair projects for weirs, pipes, open channels, pump stations, or other infrastructure.

x. Prepare a draft and final report that combines both components.

D. Natural Systems Component

Consultant shall integrate into the plans whenever possible within the framework of flood control and water quality considerations, opportunities for naturalization of waterways, enhanced fish passage, use of native plants, wetlands, or restoration of flow regimes similar to predeveloped conditions.

E. Schedule

Consultant shall include a schedule that accomplishes the project within 24 months or as otherwise agreed upon by the County.

PART III – INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Insurance Template Adopted 04/19/19 Page 1 of 2

CONTRACTOR’S INSURANCE

Contractor shall, on a primary basis and at its sole expense, maintain in full force and effect, at all times during the life of this Contract, insurance coverage (including endorsements) and limits as described herein. These requirements, as well as the County’s review or acceptance of insurance maintained by Contractor, are not intended to and shall not in any manner limit or qualify the liabilities or obligations assumed by Contractor under this Contract.

Insurance requirements itemized in this Contract and required of the Contractor shall extend to all subcontractors to cover their operations performed under this Contract.

The Contractor shall be responsible for any modifications, deviations, or omissions in these insurance requirements as they apply to subcontractors.

Insurance carriers providing coverage required herein must be licensed to conduct business in the State of Florida and must possess a current A.M. Best’s Financial Strength Rating of A- Class VII or better.

Each insurance policy required by this Contract shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made and suit is brought, except with respect to limits of the insurer’s liability.

The Contractor shall be solely responsible for payment of all premiums for insurance contributing to the satisfaction of this Contract and shall be solely responsible for the payment of all deductibles and retentions to which such policies are subject.

Contractor shall furnish Certificates of Insurance to the County Administrative Agent evidencing the types and amounts of coverage, including endorsements, required by this Contract prior to commencement of work and prior to expiration of the insurance contract, when applicable. Such Certificate(s) of Insurance shall, to the extent allowable by the insurer, include a minimum thirty (30) day notice of cancellation (10 days for non-payment of premium) or non-renewal of coverage. Notwithstanding these notification requirements, the Contractor will be required to provide County with 5-day prior written notice of any policy cancellation or non-renewal.

The County reserves the right to review, modify, reject, or accept any required policies of insurance, including limits, coverage, or endorsements, herein from time to time throughout the term of this Contract. County reserves the right, but not the obligation, to review and reject any insurer providing coverage due to its poor financial condition or failure to operate legally.

A. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: Contractor agrees to maintain Workers’ Compensation insurance in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 440.

Employers Liability to be included with a minimum limit of $500,000 per accident/per disease/per employee. If work is to be performed over or adjacent to navigable water and involves maritime exposure, applicable LHWCA, Jones Act, or other maritime law coverage shall be included.

PART III – INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Insurance Template Adopted 04/19/19 Page 2 of 2

In the event the Contractor has “leased” employees, the Contractor or the employee leasing company must provide evidence of a Workers’ Compensation policy for all personnel on the worksite.

Contractors who are exempt from Florida’s Workers’ Compensation law must provide proof of such exemption issued by the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

B. BUSINESS AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY: Contractor agrees to maintain Business Automobile Liability insurance with limits not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident covering all Owned, Non-Owned & Hired automobiles used in the performance of this contract. In the event Contractor does not own automobiles, Contractor agrees to maintain coverage for Hired & Non-Owned Auto Liability, which may be satisfied by way of endorsement to the Commercial General Liability policy or separate Business Auto Liability policy.

C. COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY: Contractor shall maintain Commercial General Liability per ISO form CG0001 or its equivalent, including but not limited to coverage for premises and operations, personal injury, products & completed operations, liability assumed under an insured contract, and independent contractors with limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 each occurrence, $2,000,000.00 aggregate covering all work performed under this Contract.

Contractor agrees to endorse Sarasota County Government as an additional insured on the Commercial General Liability coverage.

D. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY: Contractor shall maintain Professional Liability, or equivalent Errors & Omissions Liability, with limits not less than $1,000,000.00 per claim/occurrence for professional services rendered under this Contract. If coverage is written on a claims-made basis: a. Any retroactive date shall precede the effective date of this Contract; b. Contractor shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing the required coverage for a period of two years after final payment under this Contract is made, or provide evidence showing Contractor has obtained a two-year extended reporting period endorsement.