StateForestsCarbon_RFI_FINAL2.pdf

RFI: S-62900-00014226

Purpose

This is a Request for Information (RFI), issued by the State of Oregon, Department of Forestry (hereafter referred to as “ODF”).

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for information on the potential to monetize carbon stored in state forests managed by ODF under a range of forest management scenarios. Information from this RFI will be used to determine the feasibility and scope of a potential carbon project that compliments other state forests management objectives, including timber harvest and habitat protection.

NOTE: The State of Oregon may issue a solicitation and/or contract offer related to this RFI, but does not guarantee that it will issue any such solicitation and/or contract.

Responders are requested to:

Be brief and to the point on the RFI requirements Responders may provide pricing estimates for the costs of implementing potential carbon projects (e.g. monitoring, verification) for information purposes only. Any pricing estimates provided will be considered non-binding.

Responders may submit information on similar scenarios Responses may be emailed to Burke.Mayer@odf.oregon.gov

Responses to this RFI must be received via email no later than August 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered. Responses (comments) must be sent to:

Burke Mayer, Contracts Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Procurement Unit, Building C 2600 State Street Salem, Oregon 97310 E-mail: Burke.Mayer@odf.oregon.gov

Thanks in advance for your assistance. If you have questions regarding this project that would be helpful in your responses, please contact:

Michael Wilson State Forests Division Chief Oregon Department of Forestry State Forests Division, Building D 2600 State Street Salem, Oregon 97310 E-mail: Michael.wilson@odf.oregon.gov mailto:Burke.Mayer@odf.oregon.gov mailto:Michael.wilson@odf.oregon.gov

Background

ODF manages state forestlands for the “greatest permanent value” to the State of Oregon, which includes economic, social and environmental benefits. High-level forest management plans (FMPs) are used to guide operational plans and contain overarching resource goals. These FMPs are adopted by the Oregon Board of Forestry, which also adopted a high-level Climate Change and Carbon Plan in November 2021 that recognizes these FMPs may serve as a vehicle to achieve forest carbon goals on ODF forestlands.

ODF is currently pursuing a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the forestland it manages in western Oregon to ensure that its management activities comply with the Endangered Species Act.

ODF is also developing a new FMP that will reflect requirements of the HCP while evaluating a range of management scenarios from timber harvest maximization to longer rotations, using a heuristic, spatially aware forest activity model. The outcomes of this modeling effort show a range of differences in outcomes for various forest resources, including carbon stored in forests.

ODF will use information provided by RFI respondents to better understand and consider the potential benefit of carbon under these possible management scenarios.

Objective

Provide information on the feasibility, benefits, costs and risks of potential carbon projects that will be used by decision makers to examine the tradeoffs among potential forest management scenarios.

Available Information ODF can provide:

1. Statutes, administrative rules, Forest Management Plans and policies pertinent to ODF’s management of state forestlands.

2. Data associated with estimated outcomes from the modeled scenarios, including timber harvest, forest inventory, forest stand conditions over time, and estimated carbon stored in forest stands over time.

3. GIS data related to administrative boundaries, forest inventory, habitat protections, and other resources (e.g. roads, streams).

4. Trend data for historic harvest volume and value.

RFI Questions

1. Description of current carbon market dynamics, pricing information, and trends.

2. Description of eligibility, forest management constraints, and opportunities associated with enrolling the described lands in a “voluntary” alternative carbon certification program as compared to a “regulatory” based program such as the California Air Resources Board.

3. An evaluation of identified regulatory and voluntary programs including an estimated timeline for each of the work products required, and anticipated cost estimates associated with enrollment in each program.

4. An estimated range for the potential financial value of carbon stocks based on the outcomes of the modeling associated with the modeled outcomes for potential projects identified.

5. A summary of key carbon project requirements estimated costs for market application and registration, and long-term management responsibilities associated with potential projects identified.

6. Characterization of risks that could prevent achievement of outcomes for potential projects identified, including, but not limited to, loss associated with potential disturbances (e.g.

fire, reduced tree growth).

Attachment 1: Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Management Plan

Scenario Modeled Outcomes Report https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/bof/20250604-bof-item-15.pdf https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/bof/20250604-bof-item-15.pdf