AML - ethel hollow stream restoration design build

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design-build services to restore Ethel Hollow Stream in Lewis County, a project spanning approximately 4.46 miles of altered stream channels impacted by pre-1977 coal mining activities across Ethel Hollow, Little Dark Hollow, Big Dark Hollow, and associated tributaries. The procurement is structured in two phases: Phase 1 encompasses design and professional services including site preparation, erosion control, stream restoration, wetland delineation, and obtaining Authorization to Proceed from the U.S. Department of Interior's Office of Surface Mining; Phase 2 involves construction implementation based on the Phase 1 design. Qualified firms must demonstrate the ability to obtain performance and payment bonds in the full project amount and maintain insurance coverage including $2 million commercial general liability, $2 million automobile liability, statutory workers' compensation, and $1 million professional liability. The project requires natural stream restoration techniques where feasible, with tree clearing and streambank stabilization evaluated on a case-by-case basis during conceptual design; design-builders must determine appropriate implementation areas and obtain necessary NEPA and Authorization to Proceed clearances with WVDEP support. Project examples should ideally demonstrate notice to proceed dates within the last five years. Statements of Qualifications are due March 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., submitted electronically through wvOASIS and in six hard copies to WVDEP's Charleston office; the WVDEP anticipates selecting no more than three responsive and responsible firms as shortlisted offerors to proceed to the Request for Proposal phase, with a mandatory pre-proposal meeting and site walk-through to be scheduled. Questions must be directed to Jessica Chambers Smith at jessica.chamberssmith@wv.gov by February 27, 2026, with responses published via addendum by March 13, 2026.

The solicitation includes two separate evaluations—one for state-level procurement and one for county/local federal funds procurement—with potential for multiple contract awards if different bidders are selected. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. is prohibited from participation in this procurement. All contractors and subcontractors must complete the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Applicator Violator System (AVS) eligibility evaluation form and submit a Coal Industry Employee Certification Form identifying current and former coal industry employees on staff, consistent with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) AML implementation guidance. The project is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with a total estimated budget of $15 million and requires compliance with federal procurement standards under 2 C.F.R. 200.317-200.327, including Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements for construction work exceeding $2,000, Copeland Anti-Kickback Act provisions, Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act compliance for contracts exceeding $150,000, and Build America, Buy America Act requirements for domestic production of materials. Non-shortlisted firms submitting responsive and complete proposals will receive a $15,000 stipend. The project includes a zero net impact requirement on property owner-held carbon credits, with no compensation available for carbon credit impacts.