Brownfield Planning Services

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking proposals for brownfield redevelopment planning services across three distinct locations: Peshtigo, Turtle Lake, and Wisconsin Rapids. The RFP targets consulting firms to provide comprehensive market studies and community visioning activities for specific brownfield sites, including a 0.54-acre property in downtown Peshtigo, a 1.037-acre former creamery site in Turtle Lake, and a 1.69-acre former foundry site in Wisconsin Rapids. Each project requires consultants to develop site concept plans that incorporate previous environmental assessments, conduct new analyses, and engage community stakeholders to identify realistic redevelopment opportunities. Proposals are due by November 22, 2024, with projects expected to be completed by August 30, 2025. The DNR has established a deadline of November 1, 2024, for submitting written questions, with answers to be posted by November 8, 2024. Evaluation criteria will focus on professional competence, understanding of project objectives, proposed approach, and fee schedule. The selected consultants must demonstrate proven experience in brownfields redevelopment planning.

The DNR has secured Small Technical Assistance Grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund these efforts, with a maximum budget of $18,000 per project. The agency requires selected consultants to make every effort to award a minimum of 5% of the work to minority business enterprises. Consultants must be registered in Wisconsin or eligible through professional reciprocity. The DNR reserves the right to reject any or all proposals that do not meet the minimum requirements or fall outside fiscal constraints. While no incumbent vendors are specified, the projects require integration with previous environmental work and existing community planning documents, such as the Village of Turtle Lake's Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2020. The DNR will not negotiate contract language and will only consider proposals that strictly adhere to the outlined RFP requirements. Each project aims to advance site redevelopment for the benefit of the respective communities, with a focus on transforming vacant or underutilized properties into viable assets.