Climate Action Planning Assistance for the East Central Iowa Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Status Report

The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is requesting proposals for climate action planning assistance to develop a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Status Report and greenhouse gas inventories under an EPA-funded initiative, with proposals due September 11, 2026 at 1 p.m. This is a two-contract, cost-reimbursable engagement split between the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area (Benton, Linn, and Jones counties) and the Iowa City MSA (Johnson, Washington, and Iowa counties), with regional work divided evenly between both contracts.

The scope includes six primary tasks: project management and coordination with ECICOG and a technical advisory committee; updating the six-county regional GHG inventory using EPA's Local Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool across agriculture, commercial and residential buildings, transportation, industry, electricity generation, waste management, wastewater, and natural lands; updating emissions projections and targets; conducting an implementation status review of the existing Comprehensive Climate Action Plan; developing next steps and budget recommendations; and producing an ADA-compliant Status Report. The consultant must also complete GHG inventories for up to eight cities in the region, prepare standalone community reports, and conduct educational meetings with participating cities. All deliverables are due by August 1, 2027.

Cost proposals must itemize hourly rates and hours for professional and administrative staff assigned to each of the six tasks, plus travel, materials, printing, and direct costs. Bidders may propose subcontractors, though a primary contractor must manage all subcontractors and team composition may not change after submission without written approval. The contractor must retain working papers for five years and comply with federal contract requirements including Equal Employment Opportunity, Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (for bids exceeding $100,000), debarment and suspension, Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act compliance (for contracts exceeding $150,000), and DBE subcontractor payment within 30 days.

Evaluation weighting: technical expertise and regional understanding (35 points), relevant experience and qualifications (35 points), approach and responsiveness (15 points), and cost-effectiveness (15 points). ECICOG will interview two to three finalists; the Board of Directors makes final award approval. Written questions are due August 24 at 4 p.m.; answers post by August 28 at 1 p.m.