Consulting Services for Strategic Decommissioning and Site Planning

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is seeking consulting services for strategic decommissioning and site planning at the Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) in Grafton, North Dakota. The Request for Proposal (RFP) number 325-25-990-046 solicits a qualified planning and design consultant to prepare a detailed site plan and land use plan for transferring a portion of the 40-acre campus to a local economic development entity. Key deliverables include an existing conditions analysis, up to three initial site plan concepts, a refined site plan incorporating stakeholder feedback, and a final site and land use plan document. The project requires comprehensive services such as site assessment, property subdivision strategy, site planning, and stakeholder coordination, with optional services including building assessments for decommissioning and utility strategy analysis. The RFP evaluation will assess proposals across five criteria: Understanding of Scope of Work (25 points), Management Plan (15 points), Experience and Qualifications (35 points), Optional Services (10 points), and Cost Proposal (15 points). The solicitation was posted on June 19, 2025, with proposals due by July 10, 2025, and the initial contract term running from August 18, 2025, through November 30, 2025.

The RFP includes provisions for North Dakota vendor preference, particularly in cases of identical pricing or evaluation scores. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the evaluation process includes a strong emphasis on local vendor consideration. The campus currently consists of 23 buildings totaling 417,170 square feet, with structures dating from 1909 to 1985, suggesting a complex decommissioning environment. The contract includes potential renewal options for up to two additional 24-month periods, subject to satisfactory performance and legislative appropriation. Vendors will be required to maintain specific insurance coverages, including $2,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence. While exact budget ranges are not specified, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant investment in strategic campus reorganization and economic development planning. The state will become the sole owner of all materials developed under this RFP, ensuring complete transfer of intellectual property and planning documentation.