Endangered Species Act Assessments

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is issuing RFP 240000003117 to procure Endangered Species Act Section 7 assessment services for approximately 245 orphan well and tank facility locations throughout Michigan. The selected contractor will be responsible for completing ESA Section 7 consultation packages using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) web application, developing species "crosswalk" documents that evaluate potential impacts to protected species, and obtaining Fish and Wildlife Service concurrence letters for each project. Key deliverables include Species Lists, Concurrence Letters, crosswalk documents, and supporting attachments organized by geographic proximity, with all work to be completed within approximately 150 business days from receipt of order. The contractor must have demonstrated expertise in ESA compliance, knowledge of the IPaC system, and experience with environmental assessment and consultation processes. Evaluation criteria are weighted equally at 25 points each across four categories: compliance with Schedule A Statement of Work requirements, staffing qualifications, project management approach, and vendor experience, with proposals requiring a minimum score of 80 points to advance to price evaluation. The mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held on September 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern via Microsoft Teams, with a deadline for bidder questions on September 30, 2024. Proposals are due October 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, with an anticipated contract start date of November 19, 2024, and contract period through November 18, 2025.

The contract includes a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) business 10 percent preference applicable to prime contractors only. Ten vendors attended the pre-proposal meeting, including AECOM, Egis, GEI Consultants, ASC Group, EnviroScience Inc., Merjent Inc., Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., EA Engineering Science and Technology, Davey Resource Group Inc., and Mannik & Smith Group Inc. The contract is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law federal grant award (Agreement Number D22AP00225) and is therefore subject to compliance with federal statutes, regulations, 2 CFR 200, Department of Interior terms and conditions, and award-specific requirements. Pricing is structured as a firm lump sum cost per Section 7 consultation package that includes all labor, materials, and two hours of professional services to address questions from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, or the State, with optional hourly rates provided for contract manager/project manager, technician/biologist, GIS specialist, field assistants, vehicle rental, and per diem if project scope changes or formal consultation becomes necessary. Specific budget or award value information is not disclosed in the RFP materials; however, the contract establishes liquidated damages of $5,000 plus $100 per day for late or improper completion of contract activities, and payment will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer within 45 days of invoice receipt.