Engineering Svcs. for Restoring Marsh Habitat & Public Spaces at S. Easton Pond

The City of Newport, Rhode Island Department of Utilities is seeking engineering consulting services through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for restoring marsh habitat and public green spaces at South Easton Pond. The project involves a comprehensive study to evaluate existing site conditions of a drainage channel known as "the Moat", with primary objectives of improving flood management, stabilizing embankment slopes, and enhancing public access. The consultant will be required to conduct desktop analysis of stormwater drainage, natural resources, and geology, as well as perform on-site fieldwork with a focus on nature-based strategies for erosion control and habitat restoration. Proposals are due by August 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with the final project report to be completed by the end of June 2026. The consultant selection will be based on a 100-point evaluation system: 40 points for qualifications and experience, 30 points for project understanding and approach, and 30 points for past performance. The City reserves the right to negotiate with the top-ranked consultant and may request interviews with the top three qualified firms.

The project is funded through an Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund Grant from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. The project is critically important, as the North and South Easton Ponds have a total storage capacity of 685.1 MG, representing a significant portion of Newport Water Division's water supply. Without these reservoirs, the daily water supply would decrease from 16 million gallons per day to 7 million gallons per day. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations are mentioned in the document, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests that firms with extensive experience in environmental engineering, hydrology, and habitat restoration would be most competitive. The RFQ does not specify a precise budget range or award value, but the complexity of the project and the involvement of multiple state-level funding agencies indicate a substantial investment in restoring and protecting this critical water resource and ecological area.