Floodplain Reforestation Program

The City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposals 6300 EAB3010 for reforestation services focused on restoring floodplain and Critical Water Quality Zone areas on publicly managed land in eastern Travis County. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to implement comprehensive reforestation programs that restore degraded floodplains using a diverse palette of native woody species appropriate for the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairie ecoregions. Key deliverables include development of an Annual Work Plan, procurement of 60,000 native woody saplings, procurement of 50 pounds of native seeds or seed mix, planting implementation across a minimum of 10 acres per contract year, marketing and outreach activities in English and Spanish, coordination of five volunteer events, and submission of two reporting and success evaluation plans. Contractors must also establish a native woody seed collection and storage program and cultivate supplemental funding sources totaling at least $25,000. Proposals will be evaluated based on five criteria: Experience and Personnel Qualifications (20 points), Reforestation Program Concept and Approach (30 points), Outreach, Engagement, and Reporting Approach (15 points), and Price (15 points), with optional Local Business Preference (up to 10 points) and Small Business Preference (up to 10 points) available to eligible offerors. The City suggests approximately 75 percent of contract funds be allocated toward direct reforestation activities. Proposals are due April 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with offer opening at 3:00 PM the same day; written questions must be submitted by March 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM via email. No pre-offer conference or mandatory site visit is required.

This procurement is subject to the City of Austin's living wage requirements mandating a minimum wage of $22.05 per hour for all employees directly assigned to the contract, and contractors must comply with wage theft certification requirements. Eligible small businesses and local businesses may receive preference points if they meet established criteria and provide appropriate certifications. All contractors must comply with the City's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises program requirements and submit subcontracting utilization plans if utilizing MBE/WBE participation. Offerors must certify compliance with multiple statutory requirements including debarment status, cybersecurity infrastructure protections, and various state and local policies. The contract has an initial term of twelve months with up to four additional twelve-month renewal options at the City's sole discretion, with sixty days' notice required if the City does not intend to renew. No specific funding amount or budget range is identified in the solicitation materials; however, all proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's Austin Finance Online system on the provided pricing submittal sheet with unit prices limited to four decimal places. The City reserves the right to award a single contract based on overall low cost or make multiple awards based on individual line items, categories, or any combination deemed most advantageous.