GOED Broadband Office, NEPA Consult

The State of South Dakota's Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) is seeking a qualified contractor to administer National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance requirements for the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program. The selected vendor will be responsible for reviewing environmental documentation prepared by BEAD grant recipients, including Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and Categorical Exclusions (CatEx), to ensure technical and legal sufficiency across federal, state, and local regulations. Key deliverables include reviewing project plans and designs for environmental and cultural resource impacts, developing environmental management plans, coordinating with broadband stakeholders and government officials, and providing technical guidance on consultation and permitting processes. The RFP requires the contractor to maintain accurate records of environmental assessments and approvals throughout the project lifecycle. Proposal submissions are due by January 26, 2026, with a Letter of Intent to Respond required by January 12, 2026. The anticipated award decision is scheduled for February 2, 2026, with the contract set to commence upon award and continue through December 31, 2029.

The contract has several specific restrictions and requirements for potential respondents, including mandatory insurance coverage of $1,000,000 for commercial general liability, professional liability, and business automobile liability, as well as workers' compensation insurance as mandated by South Dakota law. Contractors must certify non-debarment status and demonstrate non-discrimination practices, with an additional restriction preventing ownership or control by entities from prohibited countries including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela. The compensation structure is based on a fixed hourly rate for actual hours worked, with an annual compensation of $12,000 and a total contract amount to be negotiated during finalization. All associated costs, including travel, accommodations, and meals, must be incorporated into the proposed hourly rate or submitted as separate expense reimbursements. The contract is entirely funded through NTIA BEAD grant funds, with the potential for termination by either party with thirty days' written notice, or immediate termination by the State in cases of breach.