Key Mill Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

The Washington State Department of Ecology is conducting a Request for Qualifications (RFQ 2510 ERO) to procure architectural and engineering services for preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed expansion of the Key Mill Tailings Storage Facility in Ferry County, Washington. The SEIS will comprehensively analyze potential environmental impacts, focusing on earth and geology, human health and safety, water quality, aquatic resources, visual resources, climate change, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts. Qualified firms must have a minimum of 3 years of experience preparing EIS documents in Washington State, performing SEPA/NEPA analysis, and working with government agencies, tribes, industry, and public stakeholders. The evaluation will be based on a 120-point scale, with 50 points for the technical proposal, 40 points for the management proposal, 5 points for workers' rights certification, and 5 points for small/diverse business preference, with an additional 20 points possible through vendor interviews. A virtual pre-submittal conference is scheduled for January 22, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM PST, with proposal responses due by February 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM Lacey, WA time. The contract period runs from the date of award through December 31, 2025, with potential extensions up to two years.

The RFQ encourages participation from small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE), though no mandatory set-aside requirements exist. Vendors must be licensed to do business in Washington State and cannot be suspended or debarred from government contracts. The project involves reviewing extensive documentation from previous environmental studies dating back to 1988, developing a project plan, coordinating with stakeholders, managing public involvement, and preparing draft and final SEIS documents, which will include 1-3 public meetings and 1-2 hearings. No cost proposals are required at this initial stage, as this is an architecture and engineering procurement under RCW 39.80, with fees to be negotiated after selecting the most qualified vendor. The proposed expansion would increase the tailings storage facility's height by approximately 75 feet to 3,360 feet above mean sea level, adding 5.5 million tons of capacity and extending the mill's operational life by 9-12 years. Successful vendors will be required to maintain appropriate insurance coverage and report monthly on any subcontractor participation through the state's Access Equity system. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the SEIS and the project's complexity suggest a significant procurement value.