REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Rider 7 PM2. 5 Program Servicesand Air Quality Planning Activities

The South Texas Development Council is requesting proposals for air quality consulting services under RFP No. AQR72026 (Rider 7 PM2.5 Program Services and Air Quality Planning Activities), with proposals due June 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and award notice scheduled for June 12, 2026. The RFP serves Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata Counties in Texas, with primary focus on Webb County.

A HUB Subcontracting Plan is required for contracts valued at $100,000 or more under Texas Government Code 2161.252. Proposers must complete and submit the HSP or their response will be rejected. Proposers claiming DBE or HUB status must provide current certification documentation on the mandatory DBE/HUB Proposer Identification Form.

The scope encompasses air quality planning activities for PM2.5 as mandated by TCEQ Legislative Appropriation from the 88th and 89th Legislatures, including emissions inventorying, pollution monitoring, air pollution and data analysis, pollution-level modeling, and regional air quality planning. Services include leasing an EPA Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) designated PM2.5 ambient air quality monitor and potentially procuring meteorological sensors as line-item budget components. Proposers may respond to any or all activities in the Scope of Work but must clearly identify which activities are included in their proposal; excluded activities may result in award deductions. For meteorological sensor deployment, proposers must include tower or mounting structure costs in their contingency line item. The contract period runs October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with no renewal options.

The expected budget is $253,125, with administrative costs capped at 10%. Funding derives from TCEQ Rider 7 appropriations for FY26-27. Proposers must submit detailed cost estimates broken down by hours, prices, and personnel classification for each task and deliverable.

Evaluation is on a 100-point scale: experience and expertise (60 points), previous work performance (25 points), capacity to perform (15 points). A minimum composite score of 70 points is required for award eligibility. Proposals must include three professional references from entities similar in nature, with inaccurate, obsolete, or negative reference responses potentially resulting in rejection.

Submission requires one original hardcopy, four additional copies, and one electronic PDF copy via USB drive or email. All required attachments — DBE/HUB certifications, conflict of interest questionnaires, suspension and debarment certifications, and client references — must be completed and included. Proposers must acknowledge receipt of Addendum No. 1 (issued June 1, 2026) as part of their proposal submission. Questions were due May 29, 2026; responses to questions were posted June 1, 2026.