On Call Environmental Consultant Services- FTA & HUD

The City of Tucson is conducting a competitive one-step procurement to retain three environmental consulting firms for on-call professional services. The primary objective is to secure consultants capable of preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents following federal, state, and local regulations, with services funded through Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sources. Specific deliverables will include cultural reports, biological reports, air quality assessments, noise reports, 404 permitting, and various environmental clearance and planning services. The solicitation (RFQ #240138) requires consultants to have extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and procedures across multiple jurisdictional levels. Evaluation criteria will focus on three key areas: experience and qualifications of the project team (50 points), firm qualifications (25 points), and available resources to complete projects (25 points). A pre-submittal conference is scheduled for March 12, 2024, at 10:00 am, with final proposals due on March 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm local Arizona time. The contract term will be one year with two potential two-year renewal options, with individual projects not exceeding $300,000.

The procurement includes specific small business and disadvantaged business enterprise (SBE/DBE) program provisions, requiring good faith efforts to include certified DBE and SBE firms in project implementation. Contractors must demonstrate compliance with federal regulations under 49 CFR 26, including detailed documentation of subcontractor participation and potential DBE involvement. The estimated annual budget for these environmental consulting services is approximately $500,000, with the city reserving the right to award contracts on an as-needed, if-needed basis. Successful respondents will be required to maintain appropriate insurance coverage and comply with federal labor standards, immigration requirements, and accessibility regulations. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to provisions of the Housing and Urban Development Act, Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contractors must be prepared to provide a proposed design fee within five working days of notification and negotiate rates with the city's project manager. The procurement allows for potential contract termination or payment withholding if contractors fail to meet established DBE and SBE program requirements.