Popham Peninsula Climate Resilience Planning

The State of Maine, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands is issuing Request for Proposals (RFP# 202603055) to procure professional coastal planning and stakeholder consultation services for the Popham Peninsula Climate Resilience Planning project in Phippsburg, Maine. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive resilience plan addressing coastal vulnerabilities including erosion, sea level rise, and storm surges affecting Popham Beach State Park, Fort Popham State Historic Site, Route 209, beachfront properties, and the Morse River tidal estuary. The scope encompasses nine key tasks: project initiation and stakeholder engagement, coastal vulnerability assessment, recreational and ecological inventory, public outreach through up to three workshops, resilience strategy identification and evaluation, model ordinance language development, draft and final plan preparation, presentation and reporting, and implementation support with monitoring frameworks. The anticipated project timeline spans 12 to 18 months, with the initial contract period running from August 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and an optional renewal period from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028, contingent on funding availability and performance. A mandatory Bidders' Conference is scheduled for June 4, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Popham Beach State Park, 711 Popham Rd, Phippsburg, Maine 04562. Written questions must be submitted by June 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., local time, and proposals are due June 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., local time, via the Vendor Self Service (VSS) system. Evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale with weightings of 35 points for Organization Qualifications and Experience, 40 points for Proposed Services, and 25 points for Cost Proposal, with the lowest cost proposal receiving maximum cost points and others scored proportionately using a mathematical formula.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular types of organizations, indicating this is an open competition. Bidders must submit detailed budget breakdowns covering all costs for the full contract period, including hourly rates for all personnel, along with financial statements for the past three years, certificates of insurance, organizational charts, and documentation of relevant licensure and certifications. The specific budget or award value is not disclosed in the RFP documentation provided. This project is partially funded through a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the "Resilient Maine: Local Adaptation and Resilience Actions at a Coastwide Scale" initiative, building on prior assessments from the "Changing Shorelines: Adaptation Planning for Maine's Coastal State Parks" effort and a NOAA Project of Special Merit. The State anticipates making one award, and the successful Bidder will be required to execute a State of Maine Service Contract with payment on a net 30 basis upon receipt of accurate invoices containing the contract number and supporting documentation. All proposals will be publicly available following award notification in accordance with Maine's Freedom of Access Act.