Request for Proposal - Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project

The City of Santa Monica is requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms to prepare a program-level Environmental Impact Report for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project under the California Environmental Quality Act, with proposals due October 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and questions due October 19, 2026.

Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years of CEQA documentation experience and provide evidence of at least five relevant project examples completed within the last five years with contact verification. The scope covers preparation of an Initial Study and Notice of Preparation, conduct of public scoping meetings, analysis across 15 environmental issue areas including air quality, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, and transportation, preparation of a Draft EIR with responses to public comments, and attendance at up to 10 public meetings and hearings. The Final EIR is anticipated by June 2028.

The City requires Living Wage Ordinance compliance at a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for covered employees on contracts exceeding $54,200. Proposers must submit detailed cost proposals including hourly fee schedules with fringe benefits, indirect costs, and profit for all personnel, along with reimbursable expense schedules. The contract will be awarded for an initial term of one year with four one-year renewal options at the City's sole discretion.

Professional Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence or claim and $2,000,000 annual aggregate is mandatory, with coverage maintained for at least five years after work completion; all insurance policies must be placed with insurers authorized to conduct business in California and maintaining an A.M. Best rating of no less than A:VII.

Evaluation criteria weigh experience and technical competence (30 points), cost (20 points), stability and references (10 points), ability to meet work plan and timelines (20 points), and value add/breadth of services (20 points). The project is funded in part by $10,000,000 in Proposition 4 Climate Bond funds for planning and development of the Great Park. The project addresses conversion of 192 acres of airport land following planned closure of Santa Monica Airport on December 31, 2028.