RFP Conservation Implementation Plan

Chatham County, North Carolina is requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms to prepare a Conservation Implementation Plan aligned with the 2017 Comprehensive Plan, Plan Chatham, with proposals due September 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Firms must demonstrate a proven track record preparing implementation plans with government entities. The scope comprises three primary tasks over a maximum 12-month project duration: Project Initiation & Implementation Framework (3 months), Research, Design & Draft Implementation Plan and Mapping Tool (4 months), and Final Implementation Plan and Conservation Prioritization Mapping Tool (3 months). The consultant will utilize the newly released Conservation Dashboard to identify unachieved conservation goals, develop a detailed implementation plan addressing feasibility and funding strategies, and build a conservation prioritization mapping tool to identify high-priority conservation areas in the County. The selected consultant must submit a specific timeline for all tasks and provide a detailed cost breakdown by task and deliverable, identifying which team member or subconsultant will perform each budget item.

Chatham County requires contractors to maintain commercial insurance: Worker's Compensation ($500,000 employer's liability minimum), Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 errors and omissions minimum), and Automobile Liability ($250,000 combined single limit minimum). Contractors and subcontractors must comply with North Carolina's E-Verify requirements and the Iran Divestment Act.

Evaluation criteria include general approach, demonstrated understanding of the project, relevant experience with comparable projects for local governments, project cost, timely performance capacity, and familiarity with Chatham County. The RFP Committee will begin reviewing proposals on September 21, 2026, with evaluation expected to conclude by October 2, 2026, and contract execution anticipated around October 26, 2026. Proposals must be submitted in electronic PDF format and three hard copies to Michele Peluso at the Chatham County Finance Office. Chatham County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and negotiate with any proposing vendors.