RFP for Delineation of Critical Dunes Project

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Water Resource Division issued a Request for Proposal on August 1, 2024, to procure professional contractor services for the delineation of critical dune areas throughout Michigan. The project requires comprehensive mapping and GIS work to update the 1989 Atlas of Critical Dunes using modern high-resolution LiDAR and aerial imagery, with deliverables including ecosystem inventories, field investigations, statistical analyses, and detailed reports. Key objectives encompass correcting and updating existing atlas data, designating high-quality dune systems not currently classified as critical dune areas (particularly along Lake Huron), and de-designating existing critical dune areas lacking diversity, quality, functions, and values. Qualified contractors must demonstrate expertise in GIS analysis, ecosystem inventorying, field investigation methodologies, and technical report preparation, with the work plan to be organized into six distinct task categories: work plan development, methodology development, field investigation, delineation, report preparation, and data management. The evaluation criteria allocate 30 points to Statement of Work requirements, 30 points to key personnel qualifications, 20 points to project plan quality, and 20 points to vendor questionnaire responses, with proposals scoring 80 or more points advancing to pricing evaluation. Critical deadlines include August 12, 2024, for bidder questions, August 14, 2024, for posted answers, and August 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern for proposal submission. The anticipated contract effective date is September 10, 2024, with an initial one-year term through September 9, 2025, and renewal options for up to two additional one-year periods at the State's discretion.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials, and no specific existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are detailed. Pricing must be submitted in a firm, fixed format for the entire contract term, broken down by task and organized by cost categories including personnel and fringe, equipment and supplies, travel, contractual services, and other expenses; contractors will receive reimbursement for actual services provided on a quarterly basis via electronic funds transfer. The RFP includes notable financial penalties for non-compliance, including liquidated damages of $5,000 plus $100 per day for late or improper completion and service level agreement penalties of $100 for the first five non-compliance occurrences and $500 thereafter. Contractors must maintain specified insurance coverage of $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $1,000,000 automobile liability, and workers' compensation in accordance with applicable law. While the Michigan Legislature appropriated funds specifically for this delineation effort in 2024, no total contract value or budget range is disclosed in the RFP documentation.