RFQ: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment

The City of Central in Gilpin County, Colorado, has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for an affordable housing project. The procurement seeks qualified environmental consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive assessment of approximately 20 parcels of historic mining land located between Nevada Street, Nevadaville Road, Academy Street, and Spruce Street. The site contains visible mine tailings, open pits, and remnants of building structures, requiring a detailed environmental evaluation. Proposals are due by October 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with an anticipated project start date of November 1, 2025. The City plans to select a contractor on October 23, 2025, and requires the successful firm to prepare a combined PDF report covering all parcels in the designated area. Evaluation criteria will include relevant experience, project team qualifications, methodology, and cost-effectiveness. Firms must demonstrate expertise in conducting environmental assessments on historic mining properties and provide a comprehensive analysis of potential environmental risks and challenges.

The RFQ does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract requires the selected contractor to maintain substantial insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability, $1,000,000 in automobile liability, statutory workers' compensation, and $1,000,000 in professional liability insurance. While a specific budget is not explicitly stated, the contract indicates that the project budget will be negotiated with the selected firm. The proposal must remain valid for 120 days from the submission deadline, and the City reserves the right to accept or reject any proposals in the best interest of the city. The Nevada Village Map provided with the RFQ suggests the parcels range from 0.25 to 2.98 acres in size, which may impact the scope and complexity of the environmental assessment. Potential respondents should carefully review the detailed map and project requirements to develop a comprehensive and competitive proposal for the environmental site assessment.