Urban Forestry Master Plan

The City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is requesting proposals for development of the city's first Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), with proposals due June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM. The selected firm will create a comprehensive, data-driven plan to guide long-term management, health, and sustainability of Chesapeake's urban tree canopy.

Key deliverables include a public tree inventory for city-owned property with species, size, GPS location, condition ratings, and hazard assessments; an interactive GIS-based public-facing map; management and maintenance recommendations; identification of vacant planting sites; ecosystem service quantification; a draft tree preservation ordinance; and resilience strategies addressing invasive species and climate adaptation. The firm must conduct two community engagement events and present findings to City Council.

Proposers must demonstrate proven experience developing Urban Forestry Master Plans or comparable municipal plans for cities of similar size and complexity. Key staff must hold ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Municipal Specialist, or ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist credentials. Minimum qualifications include documented experience performing comprehensive tree inventories, GIS-based analyses, creating interactive digital tools, drafting policy language, and collaborating with local governments on community engagement.

The contract runs for two years from the date of execution with no renewal options. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: Experience and Qualifications (25%), Specialized Experience of Key Project Team Members (25%), Record of Timely and Cost-Effective Performance (15%), Quality of Previous Work (15%), Meeting the City's Service Needs (10%), and Overall Proposal Quality and Completeness (10%). The City will conduct individual discussions with at least two qualified offerors before award. All hourly rates must be fully burdened. The firm must carry commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and comply with Virginia procurement regulations. Questions are due May 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Proposal evaluation is scheduled for June 24, 2026, with contract award on July 22, 2026.