Wetland Mitigation Credit and Cost for the South Veterans Parkway

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is seeking to procure wetland mitigation credits for the South Veterans Parkway (SVP) project through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The procurement aims to satisfy United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requirements under the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process. Specifically, SDDOT desires to purchase credits from a USACE-permitted commercial mitigation bank or In-Lieu-Fee (ILF) program located in the Lower Big Sioux Geographic Service Area. The required credits are detailed in the RFP's Scope of Work, with a total mitigation need of 34.2 credits in 2023, 136.8 credits in 2024, 74.5 credits in 2025, and 54.3 credits in 2026. Vendors must provide a cost proposal demonstrating credit availability and pricing per credit. The RFP was posted on May 5, 2023, with proposals due by May 26, 2023, and an anticipated award decision and contract negotiation scheduled for June 2, 2023. The contract will extend through December 31, 2026, covering four project phases, and SDDOT anticipates purchasing credits from multiple providers to fulfill the total mitigation requirements.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, nor does it provide details about disadvantaged enterprise participation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are mentioned in the available documentation. The procurement appears to be open to qualified USACE-permitted commercial mitigation banks or In-Lieu-Fee programs that can provide wetland credits in the specified geographic service area. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the credit requirements suggest a significant financial commitment, with potential total credit procurement approaching 300 credits over the four-year project timeline. The contract will be executed in Harding County, South Dakota, and is part of a broader infrastructure development project for the South Veterans Parkway. Interested vendors must demonstrate their ability to supply the required wetland mitigation credits in accordance with USACE regulations and the specific project requirements outlined in the RFP.