November 18th, 2024

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Environmental Planning Services

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for

Environmental Planning Services

to develop a community-driven climate resilience plan for Wiscasset Waterfront

Introduction.

The Town of Wiscasset (hereinafter “Town”), acting as the lead agency, intends to retain a qualified environmental planning and engineering consultant(s) (hereinafter “Consultant”) to provide professional services (hereinafter “Project”) following the scope of services as outlined herein. The Town anticipates working with a single firm or consultant team but reserves the right to separate the scope of work based on proposals received. The Town has recently adopted a climate action resolution and continues to support climate activities. This project will help fulfill these goals by identifying the parts of our community most vulnerable to climate change and developing strategies for adaptation.

 

Background. The Town was awarded a community action grant through the community resilience partnership of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. The consultant’s proposal should not exceed $50,000.

Project Goals. We propose to support the facilitation of a community-driven climate resilience plan for Wiscasset’s waterfront, which will result in engineering plans for nature-based solutions at two priority areas: 1) the Town-owned Creamery Pier and 2) The Wiscasset Recreational and Commercial Piers.

Scope of Work

The Town of Wiscasset seeks proposals from qualified and experienced environmental planning and/ or engineering service providers with a specific background in developing community-driven climate resilience plans and conducting vulnerability assessments.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Host at least one facilitated public meeting in partnership with the Town’s climate committee, the Wiscasset Climate Action Team (WCAT), to discuss all possible options for waterfront climate resilience.

 

Waterfront Conceptual Designs

•  Collect relevant climate change and sea level rise data and projections and develop a summarized baseline and expected future conditions maps of the Wiscasset Creamery, Recreational, and Commercial Piers waterfront areas.
•  Design and participate in a waterfront resilience design charrette in partnership with WCAT, allowing community members to give input on design ideas and preferences.
•  Propose a suite of potential nature-based engineering solutions for the Wiscasset Creamery, Recreational, and Commercial Piers waterfront areas that consider community input and guidance from Town staff and WCAT.
•  Develop a community-driven, climate-resilient waterfront conceptual plan based on the most community-supported solution based on existing conditions, expected future conditions, and community input.
•  The selected community-driven climate-resilient waterfront conceptual plan solution will include pre-engineering plans and possible funding sources.
•  Host at least one public meeting in partnership with WCAT to collect community input on the proposed finalized engineering solutions.

 

Proposal Submittal Requirements

The Town of Wiscasset requires the submittal of four printed hard copies of the RFQ response and one electronic version of the RFQ response submitted via a flash drive (hand-delivered or mailed). To expedite and simplify proposal evaluation and ensure that each proposal receives the same orderly review, all proposals should adhere to the format described. All proposal sections and pages should be appropriately numbered, and no proposal should be more than 15 pages.

Submission of a proposal shall be conclusive evidence that the Respondent has investigated and is satisfied with the conditions to be encountered in performing the work.

All responses, documents, terms, and information related to the Respondent’s response to this RFQ shall be submitted with the response package before the submission deadline. No separate schedules, agreements, terms, conditions, etc., shall be recognized or accepted if not initially submitted with the response to this RFQ.

Proposals must include a table listing all sections, figures, and tables. Submitted proposals shall consist of the following:

Executive Summary, Company Overview, and Professional Qualifications. Include a brief introduction and executive summary of the significant facts or features of the proposal, including any conclusions, assumptions, and recommendations the consultant desires to make. The Executive Summary should be designed for review by a nontechnical audience and senior management.

 

Provide clear, descriptive information on the following:

1. The company’s background and history. Provide the name of the authorized office/representative for the company concerning negotiation and contractual matters.
2. Number of total personnel currently available for services described herein.
3. Provide names and resumes of the project lead or managers, qualifications, and experience of all staff anticipated to be involved in the project, including the project manager and technical staff.
4. The proposal shall identify the assigned project manager. He cannot be changed, replaced, or altered throughout the project unless the Town and the company agree.
5. Identify whether your company is a single source provider of professional services or if a subcontractor will be used. If a subcontractor will be used, please provide detailed information regarding the nature of the subcontracting work and descriptive information about the company, including its primary representative.

 References and Experience: Provide detailed descriptions of at least three

(3) references for similar projects, including but not limited to the organization,

name, contact person, address, telephone number and email address, date of initiation, contract status, and a brief overview of the services provided. The consultant agrees that the Town may contact the references given at the Town’s discretion.

Proposed Approach: The Town desires a consultant(s) with a minimum of

five (5) years of demonstrated experience with similar projects. Describe how the

consultant will be able to:

• facilitate identified community workshops,
• analyze climate change effects on infrastructure systems and communities,
• develop and prioritize adaptation strategies.

 The proposed approach should include identified tasks related to the scope of services, timeline, and outcomes.

Expected Project Timeline: Given the constraints of the project funding source and the Town’s interest in applying for additional GOPIF funding, the town needs the project to be completed before January 2026. Please describe the timeline the consultant will use to complete the project.

Cost Proposal: Please provide a clear, complete, and detailed cost schedule, including hours and labor rates, for each task listed in the scope of services in a separate sealed envelope.

Submittals Deadline: Please submit four printed hard copies of the RFQ response and one electronic version of the RFQ response submitted via a flash drive (hand-delivered or mailed) responding to all aspects of this RFQ, and a separate cost proposal in a sealed envelope marked "Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Environmental Planning Services" by Thursday, December 19th, 2024, at 4:00 PM. If the response is sent by mail or commercial express service, the Respondent shall be responsible for its delivery to the Town of Wiscasset before the deadline. All responses become the property of the Town of Wiscasset.

 

Send Response to:

 

Aaron Chrostowsky, Economic Development Director

Town of Wiscasset

51 Bath Road

Wiscasset, ME 04578

 

Contact for all Questions Relating to this RFQ

 

Aaron Chrostowsky, Economic Development Director

(207) 882-8200

economicdeveloper@wiscasset.org

 

Estimated Timeline:

RFQ Release Date:             Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Proposals Due:                    Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 4:00 PM

Project Award:                      Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Project Kick-off:                    week of January 13, 2025

 

Selection Process and Criteria:

Only proposals received before the deadline will be reviewed utilizing the information submitted within the Request for Qualifications. The Selection Committee will consist of representatives, including the Town Manager, Economic Development Director, Climate Action Team Chairperson, and a Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission representative.

They will review the proposals for completeness and scoring:

 

Category	Points allotted
Company Overview and Professional Qualifications	20
References and Experience	30
Proposed Approach	30
Expected Project Timeline	20

 

We may, at our discretion, conduct interviews with the top firms. Interviews may be in person or conducted electronically.

Based on the information available, a recommendation for one firm will be made to the Selectboard on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. After Selectboard authorization, the selected firm may begin the project. The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.

Thank you for considering this request for qualifications. We look forward to your response.