REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL/ QUALIFICATIONS
Implementation of the EPA Brownfields Multipurpose Grant River Heritage Conservancy Award Number BF00E03577
Overview
River Heritage Conservancy (“RHC) was awarded a United States Environmental Protection Agency ("USEPA") Multipurpose Brownfields Grant to implement cleanup and assessments activities for the Origin Park Ohio Riverfront Project ("Project") from October 2023-August 2028. This project will allow RHC, located within Clark County, Indiana, to complete work associated with brownfield sites that have been identified by the nonprofit River Heritage Conservancy as within the footprint of a new 430-acre world-class riverfront park. This Request for Qualifications ("RFQ") will result in the selection of a consultant or consultant team to support this project.
The southern Indiana Town of Clarksville (pop. 21,336) is located on the north bank of the Ohio River, directly across from Louisville, Kentucky and is part of the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan area (pop. 1.3M). The unique ecological setting of the West Ohio Riverfront in Clarksville has shaped the environmental and cultural history of the region. From the 400-millionyear-old Devonian Era fossil beds to the migratory route of the bison, the diverse ecology attracted prehistoric tribes over 12,000 years ago. The park is in Clarksville, which was the first American settlement in the Northwest Territory. The beautiful setting inspired George Rogers Clark to build a cabin on an elevated bluff in the area in 1784. It is also the departure site where the full Lewis and Clark Expedition launched on their way to explore the Louisiana Purchase and beyond (1803). During the 19th century, the town’s riverfront was heavily industrialized. Mills for flour, wood, and cement populated the riverfront and its tributaries. The Targeted Area contains some of the most significant cultural, historical, environmental, and recreational resources found anywhere on the Ohio River. Preserving history and the ecology of the Targeted Area is a core culture of the Town's residents.
Project Summary: The Brownfields Multipurpose Grant will allow River Heritage Conservancy Inc. (RHC) to conduct comprehensive community outreach, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Phase II ESAs, develop Cleanup Plans, and remediate sites. Remediating these brownfields will mitigate the impact these sites pose on the proximal sensitive populations, water and air quality, endangered species, and riverine ecosystems. The cultural/heritage amenities that will be added by redeveloping these sites into Origin Park will reinforce the community’s cultural identity, history, and heritage as well as promote health and wellness in the Targeted Area. Origin Park is a sustainable approach to regenerate ecology along a 3-mile stretch of the Ohio River with 50 acres of new urban forest, 150 acres of new meadow and savanna, and 250 acres of enhanced and protected urban forest. The concentration of brownfield revitalization in the Targeted Area is RHC’s overriding concern for the health and welfare concern of its surrounding community. Remediating the brownfields will mitigate the impact these sites pose on the proximal sensitive populations, water and air quality, endangered species, and ecosystems. The expected outcome is to reinforce cultural identity, history, and heritage as well as promote health and wellness in the Targeted Area with the redevelopment of the area as Origin Park.
Background
For this project, the Targeted Area encompasses Census Tract 504.01 (a certified Opportunity Zone (OZ)). It is bound on the south by the Ohio River, Silver Creek to the west, Highway US 31/I-65 to the east, and SR 62 to the north. Targeted Area residents live in modest neighborhoods adjacent to 430 acres of brownfields consisting of junkyards, auto salvage, recycling, open dumps, and other industrial uses. Schools are located just blocks away from the Targeted Area. Many of these brownfields are magnets for vandalism, crime, illicit drug use, and the homeless population. Since 2011, the Town of Clarksville has slowly acquired and rapidly assessed unsafe brownfields sites for the development of the iconic urban ORIGIN Park on the Ohio River. The EPA Funding offered by this grant is critical for continued assessment and cleanup of these waterfront lands to deter resident exposure to contaminants and minimize contaminant releases to the Ohio River and to Silver Creek, and our diverse ecological habitats. Transformation of the area will reconnect the Town with its riverfront heritage as well as the significant cultural and civic assets for the region.
Description of the Priority Brownfields Sites: RHC has identified 30 existing and potential brownfields (former manufacturing plants, salvage yards, open dumps) in the 430-acre Targeted Area. Previous environmental assessments conducted across the Targeted Area have found environmental contaminants that include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, zinc and other pollutants in the soil, groundwater, and sediments. Many of these sites are located 2-3 blocks from neighborhoods where exposure can potentially affect the health and welfare of residents, particularly sensitive populations, through direct contact, ingestion, and inhalation of contaminants. Assessment and cleanup of the Priority Sites is a critical component of our strategy to transform the formerly industrialized Clarksville riverfront into Origin Park. The riverfront transformation to the regional Origin Park is part of a long-term strategy being implemented for the priority sites described below. All priority sites are either owned by the Town or will be owned by the Town or the River Heritage Conservancy by 2023.
Scope of Work
RHC is seeking professional services of a consultant or consultant team to complete the following Scope of Work in compliance with USEPA requirements. The contract will be based upon a professional services agreement and is contingent upon receipt of EPA grant funding in Award No. BF00E03577. The Contract will not exceed specified administrative activities related to completion of the scope of work.
Services and Deliverables
Task 1: PROGRAMMATIC AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The RHC Team is responsible for:
• Generating the Work Plan required for executing the Cooperative Agreement (CA.)
• Setting up and maintaining the Grant project tracking and financial systems.
• Monitoring Compliance with Cooperative Agreement Terms.
• Retaining a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) in compliance with applicable
federal procurement regulations.
• Submitting quarterly reports to the U.S. EPA.
• Setting up and updating the Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment Exchange System
(ACRES).
• Submitting MBE/WBE/DBE reports and final project closeout documentation.
• Developing Community Outreach Materials/Press Releases for Social Media outlets,
local media outlets, RHC’s Facebook Page, and RHC’s and partner’s websites. RHC
expects up to 20 Public/Outreach meetings will be conducted through a mix of virtual
and live events.
• Requesting assistance from the County or State health departments as appropriate to
understand and prioritize health risks at brownfield sites as needed.
The QEP will be responsible to:
• Develop technical outreach materials and support technical reporting needed for outreach.
TASK 2: SITE ASSESSMENT
The QEP has specific education and experience required for complying with All Appropriate Inquiry; the QEP will lead this activity and be responsible for:
• Preparing and submitting a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for U.S. EPA for approval.
• Conducting Phase I and/or Phase II assessments in accordance with All Appropriate Inquiry standards/practices as required by the project.
• Conducting assessments on Targeted Area sites and issue reports.
RHC will be responsible for:
• Arranging site access for all site assessment activities and prioritizing sites to meet needs of Origin Park development.
• Reviewing reports for accuracy and overseeing QEP to ensure individual assessments are progressing, and the overall project schedule is met.
TASK 3: CLEANUP PLANNING
The QEP will lead this Task and be responsible for:
• Developing Cleanup Plans conducted in accordance with the IDEM, IBP, and any additional State programs for approval to support redevelopment plans for overall ORIGIN park design.
• Developing the Assessment of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) to evaluate needed institutional and engineering controls.
• Coordinating agencies and necessary approvals for work to proceed.
RHC will be responsible to:
• Identify potential clean-up resources to leverage towards cleanup of the sites that include blight clearance/demolition and other sources as mentioned.
TASK 4: REMEDIATION
The QEP will lead this Task and be responsible for:
• Implementing current cleanup plans for 2 of the priority sites (Cab-Ex and Marr’s Landfill) that are already in the IDEM review process for recreational reuse of the site. Replacement of clean soils and/or dense aggregate cap to protect the environment will follow.
• Reducing disposal costs by segregating hazardous soils from non-hazardous soils.
• Collecting additional samples (using assessment grant funds) to further delineate the areas/fill requiring excavation-all dependent upon construction designs for Origin Park.
• Developing HASP to apply to all personnel on-site during remediation.
• Preparing bid documents for proposed excavation including dust/erosion controls and temporary site fencing; soliciting bids from qualified contractors; overseeing contractors.
• Excavating soil, segregating soil and waste characterization of excavated materials to determine landfill disposal options.
• Transporting soils to approved landfill for disposal.
• Placing clean soil or dense aggregate cap in remediation area.
• Confirmatory sampling.
• Preparing final reports and development of institutional controls/engineering controls for environmental covenants for submittal to the IDEM.
• Recording the Environmental Covenant as part of the Deed.
Consultant Criteria
Participating consultants shall demonstrate capacity to meet the following minimum requirements:
• Consultant has at least one (1) full-time Indiana licensed professional geologist in good standing on staff.
• Consultant has at least one (1) full-time Indiana professional engineer in good standing on staff.
• Consultant has at least one (1) full-time Environmental Professional as defined in the current ASTM Standard.
• Consultant has a minimum of ten (10) years' professional engineering or professional geological experience.
• Consultant must have a minimum of $1,000 in Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance and $1,000,000 in General Liability Insurance.
• Consultant required to be knowledgeable in all applicable federal and State of Indiana environmental regulations relating to environmental assessments and remediation.
• Consultant shall use properly accredited analytical laboratories capable of performing the required tests to support professionals engaged in environmental projects.
• Consultant shall have significant experience in revitalization and redevelopment projects for municipalities and institutions. The selected qualified firm may be retained to perform the specific project/tasks outlined below and/or other related tasks.
• Consultant shall illustrate an understanding of the project area, including stakeholders and other project participants.
• Consultant shall have planning and facilitation experience, ideally through USEPA funded projects, if possible.
• Consultant must have appropriate professional licensure, certifications, and experience to complete this work in the State of Indiana.
• Consultant must agree to comply with the current EPA general terms and conditions related to the grant award.
• Consultant must agree to comply with requirements of EPA's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for procurement activities.
• Consultant(s) must show ability to provide abatement and remediation services, as needed. These services must be anticipated, as the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a Scope of Work item, as outlined below.
RFQ Submission Requirements
1. Cover Letter not to exceed one page, signed by an individual(s) authorized to bind the Respondent contractually. The cover letter must include the name, title, address, email address, and telephone number of one or more individuals who can respond to requests for additional information. Limit Submission to 15 pages maximum (not including the Cover Letter).
2. Provide an organizational chart for the proposed project team. Include summaries and resumes of at least three (3) key project personnel, with emphasis being placed on experience that will be directly applicable to this contract. Attach one-page resumes for each person.
3. RHC reserves the right to reject any key personnel proposed if determined to be in its best interest. All key personnel must be committed to the project at all applicable times. Qualifications and experience of key personnel shall be factored into the evaluation process; therefore, key personnel shall not be replaced without the approval of RHC. Any approved substitutions for personnel shall be of equal or better qualifications.
4. Provide a summary (not to exceed two pages) describing your general approach and experience with brownfields projects. Please include your experience in developing and maintaining the Administrative Record with respect to clean-up planning/remediation as well as complying with Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Terms associated with remediation of hazardous and petroleum contaminants.
5. Experience with the Environmental Protection Agency, especially within Indiana, is an advantage but not a requirement.
6. Include resources and staffing that your firm will provide directly and those to be subcontracted. If subcontractors are known, include their role, contact name, business name, address, and contact phone number.
7. If your firm is a Minority or Women's Business Enterprise, please attach evidence of the certification. If Minority or Women's Business Enterprise firms (MBE/WBE) are to be included in the project team, please attach a one-page letter from each firm indicating their desire to be included in the project team and a very general statement of the scope of service they will provide if the team is selected.
8. Provide an estimated time schedule to address the types of tasks and the person(s) performing the tasks in the form of a Gant Chart or detailed timeline.
9. Provide one-page descriptions of three projects which best show the capability of the proposed team to provide the services required under this RFQ. Include a reference, phone number, and email address for each project. Clearly state the role of the people listed in the Organizational Management portion for each project listed in this RFQ. The work described must have been performed within the past five (5) years. None of the projects shall be for a confidential client and no more than one may be from the same client.
10. Please provide a minimum of three references for which the firm has conducted the required project deliverables outlined above in the scope of service and deliverables portion.
11. Please provide a cost/price proposal for completing the stated scope of work.
Selection Criteria (Maximum of 100 points total possible)
• Documentation supports strong background of firm and personnel in environmental consulting — 10 points
• Organizational Chart & experience of key project personnel supports strong background/knowledge of environmental consulting in the State of Indiana — 10 points
• Positive past performance, based on provided references and/or past projects — 10 points
• Inclusion of Minority &/or Women's Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) and explanation of how MBE/WBEs will be involved— 5 points
• Cost/price proposal is reasonable – 20 points
• Documentation supports strong background, understanding, and experience of key project personnel with brownfields projects — 10 points
• Description provided of three previous projects that reflect the abilities and experience of proposed team to carry out the required services — 10 points
• Documentation clearly supports competency necessary to conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, cleanup planning, and possible additional related services — 10 points
• Documentation clearly supports understanding of brownfields, RHC priorities, and is clearly reflected in approach to the organization’s Community Outreach and Community Relations Plans —20 points
Solicitation Schedule: Important Dates
• Proposed Date of RFQ Issued: 8/16/23
• Questions Due: 8/23/23
• Submissions Due: 9/16/23
• Notification of Intent to Award: 9/24/23 (Estimated)
• Contract Start Date: 10/1/23 (Estimated)
Written questions shall be submitted to Grants Manager Kristin Faurest at kristin@riverheritageconservancy.org.
Proposal Submission Requirements
• Submit three (3) physical copies of the RFQ and one (1) electronic copy of the RFQ by email to:
River Heritage Conservancy
Susan Rademacher, Executive Director
129 E. Court Ave. Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
Srad@riverheritageconservancy.org
• RHC shall bear no responsibility for submitting responses on behalf of any respondent. Respondent(s) may submit their responses at any time prior to the stated deadline.