View the RFP here.

Introduction

Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) Construction Services department seeks to procure environmental review services related to federally funded rehabilitation projects. These rehabilitation projects are predominately single-family homes. The purpose of this RFP is to obtain proposals from qualified firms to provide environmental review services for a period of three years. These services are more fully described in Section 2 of this RFP. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00PM on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Scope of Services

The scope of services identified below is intended to help INHS identify specific environmental factors that may be encountered at individual project sites assisted by federal funds, to help protect people and the environment, and to ensure that the INHS is in compliance with applicable regulations. Applicable regulations and procedures are referenced or set forth in the following publication from the Housing Trust Fund Corporation Office of Community Renewal (OCR):

• Environmental Compliance Handbook available at: https://hcr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/02/ercompliancehandbook2020-02.pdf

Task 1 – Environmental Review

The consultant will conduct an environmental review for each individual project site completing the OCR site-specific Environmental Compliance Checklist, along with all required supporting documentation. Reviews must comply with OCR regulations and procedures.

Task 2 – Site Contamination Review

As part of the Environmental Review, the consultant will also conduct a site-specific environmental survey for each rehabilitation project, which includes a visual assessment of the property and surrounding properties. The exterior of all buildings and surrounding grounds will be examined where readily accessible and visible. The goal is to determine if there are any known hazards or contaminations on or near the subject site.

Deliverables

Deliverables for Task 1 – Environmental Review

• Prepare and submit site-specific reviews for each identified rehabilitation project utilizing the Environmental Compliance Checklist issued by federal programs and along with all required documentation as outlined in the Environmental Compliance Handbook to INHS.

Deliverables for Task 2 – Site Contamination Review

• Conduct a site-specific environmental survey. The purposeof the survey is to identify the presence or the likely presence of any environmental hazards on a property based on historical and current land uses that might pose health risks. Once the site-specific environmental survey is completed, the consultant will provide a summary of findings and a letter of determination based on those findings.  The letter must be signed by a qualified environmental professional as defined by ASTM 1527. The Site Contamination Review will be part of the overall Environmental Review (Task 1).

Proposal Format

Proposals may be mailed, dropped off at INHS’s main office or provided electronically as a Portable Document Format (pdf).

Proposals shall be submitted in the following format and sequence. All pages should be consecutively numbered.

Executive Summary
Provide an overview of the firm and how it will approach the project. List the contact information for the person responsible for submitting the proposal and responding to any questions.

Project Experience & Capacity
Describe how the firm has the experience and capacity to complete the tasks in a professional and timely manner. Summarize relevant prior work experience and provide contact information for previous clients. Clearly describe any subcontracting or partnering arrangements.

Key Personnel
Identify all key personnel involved in performing the work for each task. Attach resumes and professional qualifications and certifications for key personnel including subcontractors and partners. At minimum, key personnel shall include the overall project manager and an environmental professional (as defined by ASTM 1527).

Approach & Methodology
Provide a clear and straightforward work plan that demonstrates an understanding of the OCR environmental regulations, policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Propose schedules for completing each Task once a notice of proceed is received from INHS.

MWBE or SDVOB
If the firm is a New York State-certified MWBE or SDVOB firm, provide documentation evidencing registration. If the firm is partnering or subcontracting with an MWBE or SDVOB firm, clearly describe the relationship and provide documentation for the firm.

Price
Provide a price proposal in a table format that clearly demonstrates that the firm is providing the best value for INHS and INHS clients. The actual number of projects varies from year-to-year. The following estimates can be used as a guide:

Unit/individual prices shall be provided for each Task. The proposal must clearly demonstrate how and why the price proposal provides the best value for INHS clients. All prices must be fixed for three years beginning December 15, 2020. INHS is currently working with rehabilitation funding for Tompkins, Tioga, Schuyler, Seneca, and Chemung Counties. Because our services area is quite large, we understand that there may be an additional mileage charge for some or all of the reviews. Please indicate under what circumstances you would charge mileage.

Submission Deadline

Proposals must be submitted by 4:00PM on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Any proposals received after this time will not be reviewed.

Submit to:

Loralee Morrow
Construction Services
115 W. Clinton St.
Ithaca, NY 14850

lmorrow@ithacanhs.org
(607) 277-4500 ex. 223

Proposal Evaluation

INHS will evaluate each proposal and select the firm that is the “best fit” for INHS and the proposed work. Proposals will be checked against minimum qualifications. Proposals meeting the minimum requirements will be scored against the following selection criteria which will be used to guide the selection process:

INHS reserves the right to not award any contracts, award contracts to multiple firms, or only award contracts for certain Tasks. The target date for selection is December 15, 2020.

Questions

Questions related to this RFP should be directed to Loralee Morrow at lmorrow@ithacanhs.org.