Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) RFP 3000021929

5 will conduct a coastwide comprehensive data collection effort necessary to enhance the analysis, evaluation and effectiveness of Louisiana’s coastal restoration projects at the project, region and coastwide levels. 1.4 Term of Contract The term of any contract resulting from this RFP shall begin on or about March 1, 2024 and is anticipated to end on February 28, 2027. The State shall have the right to contract for up to thirty-six (36) months with the concurrence of the Contractor and all appropriate approvals. With all proper approvals and concurrence with the successful Contractor, the Agency may also exercise an option to extend for up to twenty-four (24) additional months at the same rates, or a negotiated maximum amount of a 2% increase for each of the hourly labor and daily equipment rates on the Contractor’s Negotiated Required Rate Schedule, terms and conditions of the initial contract term. Prior to the extension of the contract beyond the initial thirty-six (36) month

term, approval by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB) or other approval authorized by law shall be obtained. Such written evidence of JLCB approval shall be submitted, along with the contract amendment to the Office of State Procurement (OSP) to extend contract terms beyond the initial three (3) year term. The total contract term, with extensions, shall not exceed five (5) years. The continuation of the Contract is contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the legislature to fulfill the requirements of the Contract. 1.5 Definitions Agency Any department, commission, council, board, office, bureau, committee, institution, agency, government, corporation, or other establishment of the executive branch of this State authorized to participate in any contract resulting from this solicitation. Contractor Any person having a contract with a governmental body; the selected Proposer. CIMS Coastal Information Management System CPRA Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority CRMS Coastwide Reference Monitoring System CWPPRA Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Program Discussions For the purposes of this RFP, a formal, structured means of conducting written or oral communications/presentations with responsible Proposers who submit proposals in response to this RFP. DOA Division of Administration May and Can The terms “may” and “can” denote an advisory or permissible action. MRHDMS Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study OSP Office of State Procurement Proposer A firm or individual who responds to this RFP. 6 QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control RFP Request for Proposal RSET Rod Surface Elevation Table Shall, Will and Must Shall, Will and Must – The terms “shall”, “will”, and “must” denote mandatory requirements. Should The term “should” denotes a desirable action. State The term “State” shall mean the State of Louisiana and its departments, agencies (including the Using Agency), boards, and commissions as well as their officers, agents, servants, employees, and volunteers. SWAMP System Wide Assessment Monitoring Program Using Agency The term “Using Agency” shall mean the governmental body of the State (including any authorized users) which is procuring any supplies, services, or major repairs, or any professional, personal, consulting, or social services under this Contract pursuant to the Louisiana Procurement Code, La. R.S. 39:1551- 1755. 1.6 Schedule of Events Event Date RFP advertised in newspapers and posted to LaPAC October 10, 2023 Deadline for receipt of written inquiries October 20, 2023 @ 3:00 PM Deadline to answer written inquiries October 31, 2023 Deadline for receipt of proposals November 10, 2023 @ 3:00 PM Oral Presentations if Requested Week of December 4, 2023 Notice of Intent to award announcement, and 14-day protest period begins, on or about January 8, 2023 Contract execution, on or about March 1, 2024 NOTE: The State of Louisiana reserves the right to revise this schedule. Revisions, if any, before the Proposal Submission Deadline will be formalized by the issuance of an addendum to the RFP. 1.7 Proposal Submittal Firms or individuals who are interested in providing services requested under this RFP must submit a proposal containing the mandatory information specified throughout the RFP. The Proposal must be received in hard copy (printed) version by the RFP Coordinator on or before the date and time specified in the Schedule of Events or as adjusted by Addenda. FAX or e-mail submissions 7 shall not be acceptable. Proposers mailing or delivering their proposals should allow sufficient mail delivery time to ensure receipt of their proposal by the time specified. The proposal package must be delivered at the Proposer's expense to: Gloria Tigner, RFP Coordinator Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority 150 Terrace Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225-342-5023 The responsibility solely lies with each Proposer to ensure their proposal is delivered at the specified place and prior to the deadline for submission. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. 1.8 Qualifications for Proposer 1.8.1 Mandatory Qualifications: There are no mandatory qualifications that must be met by Proposers. 1.8.2 Desirable Qualifications: It is desirable that Proposer’s proposed staff should meet the following qualifications prior to the deadline for receipt of proposals. Proposed staff member(s) with multiple areas of expertise may satisfy more than one of these qualifications: 1. Program Manager  A bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years professional experience in program/project management involving multifaceted operations. 2. Principal Environmental Scientist  A Ph.D. or master’s degree in biological sciences, coastal resource management, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field and should have seven (7) years of experience monitoring coastal systems, including marsh, swamp, ridge, and/or barrier island habitats. 3. Technical Consultant  A plant biologist with 1) a Ph.D. or master’s degree in botany, plant sciences, or a related field or 2) a bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Five (5) years of experience identifying vegetation in marsh, swamp and barrier island habitats and along the Gulf Coast, preferably in Louisiana. 4. Senior Environmental Scientist  The Proposer’s proposed staff should possess each of the following areas of expertise.  A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, chemistry, coastal resource management, 8 ecology, engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, geosciences, marine science, oceanography, wetland management, wildlife and/or fisheries, or a related field.  Five (5) years of experience in hydrologic monitoring. Should be knowledgeable of hydrologic monitoring equipment, methods, troubleshooting and maintenance.  Five (5) years of experience in vegetative sampling techniques and identification.  Five (5) years of experience in sediment sampling techniques. Should be knowledgeable of wetland soil types and sediment properties.  Five (5) years of experience measuring vertical elevation and accretion in coastal environments. Should be knowledgeable of geomorphological processes occurring along Louisiana’s coast.  Note: Principal Environmental Scientist or Environmental Scientist 3 may alternately fulfill one or more of the above requirements, depending on their areas of expertise. 5. Project Manager  A bachelor’s degree or higher in biological sciences, chemistry, coastal resource management, ecology, engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, geosciences, marine science, oceanography, wetland management, wildlife and/or fisheries, or a related field with five (5) years of project management experience in a related field.  A master’s degree in any of the qualifying fields will substitute for one year of the experience and a Ph.D. will substitute for two (2) years of the experience. 6. Project Controls Manager  One (1) year of experience in financial management. 7. Environmental Scientist 3  A bachelor’s degree or higher in biological sciences, chemistry, coastal resource management, ecology, engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, geosciences, marine science, oceanography, wetland management, wildlife and/or fisheries, or a related field with six (6) years of experience in a related field.  A master’s degree in any of the qualifying fields will substitute for one ( 1 ) year of the experience and a Ph.D. will substitute for two years of the experience. 8. Environmental Scientist 2  A bachelor’s degree or higher in biological sciences, chemistry, coastal resource management, ecology, engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, geosciences, marine science, oceanography, wetland management, wildlife and/or fisheries, or a related field with three (3) years of experience in a related field. 9 9. Environmental Scientist 1  A bachelor’s degree or higher in biological sciences, chemistry, coastal resource management, ecology, engineering, environmental sciences, forestry, geosciences, marine science, oceanography, wetland management, wildlife and/or fisheries, or related field. 10. Field Technician  One (1) year of experience in the navigation of water vessels, including airboats when required, in coastal marsh, swamp and barrier island habitats, often in challenging weather conditions. 11. Administrative/Clerical  One (1) year of experience in administrative and clerical support. 1.9 Proposal Response Format Proposals submitted for consideration should follow the format and order of presentation described below: Proposers shall respond to this RFP with Volume I: Technical Proposal, Volume II: Financial Information, and Volume III: Cost Proposal. Proposers are encouraged to submit proposals in a concise, orderly fashion that includes complete, appropriate comment, documentation, and submittals to address the RFP requirements. 1.9.1 Cover Letter A cover letter should be submitted on the Proposer's official business letterhead explaining the intent of the Proposer. 1.9.2 Table of Contents This section services to reference significant section headings and page numbers of the Proposal. 1.9.3 Executive Summary This section serves to introduce the scope of the Proposal. It should include an Executive Summary with administrative information including the Proposer’s contact name and phone number. It should include the stipulation that the Proposal is valid for a time period of at least 90 calendar days from the date of submission. This section should also include a summary of the Proposer's qualifications and ability to meet the State Agency's overall requirements in the timeframes set by the Agency. 10 The executive summary should include a positive statement of compliance with the contract terms, as provided in the Sample Contract, Attachment III. If the Proposer cannot comply with any of the contract terms, an explanation of each exception should be supplied. The Proposer should address the specific language in the Sample Contract, Attachment III and submit whatever exceptions or exact contract modifications that its firm may seek. While final wording will be resolved during contract negotiations, the intent of the provisions will not be substantially altered; nor is CPRA obligated to incorporate suggested contract revisions. 1.10 Volume I: Technical Proposal 1.10.1 Company Background and Experience Proposers should respond to the following:  Proposers should give a brief description of their company, including brief history, corporate or organization structure, and number of years in business.  Proposers should provide a detailed discussion of their prior experience in working on projects similar in size, scope, and function to the proposed Scope of Services.  Proposers should describe their experience in other states or in corporate and governmental entities of comparable size and diversity with references from previous clients including names and telephone numbers.  Proposers should clearly describe their ability to meet or exceed the qualifications described in Section 1.8, Qualifications for Proposer. 1.10.2 Approach and Methodology Proposals should include enough information to satisfy evaluators that the Proposer has the appropriate experience, knowledge and qualifications to perform the Scope of Services as described herein. Proposers should respond to all requested areas: The Proposer should:  Provide Proposers understanding of the nature of the Scope of Services (Part 2) and how the Proposer will best meet the needs of the State agency.  Describe a functional approach to provide the services outlined in the Scope of Services (Part 2).  Describe a functional approach in responding to task requests to meet agency requirements.  Describe an approach to Project Management and Quality Assurance.  Provide a sample proposed Project Work Plan that reflects the approach and methodology, tasks and services to be performed, deliverables, timetables and staffing.