2025 Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Projects in Multiple River Basins

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP 16-1675051176) titled "2025 Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Projects in Multiple River Basins." This solicitation, posted on October 15, 2025, with proposals due by March 10, 2026, seeks competitive bids for implementing nature-based flood mitigation solutions in six North Carolina river basins: Cape Fear, French Broad, Lumber, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and White Oak. The contract focuses on employing natural infrastructure approaches to reduce peak flood flows and increase flood storage capacity, supporting statutory requirements under North Carolina General Statutes and addressing community resilience against flooding. The scope includes site identification, conceptual design, monitoring, reporting, and compliance with environmental screening, permitting, and state and federal regulations. Deliverables must document environmental screening, secure landowner authorizations, provide monitoring plans with measurable outcomes, and generate performance and compliance reports in accordance with established guidelines. Evaluation of proposals emphasizes a best value approach with a trade-off process considering technical approach, pricing, vendor experience, project organization, and references. The award will prioritize overall value rather than lowest price or highest technical score alone. Vendors are required to submit complete responses electronically as a single PDF, including attachments covering pricing, vendor instructions, terms and conditions, HUB vendor information, and certifications. Special contract requirements include compliance with nondiscrimination laws and executive orders, affirmative action, no enforcement of non-compete agreements against State employment, and allowance for state ownership of deliverables upon termination. Contract administration involves payment within 30 days of invoicing with no specified payment office detailed, and acceptance is at the State’s discretion upon inspection to ensure compliance with contract specifications and industry standards. Vendors must disclose subcontractor use and worker locations, including any outside the United States. While formal Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses are not specifically enumerated, the contract incorporates typical provisions on delivery, inspection, and legal compliance tailored to this state procurement effort.