RFQ - Annual Wetland and Stream Services

LEWIS COUNTY NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS FOR: Request for Proposal (RFP) Annual Wetland and Stream Services Lewis County Department of Public Works (County) is soliciting Statements of Qualification (SOQs) from qualified consultant firms with expertise who wish to be evaluated and considered to provide Countywide Annual Wetland and Stream Services. The consultant will provide wetland and stream services as County projects are a scheduled or as circumstances emerge that require professional wetland and stream services. This will include but is not limited to upcoming Rural Arterial Program (RAP) funded projects, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded projects, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded projects, and Lewis County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects. The agreement(s) will be for one (1) year in duration with an option to extend for an additional year by mutual agreement. The agreement amount is not anticipated to exceed $100,000. If necessary, the agreement may be supplemented for additional time and/or money by mutual agreement. The selected CONSULTANT will be expected to enter into a Local Agency A&E Professional Services (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) Consultant Agreement. Lewis County reserves the right to amend the terms of this “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFQ at any time, regardless of how much time and effort consultants have spent on their responses. Project Description The County has one (1) upcoming project, the Blue Crk at Spencer Fish Habitat Restoration Design that has received funds from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, administered through the Recreation and Conservation Office. Additionally, the County has numerous upcoming projects which are receiving funds from FEMA as well as projects proposed to receive funds from RCO which may require delineation of wetlands or other waters. See Vicinity Map (Figure 1). Blue Crk at Spencer Fish Habitat Restoration Design (PRISM #21-1138) will include the development of designs for sediment management and fish passage improvements along Blue Crk from river mile (RM) 0.97 to 1.73. Work will occur within and adjacent to Blue Creek near Ethel, WA; legal description Township 12 North Range 1 East, Section 30. Ripple Creek at Haywire Fish Passage Design (PRISM #25-1074)/ Haywire Rd MP 2.55 and 2.40 Culvert Replacements will include the replacement of two culverts with a fish passable structures. Work will occur within and adjacent to Ripple Creek near Napavine, WA; legal description Township 13 North, Range 2 West, Sections 29 and 32, Willamette Meridian. Point Hill Creek at Wildwood Fish Passage Design (PRISM #23-1785)/Wildwood Rd MP 7.902 Culvert Replacement will include the replacement of a culvert with a fish passable structure. Work will occur in and adjacent to Point Hill Creek near Boistfort, WA; legal description Township 12 North, Range 3 West, Section 31, Willamette Meridian. Boone Creek at Park Fish Passage Design (PRISM #23-1790)/Park Rd MP 0.00 Culvert Replacement will include the replacement of a culvert with a fish passable structure and channel realignment. Work will occur in and adjacent to Boone Creek near Winlock, WA; legal description Township 12 North, Range 1 West, Sections 16 and 21, Willamette Meridian. Boone Creek at Jackson Hwy Fish Passage Design (PRISM #23-1789)/Jackson Hwy MP 11.736 Culvert Replacement will include the replacement of a culvert with a fish passable structure. Work will occur in and adjacent to Boone Creek near Winlock, WA; legal description Township 12 North, Range 1 West, Section 21, Willamette Meridian. In addition to the aforementioned projects, FEMA projects, and possible HUD projects, the projects listed in our current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that may require wetland and stream services will be included in this request. The current Lewis County TIP is available for review at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/public-works/transportation-improv... . The successful consultant will provide the services listed under the General Scope of Services, and as determined appropriate by Lewis County, on upcoming projects. All projects will include cooperative project development and management with Lewis County. Scope of Work The selected consultant is to provide Annual Wetland and Stream Services on public works projects. This may include but is not limited to providing wetland/stream reconnaissance, delineations, mitigation plans, and/or similar work. General Scope of Services: A) Existing Conditions Reconnaissance - conduct reconnaissance-level investigation for the approximate location and potential extent of wetlands, streams, and fish and wildlife habitats. Investigation shall consist of an office review of existing documentation followed by a site investigation. Site investigations shall be in accordance with methodology specific to each critical area (wetlands, streams, and fish and wildlife habitats). B) Wetland and Other Waters Delineations - delineate wetlands and jurisdictional drainages with the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (2010), the 2018 Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Regional Plant List, Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States (2024), the Munsell Soil Color Book (2017), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulatory Guidance Letter 05-05 (2008), and the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (DOE) Determining the Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in Washington State (2016), or the most current guidance; rate wetlands using the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (2014 Update), or the most current guidance; assess who will regulate delineated wetlands and waters; and determine appropriate buffers of each wetland and jurisdictional drainage as per applicable sections of the Lewis County Code pursuant to Chapter 17.38 and/or appropriate City Code. The boundaries of wetlands and OHW of jurisdictional drainages shall be flagged in the field, along with data plots, for survey and verification. A map shall be prepared depicting the delineated wetlands and jurisdictional drainages, along with data plots, on an aerial photo base map for use by the Environmental Planner and County Surveyors. Data plots shall be furnished in a timely manner upon request by the County. In the event that there are properties within the Wetland and Other Waters Study Area where right-of-entry has been denied approximate boundaries of potential wetlands and jurisdictional drainages shall be depicted on the aforementioned map along with estimated wetland ratings or stream types to determine appropriate buffer widths. The map shall also depict all potential wetlands and jurisdictional drainages which lie adjacent to (up to 300 linear feet) and outside the boundaries of the Wetland and Other Waters Study Area along with estimated wetland ratings or stream types to determine appropriate buffer widths. C) Wetland and Stream Mitigation - design wetland and/or stream mitigation plans as per applicable sections of the Lewis County Code, appropriate City Codes, and the DOE guidance document Selecting Wetland Mitigation Sites Using a Watershed Approach (2009). D) Bank Use Plans – prepare a bank use plan for mitigation utilizing credits from a wetland mitigation bank as per the DOE Bank Use Plan – Using Credits from Wetland Mitigation Banks: Guidance to Applicants on Submittal Contents for Bank Use Plans (revised September 2022). Submittal CONSULTANTS desiring consideration shall electronically submit a complete SOQ packet for the Wetland and Stream Services RFQ in OpenGov https://procurement.opengov.com/signup . SOQs are limited to ten (10) pages, single sided, and must be submitted electronically (in OpenGov) no later than 2:00 PM September 5, 2025. Any questions regarding this project should be directed to Ann Weckback at +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov . Additional information regarding OpenGov Procurement is available at www.lewiscountywa.gov . The following schedule has been established for the submission and evaluation of the SOQs and selection of the Consultant. These are tentative dates only and the County reserves the right to adjust these dates at its sole discretion: • First advertisement of RFQ: August 7, 2025 • Second advertisement of RFQ: August 14, 2025 • SOQs due: September 5, 2025 (2:00 PM Local Time) • Interviews, if needed September 19, 2025 • Consultant selected September 30, 2025 Submittals will be evaluated and ranked equal weight for the following criteria: 1) Qualification of key personnel; 2) Relevant experience; 3) Availability and response time; 4) Costs associated with Services; and 5) Overall SOQ Evaluation by the Lewis County selection team. Availability and response time should include response times after contact as well as typical turnaround times for document preparation and revisions. Cost breakdown should include hourly rates per Classification along with fixed fee and overhead. Lewis County is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit SOQs. For more information about the project and submittal requirements contact Ann Weckback at +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov . Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Lewis County, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Zelma Hammer at contact@example.gov or by calling collect +1 (555) 000-0000. Title VI Statement Lewis County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.” Dates of publication: Lewis County’s Newspaper of Record “The Chronicle” 7-August-25, and 14-August-25 Seattle Journal of Commerce 7-August-25, and 14-August-25 Website Posting 7-August-25 through RFQ submittal date Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises https://omwbe.wa.gov Lewis County’s website https://lewiscountywa.gov