Statewide Environmental Review FYs 2027-2029

Project number: DNR-27REALM01
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Office of Real Estate & Land Management (REALM), is requesting professional environmental consulting services to supplement existing staff within the Environmental Services Section. The Environmental Services Section is responsible for environmental review and coordination activities supporting permit reviews, transportation projects, conservation initiatives, utility siting projects, and other public and private development projects throughout Ohio. Timely environmental review is critical to project delivery, regulatory compliance, natural resource protection, and coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. The selected consultant will provide technical expertise and staff augmentation to assist ODNR in maintaining review schedules and addressing fluctuating workloads. Services are expected to support environmental review activities associated with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, transportation projects, environmental permitting, ecological assessments, natural resource compliance reviews, mitigation planning and monitoring, Geographic Information System (GIS) support, and coordination with state and federal agencies. Work may occur remotely, at ODNR's Fountain Square Complex, and at project locations throughout Ohio. The selected consultant will be expected to work closely with REALM Environmental Services staff to ensure review activities continue to be completed within established program timelines and in accordance with applicable regulations, policies, and interagency agreements. The current workload is approximately 2,000 project reviews per year coordinated with Environmental Review letters produced within a 30 calendar day review timeframe. The selected firm will be eligible for contract award for the period beginning on or around January 2027 and ending June 2029, with expected contract amendments in June 2027 and June 2028 based on expected available funding. While ODNR expects centralized support at its Fountain Square complex (2045 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43229), statewide travel will be required. For scoring purposes related to proximity, the Fountain Square complex will serve as the project site.
Scope of Services: Environmental Review Support • Assist with ODNR Environmental Review Program activities. The workload will be approximately 2,000 reviews per year, all completed within 30 calendar days. • Conduct quality assurance and quality control reviews of environmental review submissions. • Coordinate reviews with ODNR divisions and project applicants. • Assemble departmental Environmental Review letters based on technical review comments provided by Division reviewers. • Assist with permit reviews and environmental compliance activities. • Address inquiries from internal and external customers. • Delivery (by electronic means) timely response of Environmental Review letters to applicants. • Maintain and operate state issued laptop. Training and Technical Assistance • Assist with preparation and updating of technical guidance documents and manuals. • Develop presentations and training materials. • Deliver technical training related to environmental review and natural resource management topics. The selected consultant, as a portion of its required Scope of Services and prior to submitting its proposals, will discuss and clarify with the Owner and/or the Contracting Authority, the cost breakdown of the consultant Agreement detailed cost components to address the Owner’s project requirements. As required by the Agreement, and as properly authorized, provide the following categories of services: Environmental Review and any Additional Services as agreed upon as provided by the Consultant and their sub-consultants. Refer to the Ohio Facilities Construction Manual for additional information about the type and extent of services required for each. A copy of the standard Agreement can be obtained at the OFCC website at http://ofcc.ohio.gov. For purposes of completing the Relevant Project Experience Matrix in Section F of the Statement of Qualifications (Form F110-330), below is a list of relevant scope of work requirements for this RFQ: 1. Project Delivery Method:Choose an item. 2. Role on Project:OA 3. Experience supporting state or federal environmental review programs. 4. Experience coordinating environmental reviews among multiple regulatory agencies. 5. Experience with NEPA-related environmental review and permitting activities. 6. Experience preparing environmental technical reports and reviewing documentation. 7. Experience utilizing GIS for environmental review, mapping, and resource management. 8. Experience with environmental database management and tracking systems. 9. Experience, training, and knowledge of ecological surveys/methodologies and natural resources regulations. 10. Experience providing technical environmental training and guidance.