The Sites Project Authority (Sites Authority) is requesting Proposals for the Sites Reservoir Project Terrestrial Compensatory Mitigation contract (Compensatory Mitigation Contract). This RFP (RFP No. 26-05) initiates Step 2 of a two-step procurement process (RFQ then RFP) under Public Contract Code section 20928 et seq. Only RFQ-shortlisted respondents are eligible to submit Proposals. Shortlisted RFQ respondents named in this RFP (listed alphabetically) are: HGS, LLC dba RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC; and Westervelt Ecological Services.
Overview and purpose: The selected Compensatory Mitigation Contractor will develop and implement a comprehensive terrestrial compensatory mitigation program to satisfy the Sites Reservoir Project's terrestrial mitigation requirements under applicable federal, State, and local permits and environmental commitments. Responsibilities include planning, site identification and acquisition or conservation easement negotiation, preparation of mitigation and habitat plans, obtaining applicable permits and regulatory approvals for mitigation actions, implementation and construction of restoration activities where required, interim and long-term stewardship and monitoring, establishment and funding of long-term stewardship endowments, providing surety in the form of payment and performance bonds, and coordination with the Sites Authority, Resource Agencies, Project Partners, construction contractors, Tribal Nations, Local Community Working Group, and other stakeholders. The contract contemplates phased Task Orders covering: (1) Planning/Early Implementation Phase Services; (2) Mitigation Phase 1 (early impacts); (3) Mitigation Phase 2 (majority of mitigation needs); and (4) Mitigation Phase 3 (final reservoir inundation area).
Procurement process and evaluation: This is a best-value, two-step procurement. The RFP describes the Sites Authority's Evaluation Committee, evaluation criteria and weighting (Criterion 1: alignment with Authority values and partnership expectations 20%; Criterion 2: community engagement, tribal coordination, and third-party engagement 15%; Criterion 3: execution plan 35%; Criterion 4: compensatory mitigation, pricing, and cost management 30%), potential interviews (optional), reference checking (optional), negotiations with the highest ranked Proposer, and Authority Board approval/authorization. The RFP allows the Sites Authority broad procurement rights (e.g., amend or cancel the RFP, waive non-material defects, reject proposals, negotiate with next-ranked proposers if negotiations fail).
Schedule highlights (as published in the RFP): RFP issued September 18, 2026; deadline for questions October 2, 2026; final addendum October 9, 2026; Proposal submittal date November 18, 2026 (Submittal Deadline: November 18, 2026, at 4:00 pm PST); interviews (if applicable) early December 2026; initiate negotiations late December 2026/early January 2027; negotiate contract January 2027; Sites Authority Board authorization/award February 2027. The Sites Authority may revise this schedule at its discretion.
Scope details and attachments: The RFP includes a Revised Draft Compensatory Mitigation Contract (Attachment A) and multiple attachments and appendices including RFP Forms (Attachment B), a Template Project Labor Agreement (Attachment C), revised draft contract general and special conditions, payment schedules for Planning/Early Implementation and Mitigation Phases, sample Task Order forms, performance and payment bond forms, contractor certifications, and funding requirements. The RFP describes baseline estimated compensatory mitigation requirements by land cover type, wildlife habitat, and aquatic resources, and describes expectations regarding stacking mitigation, maximizing cost-efficiency, potential use of bank credits versus permittee-responsible mitigation, and the Sites Authority's rights over any excess mitigation created under the contract.
Submittal content and formatting: Proposals must conform to the RFP requirements and be signed by an individual authorized to commit the Proposer. The RFP prescribes detailed proposal organization, page limits (50 pages or less excluding cover, TOC, executive summary, dividers, and appendices), font and formatting requirements, required forms and appendices (including Forms A–I for cover letter, insurance/surety letters of intent, conflict of interest, non-collusion, executive order certification, anti-lobbying, debarment/suspension, and suggested material contract comments), resume limits, and required pricing and GMP proposals. Proposers must include material comments on the Revised Draft Compensatory Mitigation Contract using specified forms; the nature and extent of such comments will be considered in evaluation.
Regulatory, labor, and compliance requirements: The RFP notifies Proposers that certain contract activities may be subject to California prevailing wage rules and registration with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The successful contractor and applicable subcontractors must be registered with DIR and comply with prevailing wage requirements where applicable, and must be willing to negotiate and become signatory to a Project Labor Agreement substantially consistent with the Sites Authority's template PLA. The RFP identifies eligibility/disallowed firms and individuals and conflict-of-interest rules.
Insurance, bonds, and financial requirements: The RFP and draft contract require commercial general liability, automobile, employer's liability, workers' compensation, and professional liability insurance with specified minimum limits and endorsements, and require Performance and Payment Bonds (100% of Task Order value) for each Mitigation Phase Task Order. Proposers must submit Surety and Insurance Letters of Intent in Appendix D (Forms B and C) and evidence of financial capacity as described.
Communications and addenda: The Sites Authority designates procurement@sitesproject.org as the sole point-of-contact email for questions and communications during the procurement. Proposers must register on the PlanetBids procurement platform to receive addenda, questions/answers, and updates; all communications about the procurement shall be directed to the designated email. Unauthorized communications with Sites Authority Board members, managers, consultants, contractors, landowners, or resource agency staff that imply Sites Authority representation may result in disqualification.
Public records and protest procedures: Proposals are public records under the California Public Records Act. Proposers should identify confidential portions in the Cover Letter and stamp such portions; Sites Authority will determine disclosure matters in its discretion. The RFP sets strict protest and appeal procedures and deadlines for protests to the RFP contents and selection decisions.
Other notable RFP elements: The RFP requires coordination with Resource Agencies and the Bureau of Reclamation as applicable, integration with the Project Environmental Compliance Program, adherence to Sites Authority policies (including Construction Workforce Policy, Procurement and Contract Policy, Real Property and Land Management Policy), and commitment to community engagement and Tribal coordination. The RFP contemplates phased Task Orders, allows the Authority to require changes to the template PLA subject to Board approval, and requires the Mitigation Contractor to provide endowment funding and long-term stewardship as part of mitigation deliveries.
