Request for Qualifications for Jefferson County, Alabama Brownfields Consulting Services

Description: The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) invites proposals from qualified environmental consulting firms or teams to provide brownfields assessment, cleanup and redevelopment planning, community engagement, and grant support services, primarily within Jefferson County, Alabama. RPCGB seeks a consultant or team of consultants with demonstrated experience assessing properties, developing cleanup plans, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and supporting community-driven redevelopment. Through this RFQ, RPCGB seeks an additional consultant to provide services primarily within Jefferson County; RPCGB has already retained Pinchin, LLC as one firm that will support its regional brownfields program. RPCGB will determine task assignments and coordinate responsibilities between consultants. The selected consultant must report to RPCGB and work collaboratively with coalition partners and other consultants to avoid duplication and maintain consistent technical standards and reporting. RPCGB is the lead entity of a FY26 EPA Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant, with a grant period of four years (2026-2030). This grant will allow RPCGB to expand an established brownfields program that began with the implementation of a Brownfields Assessment grant in 2023. RPCGB has identified a team of coalition partners (REV Birmingham and St. Clair County) and three target areas (City of Birmingham Switch District, Tarrant, AL, and Ragland, AL) and is seeking a qualified consulting firm (or team of firms) to support this work. The selected consultant(s) will work primarily in Jefferson County, although regional assignments are possible. Jefferson County is the most populous county in the state, and its industrial history and population shifts have left vacant and underused properties in need of environmental assessment. Adaptive reuse and revitalization have transformed many neighborhoods and municipalities across the county, but environmental uncertainty continues to impede quality development. RPCGB seeks a consultant with documented experience providing environmental assessment services and community engagement with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, property owners, real estate agents, and brokers across Jefferson County. About RPCGB. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) provides transportation planning, community planning, and economic development services for six counties and 84 communities throughout central Alabama. The Commission works through a consultation process with local governments, citizens, nonprofits, and the private sector to improve quality of life and economic outcomes in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, and Walker Counties. Contract Term: RPCGB anticipates awarding a professional services contract for a five-year term beginning on the effective date stated in the executed agreement. Services will be authorized through individual written task orders and will depend on available funding. Services under this contract will primarily support projects in Jefferson County. RPCGB may also authorize assignments elsewhere within its six-county region through written task orders. The five-year contract may support multiple funding sources, if additional brownfields funding is secured by RPCGB. All services will be performed in compliance with applicable EPA grant requirements (including 2 CFR 200.317-200.327), EPA Brownfields Program guidance, and all relevant federal and State of Alabama regulations. Scope of Work: RPCGB expects the selected consultant to perform services on an as-needed, task-order basis. The consultant may begin work only after receiving written authorization from RPCGB. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following: - Grant and Program Administration: assist in updating work plans, public engagement plans, budgets, reporting materials, schedules, and ACRES entries; coordinate with regulatory agencies including ADEM and EPA. - Brownfield Inventory, Target Areas, & Site Selection Support: assist RPCGB and coalition partners to identify, develop, and refine an inventory of potential brownfield properties; help develop transparent criteria for prioritizing sites for assessment and cleanup planning based on environmental/public health risks, redevelopment potential and market readiness, community priorities, and property owner readiness/willingness. - Site Assessments & Environmental Services: preparation of Generic QAPPs and SS-QAPPs, Health and Safety Plans, Site Investigation Reports, Phase I ESAs, Phase II ESAs and related sampling and analysis plans (soil, groundwater, soil vapor, surface water), building materials and hazardous materials surveys (asbestos, lead-based paint, mold), HASP and field protocols; development of site-specific cleanup and redevelopment planning documents such as ABCAs with cost estimates as appropriate. - Community Engagement & Stakeholder Support: assist RPCGB in planning/delivering community engagement activities including development of a Brownfields Community Engagement Plan; assist with public meetings, workshops, working groups, and presentations; provide materials and tools (fact sheets, web content, social media, mailings, surveys); engage landowners, developers, and community-based organizations; coordinate with state regulatory agencies on corrective action plans or voluntary cleanup agreements; assist with community-level planning to support redevelopment. - Other Related Services: other services consistent with EPA guidance and the consultant's expertise as requested by RPCGB. - Grant Development: coordinate with RPCGB staff and partners to develop competitive EPA-eligible applications and supporting materials as appropriate and allowable. All services must comply with applicable EPA grant requirements (including 2 CFR 200.317-200.327), EPA Brownfields Program guidance, and relevant federal and State of Alabama regulations. Proposal Requirements: The selected consultant must be registered to conduct business in the State of Alabama, including all hired subcontractors. A cost proposal is a critical piece of the evaluation criteria. Due Date & Time: Proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. CST, December 7, 2026. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered. Proposal Format: One (1) electronic submission in PDF format via email or two (2) hard copies submitted in person. Proposals should be clearly labeled: "RPCGB Brownfields Coalition Consulting Services - Proposal - [Firm Name]". Proposal narrative (Sections 1-5) should not exceed twenty (20) pages, excluding cover letter, resumes, and required forms. Questions: Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing to the RPCGB point of contact no later than 4:00 p.m. CST on November 18, 2026. Responses to questions will be posted on the RPCGB website and may be shared with all prospective proposers. Proposal Content: Required sections include a signed cover letter and the following sections: Section 1 - Experience & Capacity; Section 2 - Key Personnel & Team Structure; Section 3 - Proposed Methodology; Section 4 - References (minimum three); Section 5 - Cost Proposal / Fee Schedule (hourly fee rate schedule, reimbursables, budgetary assumptions, example task budgets). Cost will account for 25 of 100 evaluation points. Evaluation & Selection: RPCGB will review and score proposals according to published criteria (Project Methodology & Understanding; Relevant Experience - Environmental Services; Relevant Experience - Grant Writing & Program Management; Community Engagement Experience; Qualifications of Key Personnel; Firm Capacity & Availability; Cost Proposal). RPCGB may request additional information, negotiate scope and fee with top-ranked firm, and may decline to award a contract. General Terms & Conditions: Issuance of the RFQ and receipt of proposals does not obligate RPCGB to award a contract or pay costs incurred in proposal preparation. RPCGB may accept/reject any or all proposals, waive informalities, and make an award in its best interest. Proposals must remain valid for at least 60 days from the due date. The selected consultant will be expected to enter into a professional services agreement acceptable to RPCGB and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws. The selected consultant shall retain records for a minimum of three years after RPCGB submits its final expenditure report to EPA, or longer if required by regulations.