Stormwater Design

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PERMITTING SERVICES, FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AT FORMER CHEESEPLANT PROPERTY

TOWN OF HINESBURG, VERMONT

INTRODUCTION

The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont, is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide assistance in carrying out the deliverables of a Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Public-Private-Partnership grant it has received to assist with permitting, design and eventual construction of stormwater treatment practices associated with the former Saputo Cheeseplant property in Hinesburg.

Proposals are to be submitted by 4:00 PM on Friday, MARCH 31, 2023, via email to todithvt@gmavt.net.

Proposals will be evaluated by the Town based on technical qualifications and price. During the evaluation process, the Town reserves the right, where it may serve in the Town's best interest, to request additional information or clarification from proposers. At the discretion of the Town, firms submitting proposals may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the evaluation process. The Town of Hinesburg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted.

Please direct all questions regarding this request for proposals to Todd Odit, Town Manager at todit@hinesburg.org 802-482-4206.

BACKGROUND

1. Overview:               The Cheese Plant Commercial Suites is a light industrial park with a drainage area including The Cheese Plant property (SPAN # 294-093-11476), a segment of VT Route 116, and a residential development in Hinesburg (SPAN # 294-093-10844). Catamount-Malone/Hinesburg, LLC is the only listed permittee for the existing Operational Stormwater Permit (#3690.9050). This project encompasses design and construction of a gravel wetland retrofit and diversion structure that redirects runoff from the 1” storm into the gravel wetland.

2. Statement of Need. The Vermont Clean Water Act of 2015, and the Lake Champlain Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) identify the need to address phosphorus in stormwater runoff from existing developed lands, specifically “three-acre sites,” in order to meet the phosphorus targets in the TMDLs. This project assists a “three-acre site.”

3. Population Served. The project addresses stormwater runoff from approximately 5.5 acres of impervious surface, including The Cheese Plant property, a segment of VT Route 116, and a residential development nearby. This site was chosen because it will reduce direct runoff into the LaPlatte River, improving water quality and adding public benefits. Because the area is located in a flood hazard area, previous treatment measures on the site will be retrofitted for use as a stormwater treatment practice. This project will result in an estimated phosphorus reduction of 4.30 kg/yr correlating to a cost savings of $5,666 per year. The population of Hinesburg is 5,253 with 8.62% of people living in poverty and an unemployment rate of 2.56%. The income per capita is $49,113. This information was sourced using the Vermont Social Vulnerability Index which is based upon 2016-2020 American Community Survey data, Census Tract 35.02. The stormwater runoff addressed by this project serves to lessen the environmental impacts this

community faces.

Prior work (Click Here) has been completed towards the goal of completing this grant which included

an Initial Notice of Application (INOI) was filed with DEC on 11/23/2022 as follows:

ANR Online-HPP-C0AA-KVPK1

Applicant-Catamount/Malone Hinesburg, LLC

Permit Number-3690-9050.1

Project Town-Hinesburg

Permit Location-10516 Rte 116

Request for Coverage under General Permit 3-9050

-A preliminary Engineering Feasibility Analyses, (EFA) prepared by Watershed Consulting Associates

DEC has notified the applicant that “Your application for coverage under General Permit 3-9050 requires the following:

3-9050 eNOI: Revise this submission when you’re ready to file the full 3-Acre NOI.  In the meantime, permit 3690-9050 will receive title 3 coverage which will administratively continue the permit past it’s expiration date, until you’re ready to submit the full 3-acre NOI.

Please provide the outstanding information identified above by 8/31/2023. Failure to submit the requested information may result in a denial of your application. Should your permit application be denied, and you wish to still go through with your project, you will be required to submit a new application package, including any associated application fees. Alternatively, you may withdraw your application.

SCOPE OF WORK

Item 1:            On behalf of the property owner, prepare and submit a complete “Full Notice of Intent” in conformance with Stormwater General Permit 3-9050 and all required reports, designs and analyses as detailed in the “Application Requirements for Operational Permits” posted at Operational Stormwater Permits | Department of Environmental Conservation (vermont.gov). The Full Notice of Intent and associated deliverables should be submitted to DEC no later than 8/31/2023.  

It is mutually agreed that the contractor will participate in virtual, or in-person meetings as needed with representatives of the Town, Catamount/Malone Hinesburg (hereafter, property owner) and DEC staff to confer regularly on overall progress on deliverables, challenges, concerns, etc.

Vermont DEC has indicated that the majority of applications require revisions or corrections to be complete and accurate prior to going to public notice, therefore the selected contractor  is responsible for (1) responding to DEC Operational Stormwater comments after the application has been technically reviewed and (2) if the public makes comments during the comment period the selected contractor shall provide the DEC Operational Stormwater unit with responses to those comments.

This item shall also include an update to the previously completed 30% design included with the preliminary EFA.

This item shall also include a Final Design Report as defined by Vermont DEC in the FY23 CWIP Funding Policy, notably: Final Design Report (include synthesis of prior completed project deliverables, 100% designs, written landowner commitment to implement project, and final cost-estimate with a level-of-effort document and construction engineering oversight, if needed, and contingency); provide documentation of completed landowner access agreements.

Item 2:            After approval by DEC of the proposed 100% Final Design, the final EFA and the issuance of the 3-9050 Permit, prepare Construction Bid documents for all necessary work for the property owner to comply with the 3-9050 permit and for the Town to be able to meet the requirements of its ARPA grant (see attached) no later than 60 days after approval by DEC.

Item 3:            Assist the Town and property owner with the issuance of an Invitation to Bid for construction of the stormwater BMP as approved by DEC and with the review of bids received.

Item 4:            Provide all needed construction management/oversight services most likely during the 2025 construction season with the potential for carryover into early spring 2026.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Interested firms shall submit two separate documents, the technical proposal and the cost proposal.

Technical Proposal Requirements

The Technical Proposal should demonstrate that the proposer understands the intent and scope of the project, the content of the deliverables, and the specific tasks that must be performed in the course of supplying these services. In order to assist in the evaluation process, please include the following information in the technical proposal:

a.Cover Letter

Summarize interest in this work/proposal, general qualifications of the firm, and describe experience and capabilities in similar projects.

b.Scope of Work, Work Plan and Methodology

This section should provide a detailed description of the proposer’s understanding of the nature of the work and approach to be taken and address project objectives, requested services, and any other pertinent elements. A detailed schedule should accompany the work description showing the expected sequence of tasks and resource requirements for both the proposer and any other potential partners.

c.Introduction, Qualifications and Experience of the Proposer Firm(s)

Proposer shall provide an overview of their firm and any sub-consultants intended to work on the project.  The overview shall include the following information:

Firm name and business address including phone and email.

A brief description of the firm’s history, mission and background.

Firm’s previous experience, knowledge and qualifications relating specifically to this nature of work, i.e, the preparation of an Engineering Feasibility Assessment, final designs, application forms and other deliverables typically associated with a 3-9050 permit. To the extent feasible the proposer should detail their firm’s familiarity with, or knowledge of the site and the proposed BMP outlined in the attached initial EFA or similar sites with a similar proposed BMP.

A list of recent work (within the last 3 years) that is relevant to this particular type of project.

References: provide at least three (3) other client references including mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses who are familiar with the firm’s ability, experience, and reliability in the performance and management of projects of a similar nature.

For sub-consultants not named in the proposal, approval will be required by the Town before the sub-consultant may perform any work for this project.

d.Qualifications and Experience of Key Staff

The proposer shall identify key individuals assigned to the project and include their roles and responsibilities in this work. Submit resumes for only those individuals that will participate in the project with an emphasis on previous work experience on similar projects in similar roles.

Cost Proposal Requirements

Please provide a Cost Estimate (separate from the Technical Proposal) to complete the scope of work items for this project. The Cost Proposal shall include the following, listing the prime consultant and any sub-consultants separately:

Hourly rate schedule

Overhead rate and fee

Hours and cost by item

Note: The Town recognizes that Item 4 may be a challenge to estimate at this early stage of the project. Please provide a range of anticipated staff hours and charge-out rates for this Item.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

In consultation with the representatives of the property owner and Vermont DEC the firm will be selected by the Town based on two criteria: technical qualifications and price. The technical qualifications will compare each proposer’s expertise and experience in providing the desired Scope of Work and the experience and quality of the firm’s professional personnel who would conduct the work. The proposed approach to the scope of work will also be scrutinized. Cost will not be the primary factor in the selection of the firm.

ATTACHMENTS linked above:

-ARPA 3 ACRE Private-Public Partnership Project Construction- Hinesburg Cheesefactory Grant Agreement (24-pages)

-November 22, 2022, Cover letter from WCA for a 3-9050 stormwater permit application for initial authorization under the 3-Acre Rule requirements of The Cheese Plant Commercial Suites on behalf of Catamount/Malone Hinesburg, LLC, located in Hinesburg, VT. (1-page)

-Copy of Stormwater 3-9050 Notice of Intent Application (7-page)

-Impervious Map submitted with application (1-page)

-Signed SW9050 Applicant Certification (1-page)

-Preliminary Engineering Feasibility Assessment prepared by WCA (45-pages)