Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Great Lakes National Program Office Remediation and Restoration Services II (GLNPO-RRS-II) contract. This is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year base period and an estimated value of $960 million. The purpose of this contract is to provide construction, construction management, and engineering services to support contaminated sediment remediation and restoration projects in the Great Lakes Basin. This article will provide an overview of the historical background, RFP description, eligibility criteria, and challenges of this opportunity, as well as some tips on how to prepare a winning proposal.

Historical Background

The GLNPO-RRS-II contract is a follow-on to the GLNPO-RRS contract, which was awarded in 2015 to four contractors: AECOM Technical Services, Inc., CB&I Federal Services LLC, Environmental Quality Management, Inc., and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. The GLNPO-RRS contract had a ceiling value of $500 million and a performance period of five years. Under this contract, the contractors performed various tasks related to contaminated sediment remediation and restoration, such as site investigation, design, construction, monitoring, and operation and maintenance. Some of the projects that were completed or are ongoing under this contract include the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC), the Ashtabula River AOC, the Lower Rouge River Old Channel AOC, and the St. Louis River AOC.

RFP Description

The GLNPO-RRS-II contract is expected to continue the work of the GLNPO-RRS contract and support the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). The GLRI is a federal program that aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem by addressing issues such as toxic substances, invasive species, habitat degradation, and nutrient runoff. The GLWQA is a binational agreement between the U.S. and Canada that establishes a framework for restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes.

The scope of work for the GLNPO-RRS-II contract includes:

  • Construction services for contaminated sediment remediation projects, such as dredging, capping, stabilization, disposal, habitat restoration, and shoreline protection.
  • Construction management services for contaminated sediment remediation projects, such as project management, quality assurance, health and safety oversight, stakeholder coordination, and public outreach.
  • Engineering services for contaminated sediment remediation projects, such as site characterization, feasibility studies, remedial design, cost estimation, risk assessment, modeling, and data analysis.
  • Other related services as required by the EPA.

The RFP was released on October 15, 2021 and the proposals are due on December 15, 2021. The solicitation number is 68HE0523R0021. The RFP can be accessed through SAM.gov.

Who Should Participate

The GLNPO-RRS-II contract is open to all qualified contractors that have experience in contaminated sediment remediation and restoration in aquatic environments. The RFP states that the EPA intends to award up to four contracts under full and open competition. The evaluation factors for award are:

  • Technical approach
  • Past performance
  • Key personnel
  • Management approach
  • Price

The RFP also states that the EPA will give preference to proposals that demonstrate:

  • Experience in working with multiple stakeholders in complex environmental projects
  • Experience in applying innovative technologies or methods for contaminated sediment remediation
  • Experience in performing work in the Great Lakes region or similar ecosystems
  • Experience in complying with federal environmental laws and regulations

The Challenges

The GLNPO-RRS-II contract is a highly competitive and challenging opportunity for government contractors. Some of the challenges that potential offerors may face are:

  • Developing a comprehensive technical approach that addresses all aspects of contaminated sediment remediation and restoration
  • Demonstrating relevant past performance in similar projects with satisfactory results
  • Providing qualified key personnel with adequate credentials and experience
  • Presenting a realistic management approach that ensures effective communication and coordination among team members and stakeholders
  • Offering a fair and reasonable price that reflects the complexity and risk of the work

Conclusion

The GLNPO-RRS-II contract is a lucrative opportunity for government contractors that have expertise in contaminated sediment remediation and restoration. However, it also requires a high level of technical knowledge, experience, and professionalism to win. Therefore, it is advisable for potential offerors to seek professional assistance from capture and proposal experts who can help them prepare a compelling proposal that meets all the requirements and expectations of the EPA. GDI Consulting is one of the leading providers of capture and proposal services for government contractors. We have a proven track record of helping our clients win federal contracts worth billions of dollars. We can help you with market research, opportunity assessment, bid strategy, proposal development, color team reviews, and more. Contact us today at www.gdicwins.com to learn how we can help you win the GLNPO-RRS-II contract.