Request For Proposals: Assessing Socio-Economic Impacts for the National and Emergency Coastal Resilience Funds

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: March 3, 2020

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seeks a qualified Contractor to conduct modeling and collect secondary socio-economic data that will be used to assess the flood reduction impact of about 60 resilience restoration projects (36 projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and about 25 projects funded through the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund (ECRF)). Only one award will be made for this Contract. The Contract Period of Performance is estimated to be approximately three years.

BACKGROUND

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) was established in 2018 as a partnership between NOAA and NFWF. The goal of the program is to restore and strengthen natural systems so they can protect coastal communities from the impacts of coastal storms, sea and lake level changes, flooding, and coastal erosion and enable them to recover more quickly, while also enhance habitats for important fish and wildlife populations. 

The NCRF invests in conservation projects that restore or expand natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dunes and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, forests, coastal rivers and floodplains, and barrier islands that minimize the impacts of storms and other naturally occurring events on nearby communities. Between 2018 and 2019, the NCRF has invested approximately $60 million to strategically design, rebuild, and repair coastal assets that reduce threats to flooding from sea level rise, coastal erosion, increased frequency and intensity of storms, and impacts from other chronic and episodic events. All NCRF funded projects are located within the coastal areas of the U.S. states, including the Great Lakes states, and territories1. Specifically, eligible projects must be located within coastal Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 8 watersheds that drain to the sea or any adjacent HUC 8 watersheds that are particularly low-lying or tidally influenced. 

In 2019, NFWF partnered with NOAA to establish the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund (ECRF) to increase resilience of coastal communities located within federally declared disaster areas impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael and Typhoon Yutu in 20182. NFWF anticipates funding about 25 projects located in the southeastern, Gulf, and California coasts of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which will require modeling and potentially socio-economic monitoring under the scope of this RFP.

In collaboration with partners, NFWF has already identified a set of core socio-economic metrics needed to measure the effectiveness of the projects in enhancing resilience of engineered and ecological coastal systems (see Appendix A). In addition, NFWF has established preliminary methodologies to measure the spatial extent to which socio-economic benefits are likely to accrue due to project implementation (see Appendix A for details).  

SCOPE OF WORK

NFWF seeks a qualified contractor to collect data on the core socio-economic metrics to measure the impact of about 60 projects funded through both the NCRF and ECRF (36 NCRF and about 25 ECRF on-the-ground restoration projects). This RFP invites proposals to conduct pre- and potentially post-project modeling over the next three years (2020 through 2022) of the socio-economic benefits from these 60 projects. The goal of this effort is to estimate the extent to which these resilience projects reduce the risk of flooding to communities from coastal storms, sea level rise, and nuisance flooding. In the event of a significant flood event, the goal will be to determine the extent to which these resilience projects mitigated actual damage. 

Task 1: Become familiar with the NCRF and ECRF projects, the previously identified core socio-economic metrics, and the monitoring protocols.

Description: Appendix B lists the 36 NCRF projects for which this socio-economic modeling is expected; specific ECRF projects cannot be listed in the RFP, but are included in the tasks below – we anticipate these will be identified by April 2020. These approximately 60 projects conduct one or more of the following resilience activities: marsh restoration (hydrology and thin layer dredge), living shoreline restoration (including oyster reefs), beach and dune restoration, floodplain restoration, mangrove restoration, coastal forest restoration, and coral reef restoration.

Appendix A lists 34 metrics and associated protocols by which the socio-economic impacts of resilience activities will be assessed. These socio-economic metrics fall under the following major categories: 

  • Health and Human Safety
  • Property and Infrastructure Protection and Enhancement
  • Economic Resilience
  • Community Competence and Empowerment

The selected contractor will review these metrics and protocols and will be prepared to apply them to the NCRF and ECRF projects. Although no changes to these metrics or protocols are expected, if after this Task 1 review the contractor believes that a metric or protocol requires modification, the contractor should be prepared to recommend an alternative approach to better capture the data of interest. 

NFWF will provide the contractor basic data on the project sites, including restoration activities and spatial data on the project footprint. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining additional spatial data as needed (e.g., land cover) and supplying all additional information required to implement the selected methods and protocols. 

Task 2: Based on a given hypothetical storm scenario, model the area of anticipated flooding both pre- and post-project to estimate each project’s “zone of flood risk reduction” (i.e., estimated area of flooding avoided due to the restoration project) for about 60 individual NCRF and ECRF projects. 

Description: The contractor will build a model that estimates each project’s “zone of flood risk reduction”. The models should be capable of analyzing results under various potential  storm scenarios (e.g., severity, duration, etc.); a discrete number of potential storm scenarios will be determined in consultation with NFWF. Projects are in different stages of development, each beginning project implementation sometime between 2018 and 2020. Therefore, for each of the three annual analyses (see Deliverables and Schedule below) of resilience benefits included in this scope of work, the selected contractor will use each project’s most recent restoration specifications available at that time to estimate each project’s zone of flood risk reduction. 

The proposal should describe the method(s) that will be used to establish a project’s estimated zone of flood risk reduction. Preliminary ideas on how to identify a resilience project’s zone of flood risk reduction can be found in Appendix A (described as “zone of influence”), but the successful contractor will need to build upon this initial effort or develop a more robust approach that is approved by NFWF. In particular, the use of Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) modeling should be employed wherever sufficient input data are available for such models. Alternative approaches can be considered after consultation with NFWF. 

Deliverables and Schedule: Each year throughout the period of performance, the contractor will submit to NFWF spatial data on the footprint of the estimated flood reduction from each of the 36 NCRF and about 25 ECRF projects. Unless otherwise proposed by the contractor and agreed upon by NFWF in advance, each September the contractor will calculate the zone of flood risk reduction for each project relative to the latest project specifications available. 

Task 3: Quantify the value of socio-economic metrics within each project’s estimated zone of flood risk reduction.

Description: Using the spatial extent of a project’s zone of flood risk reduction that was estimated in Task 2, the contractor will apply the previously identified socio-economic metric protocols within that impact zone to determine the project’s estimated socio-economic benefits (i.e., the value of the socio-economic metrics).

Deliverables and Schedule: Each year throughout the period of performance, the contractor will provide quantitative data on the socio-economic metrics within each NCRF and ECRF project’s estimated zone of flood risk reduction. Unless otherwise proposed by the contractor and agreed upon by NFWF in advance, each October the contractor will estimate the socio-economic metrics for each project relative to the latest estimate of the zone of flood risk reduction as determined in Task 2. The selected contractor must provide all socio-economic monitoring data to NFWF using a reporting template to be provided.

Task 4: Summarize results and develop reports on the estimated socio-economic benefits of NCRF and ECRF projects.

Description: Summarize Task 2 and 3 findings into reports and presentations for NFWF. The successful Offeror will also incorporate analyses to consider how the zone of flood risk reduction and socio-economic benefits are affected by the type of resilience restoration activity being conducted or other factors incorporated into the model. As the data supports, this summary should include statistics (e.g., average socio-economic benefit per acre of salt marsh restored) describing the range of socio-economic benefits by resilience activities listed in Task 1.  

Deliverables and Schedule: Unless otherwise proposed by the contractor and agreed upon by NFWF in advance, each November the contractor will submit a summary report of Task 2 and 3 findings; the final report will be due in November 2022 and should summarize all findings throughout the entire period of performance. Two rounds of NFWF staff review and subsequent revisions should be anticipated for each product. Presentation of final results to NFWF staff in September or October 2022, prior to finalization of the report.

Task 5: Compile flood extent data from secondary sources following a significant storm event (if applicable).

Description: In the event of a significant flood event at the site of one or more NCRF or ECRF projects during the contractor’s period of performance, the contractor will obtain secondary flood extent and damages data. No primary field data collection is anticipated under this contract. The contractor will then use those data to update the previously modeled predictions of the project’s zone of flood risk reduction and associated socio-economic metrics within that zone. As appropriate, the contractor will also apply the findings of the actual flood extent to adapt the ZOI model to better estimate reduction in flood risk from that project and other similar projects. At this time, offerors are asked to provide a reasonable and justifiable cost estimate for this task. NFWF will determine whether a particular flood event warrants effort under Task 5 in close consultation with the selected contractor and will modify the contract if specific circumstances warrant.

Deliverables: Updated zone of flood risk reduction and socio-economic metric values for each of the projects affected by the storm event, including description of what was learned and how the zone of flood risk reduction model was adapted as a result, if appropriate. The selected contractor must provide all socio-economic monitoring data to NFWF using a reporting template to be provided.

Schedule: Contractor should collect available secondary site-specific flood data as soon as the data are available after the flood event. The contractor will then update the project’s zone of flood risk reduction, socio-economic metrics, and share how the zone of flood risk reduction model should be adapted within five months of the flooding event.

REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND PROPOSED STAFF 

Required expertise includes spatial modeling, physical geography, hydrodynamic and hydrologic modeling, compilation and analysis of socio-economic data, economic impact analyses, and statistics. 

CRITERIA FOR COMPETITIVE APPLICATIONS 

Proposals will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria. Offerors should organize their Statement based on these sections:

  1. Technical Approach. This section must demonstrate an understanding of the goals of the modeling and secondary data collection activities involved. The proposed technical approach for conducting the evaluation should clearly describe how you will conduct the socio-economic and flood event modeling and, if needed, secondary data collection after a flood event. The section must demonstrate that those methods are robust and appropriate for determining the socio-economic impacts of these projects and address any areas of complexity or uncertainty associated with the process. This section should include a description of how you will communicate with NFWF and program stakeholders and report on progress, results, and deliverables. Weight: 30%
  2. Qualifications of Proposed Personnel.  The section should clearly describe which tasks each member of the team will conduct and how their training and experience provide the requisite experience to do so successfully. Weight: 25%
  3. Contractor’s Past Performance. The proposal should include information on the primary investigator(s)’s past performance conducting modeling and socio-economic data collection efforts of this type. If sub-contractors are to be used, information should be provided that demonstrates their past performance as well. Describe how that past performance is applicable to this evaluation. Weight: 20%
  4. Budget. The proposed budget should itemize work in sufficient detail to enable reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the entire funding request. You must use the Contractor Budget Template provided (available here: https://www.nfwf.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/contractor-budget-template-socio-eonomic-monitoring-expanded.xlsx). Weight: 25%

ELIGIBLE OFFERORS & CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations, and local, state and Indian tribal governments.

By submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation, the offeror warrants and represents that it does not currently have any apparent or actual conflict of interest, as described herein. In the event an offeror currently has, will have during the life of the contemplated contract, or becomes aware of an apparent or actual conflict of interest, in the event an award is made, the offeror must notify NFWF in writing in the Proposal, or in subsequent correspondence (if the issue becomes known after the submission of the Proposal) of such apparent or actual conflicts of interest, including organizational conflicts of interest.  Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the contractor, the contractor’s employees, or the contractor’s subcontractors in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests, or otherwise.  

Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the offeror, the offeror’s employees, or the offeror’s future subcontractors in the matter.  Upon receipt of such a notice, the NFWF Contracting Officer will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the offeror to reduce or resolve the conflict.  Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies NFWF may result in the proposal not being selected for award.  

By submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation, the Offeror warrants and represents that it is eligible for award of a Contract resulting from this solicitation and that it is not subject to any of the below circumstances:

Has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an Contract with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government; or 

Was convicted (or had an officer or agent of such corporation acting on behalf of the corporation convicted) of a felony criminal violation under any Federal or State law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government; or

Is listed on the General Services Administration’s, government-wide System for Award Management Exclusions (SAM Exclusions), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 C.F.R Part 180 that implement E.O.s 12549 (3 C.F.R., 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 C.F.R., 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension, ” or intends to enter into any subaward, contract or other Contract using funds provided by NFWF with any party listed on the SAM Exclusions in accordance with Executive Orders 12549 and 12689. The SAM Exclusions instructions can be found here:
https://www.fws.gov/northeast/refuges/agreements/Documents/SAM_Exclusions_how_do_i_search_exclusions.pdf

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must be submitted under the same email at the same time, in three distinctly labeled and separate documents: 1) Technical Proposal, 2) Budget, and 3) Evidence of Financial Stability. Interested parties should submit proposals electronically to NFWF (Kaity Goldsmith at kaitlin.goldsmith@nfwf.org) using the requirements below:

  1. Technical Proposal
    • Format: Proposals must be provided in Word format or searchable PDF with a font size no smaller than 11 pt.
    • Contact information: Primary contact person, company name, address, phone, email, website, DUNS number, and EIN/Taxpayer ID#.
    • Narrative: Concise (5-page limit) description of the work plan and a summary of the applicant’s expertise and experience. List recent (last 2-5 years) accomplishments and previous services related to the technical expertise offered. 
    • Biographies: Resumes and/or Vitae of key staff and their role in the proposed work area.
    • References: List two clients who have received services from the applicant that is similar in nature to the proposed work; include names, phone numbers, and email address.
  2. Budget: The budget proposal must be submitted using the following NFWF budget template (available here: https://www.nfwf.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/contractor-budget-template-socio-eonomic-monitoring-expanded.xlsx).
  3. Evidence of Financial Stability: The applicant shall provide with the RFP response, proof of financial stability in the form of financial statements, credit ratings, a line of credit, or other financial arrangements sufficient to demonstrate the applicant’s capability to meet the requirements of this RFP.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

A panel of NFWF and NOAA staff will review the full proposals. Offerors may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to final approval of the award. Only one award will be made for this project. If multiple institutions are involved, they should be handled through sub-contracts.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

February 12, 2020 Deadline for questions about the solicitation to NFWF. 
Offerors should submit questions regarding this solicitation via email to Kaity Goldsmith (kaitlin.goldsmith@nfwf.org). NFWF will post all the questions and responses to all questions so that all offerors have access to them at the same time. In order to provide equitable responses, all questions must be received by NFWF no later than 11:59 PM EDT on February 12, 2020.
February 14, 2020 NFWF response to questions about the solicitation.
NFWF will post the questions submitted regarding the solicitation and responses on the NFWF website.
March 3, 2020 Deadline for receipt by NFWF of proposals. 
Proposals must be received electronically as an email attachment to Kaity Goldsmith (kaitlin.goldsmith@nfwf.org) by 11:59 PM EDT on March 3, 2020. Proposals must be provided in Word format or searchable PDF.
Week of March 23 Interviews with selected finalists and contract awarded.
Mid-April 2020 Contract awarded to selected Offeror 

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1Including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.

2The Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund also included federally declared disaster areas impacted by 2018 wildfires,
but these projects are beyond the scope of this RFP.