Northern Middlesex Brownfields Assessment Program Qualified Environmental Professional Services

NMCOG is seeking a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) to provide technical support and conduct Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments and Site Reuse & Cleanup Planning as part of a new regional Northern Middlesex Brownfields Assessment Program. This work is funded through a **$500,000** Communitywide Assessment Grant (EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-25-04) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The not-to-exceed amount for the QEP firm contract resulting from this RFP is **$434,400.00**. This amount includes all QEP firm and subconsultant fees and all direct costs borne by the QEP firm in performing the Scope of Services.

The QEP firm must complete all tasks within the following scope of services. Both the budget and the workplan are aligned with those submitted to and accepted by the U.S. EPA. [...]

Task 1: Cooperative Agreement Oversight

This task includes the work required to oversee the cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA, including coordination between NMCOG, the QEP, and the U.S. EPA.

Task 2: Community Engagement

This task includes several levels of community engagement led by NMCOG and supported by the QEP. [...]

• Prepare one (1) Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the program
• Prepare an ArcGIS StoryMap or similar online application of all brownfield sites of interest
• Assist with and attend up to four (4) communitywide meetings during program rollout
• Prepare up to sixteen (16) Community Reports for each ESA that are suitable for public review and assist NMCOG in sharing these findings

Task 3: Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)

This task includes the technical work necessary to prepare and score site applications, select sites for Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and conduct the Phase 1 and Phase 2 ESAs on selected sites. The QEP will lead this work, with NMCOG assisting as appropriate. [...] No work shall be undertaken without prior written EPA approval.

• Prepare up to eight (8) Phase I ESAs to identify potential contamination risks
• Prepare up to four (4) Phase II ESAs, including field work according to plan and sampling and laboratory analysis to characterize contamination levels and other site conditions
• Prepare MCP-compliant documents as needed and associated with MassDEP notification and reporting requirements for all assessments

Task 4: Cleanup and Site Reuse Planning and Visioning

This task will be undertaken collaboratively by NMCOG and the QEP, integrating feasibility studies, technical cleanup planning, community visioning, and/or other techniques to prepare a roadmap for public or private entities or public/private partnerships to clean up sites and bring them into productive, community-affirming use.

• Creation of up to four (4) Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ACBAs).
• Creation of up to four (4) Phase III Remedial Action Plans (RAPs).
• Creation of one (1) market study.

Submission

Proposal packages shall be submitted as an electronic PDF file via email to Chris Hayes at chayes@nmcog.org no later than Friday November 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EST. Submit the fee proposal as a separate PDF under a separate cover.

Evaluation

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of NMCOG staff and members of the BSC. The Fee Proposal will not be assigned points in the evaluation. Following evaluation and ranking of the technical proposals, NMCOG will open the Fee Proposal of the highest-ranked Respondent and negotiate the final contract price and scope, subject to the $434,400 not-to-exceed amount.

• Project Understanding: 15%
• Technical Approach and Organization: 20%
• Relevant Prior Project Experience – Brownfields Assessments: 40%
• Relevant Prior Project Experience – Community Outreach: 10%
• Project Management and Schedule: 10%
• Proposal Quality: 5%
• Technical Qualifications: Pass/Fail

Contract term

The contract associated with this RFP is for a four year period as stated above. Submitted Proposal Packages are deemed irrevocable for one-hundred eighty (180) days after the date and time that the proposal packages are due.