Title
Consider recommendation from the Executive Committee to approve a contract with ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., to provide consultant services for an EAHCP Incidental Take Permit (ITP) options analysis, in the amount of $98,160.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board approve Contract No. 19-962-TES between the EAA and ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., to provide consultant services for an EAHCP ITP options analysis, in the amount of $98,160, for the period January 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider an Executive Committee recommendation to approve a contract between the EAA and ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc. (ICF). Under the proposed contract, ICF will identify potential options to pursue at the culmination of the current Incidental Take Permit (ITP) in 2028. There is no specific path forward identified at this stage, but the ITP rollover process presents the opportunity to identify and describe what options are available to the EAHCP. The information in the report to be produced will assist the EAHCP in understanding what administrative options to consider based on current U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service practices and guidance from the HCP Handbook. ICF will serve in an advisory role to offer its guidance and expertise as it relates to ITP rollovers and the potential options available to the EAHCP. Staff will use the options identified to help frame the discussions and direction of the EAA and the EAHCP Implementing Committee as the parties evaluate how best to move forward in seeking a new ITP. It is important to note that the options ICF will identify will not address specific conservation measures of the EAHCP, but rather will simply inform the EAHCP on the different paths that may be taken with respect to the rollover of the ITP.
To solicit the required services, EAA staff advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide consultant services for an EAHCP ITP options analysis consistent with the standard EAA procurement process. The solicitation period was from September 9 to October 3, 2019. The RFP was sent to 145 vendors. Of those vendors, six (6) were M/WBEs.
The EAA received proposals from two (2) vendors: 1) Blanton and Associates, Inc. and 2) ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., of which one (1) of the vendors is an M/WBE (Blanton and Associates, Inc.).
Both proposals were evaluated according to the criteria described in the RFP. Attached to this summary is the scoring matrix used to evaluate the proposals. The evaluators all scored ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., the highest due to their extensive experience with habitat conservation plan permit rollover consulting and the superior commercial quality of their proposal. Also attached is the draft contract, which has been reviewed by legal counsel.
At the December 3 meeting, the Executive Committee voted to recommend the board approve Contract No. 19-962-TES with ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., for consultant services for an EAHCP ITP options analysis.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc., is not an M/WBE vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the EAA's policy direction as set forth in the EAA 2016-20 Strategic Plan: Goal A. Sustain Federally Protected Aquifer-Dependent Species.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this contract, in the amount of $98,160, is included in the 2020 EAHCP operating budget.