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Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Construction Site Stormwater
Management Training
CITY OF BOZEMAN
Bozeman, MT
City of Bozeman
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
March 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Bozeman (City) is seeking qualifications from firms to conduct
Construction Site Stormwater Management Training.
Copies of the Request for Qualifications are available on the City’s website at:
https://www.bozeman.net/government/city-clerk/bids-rfps-rfqs
All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an
email attachment to the RFP Recipient email address below. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s
email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject
line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File
sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to bzncloud.bozeman.net upon special arrangement of
the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed,
and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline.
Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk by Friday, April 9, 2021, at 3:00 PM MST. It is the sole responsibility
of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals
will not be accepted and will be returned unopened.
The email address for submission is:
agenda@bozeman.net
NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY
The City of Bozeman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Discrimination in the performance of any agreement awarded under this RFQ on the basis of race, color,
religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender
identity or disability is prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the awarded
entity’s employees and to all subcontracts.
As such, each entity submitting under this notice shall include a provision wherein the submitting entity,
or entities, affirms in writing it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age,
marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or
disability and which also recognizes the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting
discrimination as described above and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and
treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts.
In addition, pursuant to City Commission Resolution 5169, the entity awarded a contract under this RFQ
and any subcontractors must abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana
Equal Pay Act), and affirm it will abide by the above and that it has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay
for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent
“best practices publication and has read the material.
Failure to comply with the above may be cause for the City to deem the submittal non-responsive.
Any administrative questions regarding proposal procedures should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk
(406) 582-2321, agenda@bozeman.net.
All questions or clarifications relating to the RFQ scope of services, submittal contents, evaluation criteria,
or selection procedures shall be directed solely and exclusively in writing to: Frank Greenhill, Stormwater
Program Specialist, fgreenhill@bozeman.net. The respondent, and any of its associated parties, shall not
contact other City staff in the preparation of its response to this RFQ.
Emailed questions or clarifications will be accepted until Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MST
after which time the questions will be compiled, anonymized, and provided with a posted response on
the City’s RFQ webpage. Further questions will not be entertained after the question period has elapsed.
DATED at Bozeman, Montana, this 5th day of March 2021.
Mike Maas
City Clerk
City of Bozeman
For publication on:
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Sunday, March 28, 2021
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Bozeman (City), is seeking qualifications from qualified firms to provide in-person or online
Construction Site Stormwater Management Training (Training) for construction industry professionals on
their behalf. To be considered qualified, the firm must be acknowledged by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (MDEQ) as meeting the minimum requirements for training providers offering
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Preparer and Administrator trainings in the state of
Montana.
The City intends to enter into a multi-year contract with the selected firm to complete training focused on
permitting, planning, preparation, implementation, and maintenance of construction site SWPPPs and
associated erosion, sediment, and pollution control Best Management Practices (BMPs). The City intends
to pre-qualify a select firm, or firms, to perform services on an “on-call” basis as training needs arise and
funding is available.
This RFQ shall not commit the City to enter into an agreement, to pay any expenses incurred in preparation
of any response to this request, or to procure or contract for any supplies, goods or services. The City
reserves the right to accept or reject all responses received as a result of this RFQ if it is in the City’s best
interest to do so.
This procurement is governed by the laws of the State of Montana and venue for all legal proceedings
shall be in the 18th Judicial District Court, Gallatin County. By offering to perform services under this RFQ,
all Submitters agree to be bound by the laws of the State of Montana and of the City, including, but not
limited to, applicable wage rates, payments, gross receipts taxes, building codes, equal opportunity
employment practices, safety, non-discrimination, etc.
II. SCOPE OF PROJECT - PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
The City works to improve waterway health, protect public safety, and comply with its General Permit for
Stormwater Discharges Associated with Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 Permit) by
implementing a variety of subprograms. Two subprograms applicable to this RFQ include the City’s
Outreach and Education Program (Education Program) and the Construction Site Management Program
(Construction Program).
The Education Program contains active and passive engagement initiatives designed to educate key target
audiences, such as residents, certain business types, and industries known to impact the City’s stormwater
system. The construction industry is a key target audience because of the scale of development occurring
within the City of Bozeman and its failure to plan, implement, and maintain erosion, sediment, and
pollutant control best management practices (BMPs). Since 2015, the City has provided tailored training
to hundreds of construction industry professionals, spanning various topics and formats, from basic to
advanced. The training has increased compliance rates; however, the City feels there is a continued need
for outreach and relationship building, especially as the construction industry expands.
The second subprogram is the City’s Construction Program, which includes various activities developed to
administer construction stormwater management regulations on active construction sites. Work consists
of the implementation of a permitting program, site compliance inspections, and enforcement.
Training is a foundational element of both of the subprograms mentioned above, and the selection of a
qualified firm through this RFQ process will aid in the City’s continued efforts.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The City has provided general Scope of Service items below. The City does not intend for the items to be
exhaustive, but rather generally representative of the type of work that the selected firm, or firms, may
complete.
The firms will hold in-person and/or online trainings for construction industry professionals by leading the
class in discussion and providing materials, agendas, curriculums, and activities consistent with the
following themes:
Individual class containing content related to introductory stormwater erosion, sediment, and
pollutant control principles, including regulatory drivers, permitting, pollutant identification,
source reduction techniques, and BMP implementation and maintenance.
Individual class containing content related to introductory stormwater erosion, sediment, and
pollutant control principles for single-family home construction, including regulatory
requirements, permitting, pollutant identification, source control, and BMP implementation
and maintenance.
Individual class fulfilling the Montana DEQ General Permit for Stormwater Discharges
Associated with Construction Activity SWPPP Preparer and Administrator training requirements
and containing content related to preparation and administration of SWPPPs, including
regulatory requirements, permitting, pollutant identification, BMP selection, implementation,
and maintenance, BMP design specifications, major construction activity and BMP phasing, and
inspection procedures and documentation.
Individual class containing a hands on approach where students learn how to and physically
complete the installation of BMPs.
TIMELINES, DELIVERY DEADLINE, AND INSTRUCTIONS
As the initial submittal to the Citys, RFQs must be recieved no later than Friday, April 9, 2021, at 3:00
PM MST.
Contact Information: Any and all questions or clarifications relating to the RFQ scope of services,
submittal contents, evaluation criteria, or selection procedures shall be directed solely and
exclusively in writing to: Frank Greenhill, Stormwater Specialist, fgreenhill;@bozeman.net. The
respondent, and any of its associated parties, shall not contact other City staff in the preparation
of its response to this RFQ.
Amendments to Solicitation: Any interpretation or correction of this request will be published
on the City’s webpage. Any addenda that may be issued for this RFQ will be individually noticed
on the City’s RFQ webpage. It is the respondent’s responsibility to determine if any addenda
have been issued.
Questions: The deadline for questions related to this document is Wednesday, March 24, 2021
at 11:59 p.m. MST after which time the questions will be compiled, anonymized and provided
with a posted response on the City’s RFQ webpage. Further questions will not be entertained
after the question period has elapsed. The City reserves the right to amend or modify any
element of this RFQ by issuance of an addendum at any time prior to the given submittal
deadline.
Submittal Deadline: Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk by Friday, April 9, 2021, at 3:00 PM
MST. It is the sole responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received
prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be accepted and will be returned unopened.
Timeline: The timeline of events following deadline for transmittal of proposals is aspirational
and is not predetermined. The City endeavors to conduct these post-deadline events diligently
in order to arrive at contract authorization and notice to proceed by the date shown. Failure to
reach the notice to proceed milestone by the date shown imparts no liability on the part of the
City.
EVENT DATE/TIME
Publication dates of RFQ March 14 and 21, 2021
Deadline for RFQ questions &
clarifications March 24, 2021
City Response to questions &
clarifications March 26, 2021
Deadline for transmittal of proposals April 9, 2021
Evaluation of proposals April 14, 2021
Interviews (if necessary) and Selection April 15, 2021
Contract Negotiation Week of April 19, 2021
Contract Authorization & Notice to
Proceed May 2021
Timeline Modification: With the exception of the advertising dates and advertised due date, the
City reserves the right to modify the above timeline.
IV. SELECTION PROCEDURE
Statement of Qualifications: Respondents must comply with the mandatory requirements
provided in this solicitation. The selection process shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable
Montana law including those criteria set forth in §18-8-204, MCA and applicable City policy.
o Submission: By submitting its proposal the firm makes an incontrovertible and
unequivocal representation that it understands, respects, and agrees to be bound by the
terms and processes described herein that the City will employ in its review, evaluation,
selection and contract negotiations occurring under this RFQ procurement action. The
proposal shall be submitted as stated in the notice.
o Evaluation of RFQs: The selection committee shall consist of no less than three persons
representing the City. The selection committee will review conforming RFQ responses
using the criteria listed below. RFQ responses that do not contain the required
documentation will be deemed nonresponsive to this solicitation and may be rejected.
o Revisions: Responses will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to
opportunity for discussion and revision of responses, and such revisions may be
permitted, after submissions and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining best and
final responses.
o Evaluation & Elimination: After evaluating all conforming responses based on the criteria
herein the selection committee may eliminate one or more or all Respondents from
further review if they do not meet the qualification criteria specified herein. Any
Respondents eliminated by the selection committee, at any time, or for any reason, shall
have no opportunity to make revisions or participate further in the selection process.
o Interviews: After reviewing conforming RFQ responses, the selection committee may
decide to schedule interviews with qualified respondents. Each firm selected for
interview will be notified of the specific time for their interview. The format of the
interview will be left up to the proposing firm; however, interviews will be [45] minutes
inclusive of questions from the selection committee, with 15 minutes between interviews
for transitions and set up between Respondents.
o Selection and Final Recommendation: The selection committee will tally the scores for
the RFQ. At that time contract negotiations will take place between the City and
successful Respondent. The City may negotiate a contract with the next highest ranked
Respondent if a contract cannot be made.
Proposal Format: Deliver one (1) original digital copy via email, prepared as follows:
o RFQ responses shall contain a cover letter, not exceeding one page in length, signed by
an officer or principal of the responding prime firm. Digital signatures are allowed.
o RFQ responses must be contained within 10 total pages or less, including whatever
graphics, charts, tables, figures and text narrative the firm deems necessary and
appropriate. Page size shall be no larger than 8-l/2 x 11 inches, with margins no smaller
than 0.75 inches, and text information no smaller than 11-point type.
o The following pages are exempted from the maximum 10 page limit: Cover Page,
Nondiscrimination and Eqiual Pay Affirmation, Cover Letter, Table of Contents Page,
Divider Pages, Resumes, and Training Example. Page size for exempted pages remains
limited to 8-l/2 x 11 inches, with no smaller than 0.75” margins, and text no smaller than
11-point type.
o Schedules may be submitted in addition to the page limit.
Proposal Content: Proposals must clearly identify any elements of the proposed scope of
services that would not be provided by the primary firm. Any sub-firms which comprise the
respondent team must be identified along with a description of past working history between
the firms. Proposals must contain the following information and be organized under the
headings below:
o Experience: Respondent must demonstrate successful experience and capacity to act as
a contractor on projects of similar size, type and complexity. Provide the name and
location of each project, the client, and the contact person and phone number. Describe
experience and qualifications of the professional personnel to be assigned to this project.
Describe your recent and current work for the City of Bozeman, if any.
o Firm Background: Provide information about the firm, including location. Describe the
firm’s history. Include information identifying the firm’s annual volume of business,
financial/bonding capacities, and speak to the firm’s stability in the marketplace.
Information identifying the firm’s strengths and weaknesses along with special
capabilities that may be appropriate to the Project will assist in the evaluation.
o Firm Workload: Provide the status of current and anticipated work within the firm in
terms of time and magnitude for the anticipated Project schedule as it relates to
availability of key personnel and your firm. Describe the firm’s capability to meet time
and project budget requirements.
o Claims: At any time in the last ten (10) years has your firm been assessed and paid
liquidated damages after completion of a project under a contract with a public owner?
o References: Provide detailed contact information for the City for at least five (5) project
undertaken by your firm within the past five years.
o Training Example: Provide a sample class curriculum and set of materials.
o Nondiscrimination Affirmation Form (see Attachment A): Failure to provide a signed
Nondiscrimination Affirmation may disqualify the firm from selection.
Evaluation Criteria: Qualifications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee who will
individually score them out of a total of 100 possible points based on the criteria below.The
scoring criteria and possible point values are:
o Respondent’s experience with projects of similar size and design: 40 Possible Points
o Firm’s qualifications: 20 Possible Points
o Capabilities to meet time schedule and project budget requirements: 20 Possible Points
o Present and projected workloads: 10 Possible Points
o Past projects/experience working with the City of Bozeman: 5 Possible Points
o Office(s) location: 5 Possible Points
V. FORM OF AGREEMENT
The final contract documents will be disclosed to Respondents during contract negotiations.
VI. CITY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
All proposals submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of the City and public records
and, as such, may be subject to public review.
A SUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON ANY
RESPONDENTS AND SHALL NOT OBLIGATE THE CITY IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER. THE CITY RESERVES
THE RIGHT TO MAKE NO AWARD AND TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AT A
LATER DATE.
This RFQ may be canceled or any or all responses may be rejected in whole or in part, as
specified herein, when it is in the best interests of the City. If the City cancels or revises this RFQ,
all Respondents who submitted will be notified using email.
The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all submissions; to add or delete items
and/or quantities; to amend the RFQ; to waive any minor irregularities, informalities, or failure
to conform to the RFQ; to extend the deadline for submitting proposals; to postpone award for
up to 60 days; to award one or more contracts, by item or task, or groups of items or tasks, if so
provided in the RFQ and if multiple awards are determined by the City to be in the public
interest.
The City reserves the right to reject the submission of any person/firm who previously failed to
perform properly to the satisfaction of the City, or complete on time agreements of similar
nature, or to reject the submission of any person/firm who is not in a position to perform such
an agreement satisfactorily as determined by the City.
The City reserves the right to determine the best qualified Respondents and negotiate a final
scope of service and cost, negotiate a contract with another Respondents if an agreement
cannot be reached with the first selected Respondents, or reject all proposals.
The successful Respondents will be required to enter into a contract with the City, which will
incorporate the Respondents' scope of service and work schedule as part of the agreement.
This RFQ does not commit the City to award a contract. The City assumes no liability or
responsibility for costs incurred by Respondents in responding to this request for qualifications
or request for interviews, additional data, or other information with respect to the selection
process, prior to the issuance of an agreement, contract or purchase order. The Respondents,
by submitting a response to this RFQ, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies
whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFQ.
This project is subject to the availability of funds.
VII. NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY POLICY
The City of Bozeman requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm, on a separate form
provided, that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status,
national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual preference, gender
identity, or disability in fulfillment of a contract entered into for the services identified herein and that
this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s
employees and to all subcontracts it enters into in the fulfillment of the services identified herein.
Failure to comply with this requirement shall be cause for the submittal to be deemed nonresponsive.
The City requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm it will abide by the Equal Pay Act
of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana
Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers,
or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material.
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
No Oral Agreements: No conversations or oral agreements with any officer, employee, or agent
of the City shall affect or modify any term of this solicitation. Oral communications or any
written/email communication between any person and City officer, employee or agent shall not
be considered binding.
No Partnership/Business Organization: Nothing in this solicitation or in any subsequent
agreement, or any other contract entered into as a result of this solicitation, shall constitute,
create, give rise to or otherwise be recognized as a partnership or formal business organization
of any kind between or among the respondent and the City.
Employment Restriction and Indemnity: No person who is an owner, officer, employee,
contractor, or firm of a respondent shall be an officer or employee of the City. No rights of the
City’s retirement or personnel rules accrue to a respondent, its officers, employees, contractors,
or firms. Respondents shall have the responsibility of all salaries, wages, bonuses, retirement,
withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance,
unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums appurtenant thereto
concerning its officers, employees, contractors, and firms. Each Respondent shall save and hold
the City harmless with respect to any and all claims for payment, compensation, salary, wages,
bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease
compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and
premiums in any way related to each respondent’s officers, employees, contractors and firms.
Accessibility: Upon reasonable notice, the City will provide assistance for those persons with
sensory impairments. For further information please contact the ADA Coordinator Mike Gray at
406-582-3232 or the City’s TTY line at 406-582-2301.
Procurement: When discrepancies occur between words and figures in this solicitation, the
words shall govern. No responsibility shall attach to a City employee for the premature opening
of an SOQ not properly addressed and identified in accordance with these documents.
Governing Law: This solicitation and any disputes arising hereunder or under any future
agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of Montana, without reference to principles of choice or conflicts of laws.
IX. ATTACHMENTS
The following exhibits are incorporated in this RFQ:
Attachment A: Non-Discrimination Affirmation
Attachment B: City of Bozeman and Montana State University Stormwater Management Plan
END OF RFQ
Attachment A
NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or
because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and
understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above
and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees
and to all subcontracts.
In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will
abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has
visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website,
https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has
read the material.
______________________________________
Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter