The full Request for Proposal is available here and on the project website in the Documents section at www.talkto.ecicog.org/east-central-iowa-climate-pollution-reduction-grant.

The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) seeks a consultant or team of consultants to provide assistance as we develop the East Central Iowa Climate Action Plan, a planning effort funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. The CPRG program is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help advance the goals of the federal Justice40 Initiative.

ECICOG seeks assistance with the following elements of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in accordance with EPA requirements and guidance available here:

• Comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory by county for a six-county region
• Near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) GHG emissions projections by sector by county for a six-county region
• Near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) GHG emissions targets for the region
• Quantified GHG reduction measures (i.e. action steps) for all sectors
• Benefits analysis (co-pollutant reduction, public health outcomes, economic benefits, increased climate resilience, etc.) for GHG reduction measures
• Low-Income/Disadvantaged Communities specific benefits analysis for GHG reduction measures
• Workforce planning analysis
• Community engagement with stakeholders and low-income and disadvantaged communities
• CCAP document content development and design with assistance from ECICOG

ECICOG's regional Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) is due to EPA by August 10, 2025. ECICOG plans to submit the plan no later than August 8, 2025.

The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is an intergovernmental council established in 1973 under Chapter 28E and provided for under Chapter 28H of the Code of Iowa. Our mission is to help build vibrant, forward-thinking communities and a collaborative and resilient region. ECICOG's skilled staff has been providing innovative services across our region for nearly 50 years by leveraging state and local resources, promoting regional collaboration, planning for the future, and sharing technical skills.

ECICOG is the lead coordinating agency for the EPA's CPRG program's planning grant to the Cedar Rapids MSA and Iowa City MSAs, which include Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties. To incorporate existing sustainability and climate action planning expertise within the region, ECICOG convened a technical advisory committee that includes the sustainability and climate action staff from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Johnson County, and Linn County.

The City of Cedar Rapids and City of Iowa City have existing climate action plans. Johnson and Linn counties each have a comprehensive plan that includes sustainability-related priorities and goals. The East Central Iowa Climate Action Plan is the first regional CCAP for the six-county region, and the contractor will need to assist ECICOG with the incorporation of existing plans into a CCAP that meets EPA requirements and diverse circumstances and priorities across the region.

ECICOG highly encourages partnerships among consultants to provide expert and locally relevant assistance with the diverse elements of a regional CCAP. Desired qualifications for a consultant or team of consultants include:

• Extensive knowledge of the GHG emissions inventory development process, including a solid understanding of the EPA Local Greenhouse Inventory Tool and a proven track record of delivering accurate and timely inventory reports.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in GHG emissions projections.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in setting GHG reduction targets.
• Ability to identify and quantify locally relevant GHG reduction measures.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in estimating costs to implement GHG reduction measures.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in analyzing workforce issues related to climate action.
• Prior experience working with regional and local governments and agencies to develop climate action plans.
• Prior experience facilitating a public outreach and engagement strategy that prioritizes equity and low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• Prior experience developing plan content and design elements.

If a team of consultants respond to this RFP, ECICOG expects a primary contractor to manage the team members as subcontractors. ECICOG will not contract with team members separately. Bidders must indicate which team member is the primary contractor. In addition, bidders using a team of consultants must clearly state which team member is responsible for each task in the Scope of Work.

The full scope of work, instructions to bidders, proposal format and content, evaluation criteria, and federal contract requirements are included in the full Request for Proposal available here and on the project website in the Documents section at www.talkto.ecicog.org/east-central-iowa-climate-pollution-reduction-grant.