PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected TREDC to receive a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant for $14.7 million to develop a biomass-to-biochar facility. Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced through pyrolysis of sustainably sourced woody biomass. Research indicates that biochar production sequesters carbon dioxide, reduces wildfire risk, improves forest resilience, and benefits agricultural productivity. The primary objective of this project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The project is sited on approximately 11 acres near the intersection of State Highways 99 and 190, at 645 Hamlin Road, Tipton, California, in the County of Tulare. The 11 acres are part of a larger, 45-acre property owned by TREDC. The site has four large existing structures:

1. A Scale House (1,500 sq. ft.), which will need to be safely demolished and replaced.
2. An East Rigid Structure (Metal) Storage Building (15,000 sq. ft.), which requires minor renovations.
3. A West Rigid Structure (Metal) Storage Building (9,000 sq. ft.), which requires minor renovations.
4. A Pole Barn (52,000 sq. ft.), which will need to be fully enclosed.

The site must be prepared for the installation and operation of multiple biochar production units (BPUs). This includes office space and restrooms for on-site staff, as well as infrastructure for drivers weighing loads, dropping off biomass, and picking up biochar. Storage space will be needed for chipped woody biomass feedstock as well as for the biochar itself.

Specific task items are included in the Scope of Work section below.

SCOPE OF WORK

The following Scope of Work outlines the required elements of the AE:

1. The work to be done under this RFP consists of but is not limited to:
   • Securing necessary construction permits.
   • Demolition and replacement of existing Scale House.
   • New Scale installation, reusing existing pit.
   • Building cleaning and site clean-up.
   • New privacy fencing installation around the site.
   • Open Lot grading.
   • Siting underground drainage to pond.
   • Siting water lines.
   • Siting underground gas lines.
   • Electrical work at shops and site lighting.
   • Random repairs and some glass or screen replacement on both metal storage buildings.
   • Backfilling pits and placing concrete inside both metal storage buildings.
   • Bathroom remodeling for 2 shops.
   • Installation of two roll up doors for unloading zone.
   • Enclosure of the existing pole barn by adding siding.
   • Replacing the pole barn fan.
   • Following a soil management plan.
2. The AE shall be responsible for preparing any reports and complying with requirements of local, state or federal agencies having jurisdiction over the subject property and coordinating any survey and investigation work with these agencies.
3. The AE will conduct site meetings with representatives of TREDC, and as applicable, any representatives of any local, state or federal agencies having jurisdiction over the property.
4. The AE will conduct one (1) presentation meeting with TREDC to review findings and recommendations.

RFP GUIDELINES

All inquiries related to this RFP are to be in writing via email directed only to the individuals listed below. Information obtained from any other source is not official and shall not be relied upon. Inquiries will be received until 5:00 pm Pacific Time on May 12, 2025, and responses will be distributed to all potential Respondents.

Representative in charge of project: Liam Huber

Email: Liam@tuleriver.com

Additional Rep responding to questions: Ivette Crosser

Email: Ivette@tuleriver.com

Optional pre-bid meeting and site walk are scheduled for April 25, 2025 @ 9:00am. Participants will meet at the Project location at 645 Hamlin Rd, Tipton CA 93272 at the time stated above. Technical questions will be answered at this meeting. Please submit the names of everyone that will be attending by April 23, 2025.

Respondents must submit one digital copy via email to Liam@tuleriver.com. All proposals must be received by 5:00 pm Pacific Time on May 12, 2025.

Late proposals will not be accepted.

Proposals will not be evaluated if the Respondent's current or past corporate or other interests may, according to the owner, give rise to a conflict of interest.

PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CHECKLIST

Please include the following sections in your proposal submittal in the following order.

• Cover/Transmittal letter: Cover letter must be addressed to company contact and signed by a legally authorized representative of the respondent. The cover letter must summarize key provisions of the proposal and must include name, address, phone, and email of the respondent contact.
• Title Page: A title page including the name and number of the RFP, closing date and time and Respondent's name, address, and primary contact person and contact information.
• Table of Contents: Including proposal elements and page numbers.
• Executive Summary: A short, (one to two page) summary that includes the key provisions of the proposal, including understanding of TREDC goals, pricing, respondent's role on project, brief description of proposed system, financing, relevant experience of respondent/company, and key timeline dates.
• Company Profile: Years in business, description of respondent/company background, applicable state licensing, OSHA background and safety protocol, Insurance, Quality Assurance/Quality Control documentation.
• Project Experience: Include projects completed in the last 3 years similar in scope and size to the Project. Include project name, system size, location, and brief 2-3 sentence project description. Highlight companies permitting and interconnection experience with local utility.
• References: Provide 3 project references with direct client phone numbers.
• Project Team: Organization chart and bios (length of time with firm, key projects) of key team members, capability to perform work/workload capacity. Please only profile the individual that will directly be working on this project. Clearly identify the project manager.
• Proposal for Completing the Scope of Work: Describe your technical approach to the architectural and engineering services for the Project as further detailed in the Scope of Work section below.
• Proposed Schedule: Identify key project milestones and include any necessary review periods for TREDC. The below timetables must be included in overall schedule:
  • • Completing preliminary plans and associated cost estimates.
    • Completing final plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
    • Securing required government approvals.
    • Completing proposed contract documents sufficient for soliciting bids.
• Safety: Please include a brief description of the safety practices of your firm, as well as the OSHA Reporting Indicators for the last 3 years.
• Professional Licenses: List and describe all current applicable professional licenses.
• Appendices: Include any documents and information that the Respondent wishes to submit as part of its proposal.

All proposals must be signed by an authorized person/designee to sign on behalf of the Respondent and to bind the Respondent to statements made in response to this RFP.

Please include the following certification as part of the cover letter: By signing this cover letter, I (we) certify that the information contained in this proposal is accurate and that all attachments required to be submitted as part of the proposal are certified to be true and binding upon our company.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR RESPONDENTS

1. Proposals must be for the performance of all services described within this RFP. TREDC will not consider any deviation from these specifications and will reject such proposals.
2. TREDC may reject a proposal if the proposal is conditional or incomplete, deemed nonresponsive, or if it contains any alterations of form or other irregularities of any kind.
3. Respondents are responsible for the costs of developing proposals and TREDC is not responsible for any proposal preparation costs.
4. Respondents may withdraw their proposal by submitting a written withdrawal request to TREDC, signed by the Respondent or their authorized agent, through the contact person named in the "Contact Information" provided on page iv of this RFP.
5. TREDC may modify the RFP prior to the date given for submission of proposals by posting an addendum on www.tuleriveredc.com. TREDC will notify Respondents so they can obtain any addenda from TREDC's website or request it by email.
6. TREDC reserves the right to not award a contract if no qualified proposals are received.
7. TREDC will not consider more than one proposal from an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association under the same or different names. Reasonable grounds for believing that any Respondent has submitted more than one proposal for work contemplated herein will cause TREDC to reject all proposals submitted by the Respondent. If there is reason to believe that collusion exists among the Respondents, TREDC will not consider any of the participants of such collusion in this or future solicitations.
8. TREDC will not consider a joint proposal submitted by two or more entities.
9. Additional charges for regular or express delivery, drayage, parcel post, packing, cartage, insurance, license fees, permits, or for any other purpose shall be included (and separately identified) in the proposal.
10. Respondents are responsible for examining the entire RFP package, seeking clarification for any item or requirement that may not be clear to them, and checking all responses in their proposal for accuracy before submitting it.
11. TREDC representatives reserve the right to inspect a Respondent's other operations prior to any award of a contract.
12. TREDC reserves the right to negotiate the final terms and conditions of the contract, which may differ from those contained in the proposal, provided TREDC considers such negotiation to be in its best interest. Any change in the terms and conditions must not create a material change, which is any alteration or modification to the original terms stated in the RFP that would have resulted in different proposals from all respondents. A material change will require TREDC to rebid the contract.

FEES AND INSURANCE

Proposals shall include estimated fees to complete the project as described under Project Scope:

1. Estimated fees must include all labor, materials, equipment, professional services, insurance, travel, profit, and all other costs and expenses for the proposed project.
2. Submit an itemized fee schedule as a basis for all proposed services and any extra services not included in item (1) above, if applicable.
3. Provide proof of insurance coverage for proposed services shall include general liability and property damage insurance that shall include automobile liability insurance in a combined single limit of not less than $1 million dollars. Professional Liability Insurance (E&O) coverage of $1 million is also required.
4. Provide proof of Workers Compensation coverage.
5. The selected firm shall provide, within ten (10) calendar days after the notice of award is issued, a copy of their existing liability insurance certificate with an Accord policy rider naming the Tule River Economic Development Corporation (TREDC) and its officers, employees, and agents as an additionally named insured on said policies. Such insurance coverage shall be maintained in full force and effect for the duration of the Contract and must be in a form satisfactory to TREDC.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA

TREDC will evaluate proposals according to the evaluation criteria below. The result of this step will be the identification of the selection of a proposal for negotiation of a contract. Points will be awarded based on the relative merit of the information provided in the response to the solicitation. Selection based on the total number of points awarded by the evaluation committee.

• Proposal Cost Effectiveness — 35 points
• Technical Approach/ Implementation Schedule — 30 points
• Company Qualifications/Project Experience — 20 points
• Project team, team experience and approach — 15 points
• Preference Points for Native Owned Firms — 5 points