1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & PURPOSE: 

Yuma County, in Colorado, is seeking formal qualifications from qualified environmental, engineering, and regulatory consulting firms to perform an independent, comprehensive technical review of a Major Land Use Permit application submitted by a Wind Company for a proposed utility-scale wind energy facility project.

The selected consultant will act as an independent advisor to Yuma County, evaluating the applicant’s submitted documentation for completeness, factual and scientific accuracy, engineering competency, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards.

2.   PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Currently, there are two companies that are pursuing wind energy facility projects in Yuma County. Whichever company comes first, will be the first implementation of a wind project in Yuma County.  Yuma County has worked extensively on its Land Use code to be ready for a wind energy facility project, but still lacks knowledge of how one of these projects develop.  Yuma County is looking for a partner that is interested in helping protect our interests, and ensure that the wind company is above board.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES:

The selected firm will provide expert technical review and advisory services. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Document Completeness & Accuracy Audit: Review all permit submission materials—including technical reports, impact models, and environmental assessments—for factual accuracy, consistency, and compliance with local land use ordinances.

• Engineering & Competency Evaluation: Assess the engineering soundness and methodology of proposed site layouts, civil works, electrical designs, geotechnical surveys, and structural considerations.

• Specialized Impact Analysis Assessment:
  • • Acoustics & Shadow Flicker: Validate sound propagation models, baseline noise measurements, and shadow flicker projections against established thresholds.
    • Environmental & Wildlife Impacts: Review biological assessments, wetland delineations, avian/bat impact mitigation plans, and habitat disturbance studies.
    • Decommissioning & Reclamation: Evaluate the proposed decommissioning plan, cost estimates, and financial assurance mechanisms for adequacy and realism.
    • Public Safety & Infrastructure: Review setback compliance, road impact agreements, emergency response plans, and ice throw/blade throw hazard evaluations.
    • Gap Analysis & Information Requests: Identify deficiencies, missing data, or questionable methodologies in the developer's submission and draft detailed Requests for Further Information (RFIs).
    • Summary Reports & Public Presentation: Prepare concise technical memoranda summarizing findings, recommendations, and suggested permit conditions. Present key findings at public hearings or staff meetings as required.

The anticipated project duration is approximately two (2) to four (4) months.

4. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS:

Yuma County is seeking consultant teams with the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience preparing comprehensive plans or similar long-range planning documents
• Experience designing and facilitating public engagement processes
• Familiarity with rural and agricultural communities
• Experience working in Yuma County or with nearby or comparable counties is preferred

5.    SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Interested consultants must submit a proposal containing the following items:

1. Firm Qualifications & Background: Overview of the firm, core practice areas, and office locations.
2. Relevant Experience: Summaries of at least three (3) similar engagements conducted in the past five (5) years involving utility-scale wind energy permit reviews or major land use reviews for a local Rural County.
3. Key Personnel: Resumes and qualifications of the specific project manager and subject matter experts (e.g., PE-certified engineers, acoustical engineers, wildlife biologists) assigned to this project.
4. Approach & Methodology: A brief description of the consultant's proposed workflow, quality assurance protocol, and timeline for completing the review.
5. Conflict of Interest Statement: Understanding that we do not have a Wind Energy A signed disclosure confirming no direct financial, contractual, or organizational conflicts of interest with [Wind Developer/Company Name] or its subsidiaries.
6. Fee Structure / Rate Sheet: Hourly rates for assigned personnel and standard billing policies. Please provide a ballpark figure of cost and timeline for completion.
7.  (submitted in a separate sealed envelope or attachment if required by procurement rules).
8. Submissions: shall not exceed ten (10) pages and should consist of simple, clearly organized documents. Marketing materials, brochures, and elaborate presentation formats will not be considered.
9. Output document: does not need to be brochure type documents.

Submissions shall be emailed to:

Jodi Brady
Yuma County Land Use Administrator
 jbrady@yumacountyco.gov

Submission Deadline: November 23, 2026

1. REVIEW PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

Submissions will be evaluated by the Yuma County Land Use Administrator. Selected firms may be invited for interviews.

1. Cost Effectiveness (30%): cost across the board.  Because we don’t have a full picture of the project, reasonableness of hourly rates and overall fee structure.
2. Technical Expertise & Experience (20%): Demonstrated competence in utility-scale wind power engineering, environmental impact analysis, and county land use regulation.
3. Qualifications of Key Personnel (10%): Direct experience and relevant certifications of the specific staff assigned to the review.
4. Quality of Past Performance (10%): Clarity and rigor of the proposed review process and quality assurance protocols.
5. Client References (10%): Feedback from previous clients.
6. Knowledge of local conditions (10%): Yuma County Colorado
7. Knowledge of State or Federal requirements (10%): State of Colorado

Anticipated Schedule:

• RFQ Submission Deadline: November 23, 2026 by 5:00 PM
• Proposal Review: November 24 – November 30, 2026
• Consultant Selection: November 30, 2026 – December 4th, 2026

With holidays coming up, Yuma County reserves the right to push out all dates if necessary.

7.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jodi Brady
Yuma County Land Use Administrator
310 Ash Street, Suite J
Wray, CO 80758
📞 970-332-0930
📧 jbrady@yumacountyco.gov