Application Deadline
VHCB and its partners have initiated a strategic process to prioritize conservation actions and investments for Vermont in a statewide conservation plan, which will direct work over the next thirty years to protect, maintain and enhance a healthy, ecologically connected and functioning, natural and working landscape.
Nature of Services Required
The consultant(s) retained under this Request shall assist VHCB, its conservation partners and stakeholders, with the following outcomes, divided into two discrete phases of work:
Phase One
In Phase I, the consultant(s) will work with technical staff at VHCB and its conservation partners to propose and implement a specific scope of work to:
- Establish a baseline catalog, inventory and analysis of the current state and degrees of durable “conservation” in Vermont, based on existing data currently held by VHCB and its partners;
- Within this catalog, identify conservation outcomes across different categories of land and water protected, acreage included in different categories, tools and strategies employed, and different funding programs;
- Organize the data collected in a spatially explicit and shareable format;
- Identify and articulate data gaps within the catalog;
- Recommend system improvements to maintain and update data consistently and accurately into the future; and
- Assist VHCB and its partners with outreach and education, including publication and dissemination of the work completed in this Phase I.
Phase Two
In Phase II, the consultant(s) will work with VHCB and its partners to propose and implement a specific scope of work to develop and adopt a statewide conservation plan, including establishing goals and priorities for the plan. Specific goals for the plan and planning process include: how to increase the rate and quality of conservation work, build partner capacity to acquire, hold and steward conserved land, and develop our statewide conservation plan through an inclusive process. More specifically, consultant(s) will lead and facilitate a core group of stakeholders, named by VHCB, in plan development, leadership and facilitation of meetings with a broader set of stakeholders and the public, and draft, on behalf of VHCB, a written conservation plan.
- This plan will build upon the baseline catalog developed in Phase I to detail science- and values-based goals and priorities for conservation actions and investments in Vermont over the next thirty years, including new and existing strategies and tools for Vermont’s conservation actions, climate resilience, and increased equitable access and environmental justice.
- In addition to land protection goals and priorities, the plan will identify costs of implementation, as well as revenue options and funding opportunities to increase the pace and quality of land and water conservation and protection, stewardship, and organizational, partner and technical capacity.
- While VHCB and its partners will help to direct the initiative, consultant(s) must be able to structure, facilitate and lead a process of public outreach, education and input into the goals, process and outcomes.
- Stakeholder and public participants may include public and private land managers, land trusts, funders, environmental justice and conservation policy advocates, Indigenous groups and representatives from historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities, farm, forest and recreation land owners, and representatives from working lands enterprises, outdoor recreation organizations, municipalities, conservation commissions, other local grass roots initiatives, and other groups who support and benefit from conservation investments.
Timeline, Hours and Program Activity
VHCB is looking for (a) consultant(s) to begin work on Phase I of the project as soon as April 3, 2023, with the goal of publishing a draft report by July 1, 2023, and a final report by Oct. 1, 2023.
VHCB is looking for a consultant to begin work on Phase II of the project by July 1, 2023, with multiple rounds of public process to continue through 2023 and into the spring / summer of 2024, with the goal of completing work by September 30, 2024.
Both phases of work will require independent work and research, data compilation, report writing and other work product preparation, meeting routinely with VHCB, its partners and stakeholders, as well as facilitating the specific outreach needed to complete the different tasks called for in each phase of the work.
While much of the work can be completed working remotely, it is anticipated that in-person meetings with VHCB, partners, and stakeholder groups will be needed.
Travel Eligible for Reimbursement
It is expected that some travel inside Vermont will be required to perform these services. Reimbursement for travel time and mileage (at the prevailing federal rate) will be provided for travel pre-approved by the VHCB.
Period of Contract
The contract period will begin on or after April 1, 2023, and end no later than December 31, 2024. Consultant must be available on a schedule that allows for effective and timely interaction with VHCB and its partners.
Payment
Consultant will submit invoices and be paid on a monthly basis for actual hours worked, including research, meetings, project communication, preparation of written work product, and pre-approved travel. Consultant will not be an employee of the VHCB, and no benefits are provided.
Read the full proposal for qualifications and requirements.
Proposal Content
- Proposals should be in letter form, no longer than five pages, and should include the following:
- A statement demonstrating understanding and alignment with the goals of the project as described in this RFP.
- Experience and qualifications of all team members, including attached resume(s).
- Examples of previous successful related work.
- Availability of proposer during the period of the contract.
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Hourly rate.
Evaluation Criteria
All proposals submitted will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Qualifications of consultant, including consultant’s demonstrated understanding and alignment with the project.
- Hourly rate proposed for tasks under contract.
- Ability to complete scope of work within required timeframe.
- Availability throughout entire contract period.
Submission
Proposals must be received by April 24, 2023.
Proposals may be submitted by email to @email or by regular mail to:
Trey Martin, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, 58 East State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Questions may be directed to Mr. Martin by March 17, 2023, at (802) 505-0986 or @email.