TOWN OF PLAINFIELD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BROWNFIELDS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Transcription

1 TOWN OF PLAINFIELD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BROWNFIELDS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 1. Description of Project The Town of Plainfield ( Town ) has been awarded a $200,000 site-specific brownfields assessment grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ). The site to be assessed is the former InterRoyal Corporation property located at 20 Reservoir Street. The Town of Plainfield does not own the site. However, under Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-133dd, the Town has legal access to the site to conduct brownfields investigations if either the owner of the site cannot be located, the property is encumbered by a lien for taxes due to the municipality, or any official of the municipality reasonably finds an investigation is necessary to determine if such property presents a risk to the safety, health or welfare of the public or a risk to the environment. The Town meets the criteria for entry onto the site to conduct a brownfields assessment because 1) InterRoyal Corporation, a defunct corporation that no longer exists as a legal entity, is the sole owner of the site; 2) InterRoyal Corporation is in arrears to the Town by an amount of approximately $771,408 for combined property taxes and sewer assessments; and 3) the Town recognizes that the site represents a risk to the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the environment. Although the Town has, under authorization of C.G.S. Section 22a-133dd, conducted previous environmental investigations of the site, the extent of this risk has not been fully characterized. The site is a former manufacturing facility that was constructed in 1906 and operated until From 1906 to the 1940s the site manufactured textiles. After that time the site manufactured both textiles and furniture. In the mid-1950s InterRoyal Corporation converted site use to the manufacture of institutional furniture. Manufacturing operations ceased in 1986 due to the bankruptcy of InterRoyal. Between 1984 and 1995 InterRoyal leased portions of the site to a plastics recycler, woodworking company, and plumbing warehouse. EPA conducted a preliminary assessment and site investigation of the site in 1991, documenting that drums and bulk chemicals remained in the building. In 1995, once the property was fully abandoned, EPA removed large volumes of hazardous contaminants from the site, including over 680 drums and other containers containing acids/bases, cyanides, flammable liquids, and other hazardous substances; 48 vats containing over 10,000 gallons of plating solutions; and five large transformers containing 3,866 gallons of PCB-contaminated oil. In EPA's Brownfields Program conducted a TBA to characterize asbestos, lead, and other hazardous substances at the site. In 2003, EPA conducted another removal action which primarily addressed site access issues, PCBs, and asbestos. This action involved posting warning signs, putting up site perimeter fencing, and excavating and removing PCBcontaminated surface soils. The northern (3-story) portion of the mill building burned in a massive fire that took place on April 26, 2005 and lasted for two days. The fire spread asbestos- and lead-contaminated debris and ash over a large area of the Town. After the fire, EPA conducted an additional removal action from 2005 to 2006 to clean up lead- and asbestos-contaminated debris from the site and the downwind debris field.

2 Contaminants identified on or within the site s buildings, soils, and groundwater are a major impediment to site redevelopment and represent a risk of exposure to human and environmental receptors. The southern portion of the site is located within the Zone II of the municipal well field that supplies the Town of Plainfield public water system. Contaminants in the remaining structure require abatement prior to demolition, whereas soil and groundwater contaminants require remediation to prevent exposure to existing and future human and environmental receptors. At least seven Areas of Concern (AOCs) exist on the site including underground and above ground storage tanks, former locations of PCB-containing transformers, a paint sludge disposal area, former hazardous waste storage area, vapor degreaser area, metal plating area, paint line drag out trench, and the Bonderizer (a metal washing machine) sump. The roof field and thermal insulation of the remaining buildings contain asbestos. Assessment and quantification of structure-associated and soil and groundwater contamination is not complete. These data gaps are hindering the evaluation of human and environmental risk assessments, and the preparation of defensible remedial action plans and cleanup and abatement specifications, which are needed to remove environmental hazards and prepare the site for redevelopment. Redevelopment of the site is vital as it is located in the heart of the Village of Plainfield. The dilapidated structures and contaminated soil and groundwater represent a significant impediment to redevelopment of not only the site, but of other abandoned and underused properties in the community, which consists of several neighborhoods of former mill housing occupied by low and lower-middle income households. The close proximity of the site to the Town s municipal offices has adversely impacted new business investment. The site s blighted, deteriorated buildings literally form a backdrop to the municipal offices, and project a strong negative image of the Town as a place where new businesses would want to invest. In the 1990s the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the Town a grant to construct an underground flood bypass conduit through the InterRoyal property to eliminate the flood hazard in the Village of Plainfield. Because the Town was unable to fund the disposal of contaminated site soils along the conduit corridor, the USDA withdrew the grant and flood hazard was left unabated. As a result, insurance costs remain prohibitive for Village businesses, creating another barrier to revitalization of the neighborhood. 2. Qualification Proposals A one step process is being used to select a Licensed Environmental Professional to lead this project. This process includes a combined qualification proposal and cost proposal. Finalists will be required to make a 30 minute presentation to the selection committee. 3. Scope of Work a. Development of QAPP This task will be performed by a qualified environmental consultant under contract with the Town. b. Hazardous Material Assessment This task will be performed by a qualified environmental consultant under contract with the Town. Work will include: Preparation of Phase II report Preparation of draft cleanup alternatives plan Preparation of draft remedial action plan

3 c. Miscellaneous Other activities as may be necessary, including but not limited to participation in meetings with the EPA, CT DEEP, and local community organizations. 4. RFP Response Contents a. Letter of Transmittal The prospective Consultant s response shall include a letter of transmittal not to exceed one (1) page, signed by an individual(s) authorized to bind the prospective Consultant contractually. The letter must state that the RFP will remain valid from the date of submission through 1 PM on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, the deadline for submission of the RFP response, and thereafter until the prospective consultant withdraws it, a contract is executed, or the procurement is terminated by the Town, whichever comes first. The transmittal letter shall include the name, title, physical address, address, and telephone number of one or more individuals who can respond to requests for additional information as well as one or more individuals who are authorized to negotiate and execute a contract on the prospective Consultant s behalf. b. Proposal Scope and Quality Understanding of the Scope of Work The proposal must describe the prospective Consultant s general understanding of the scope of work and the key issues associated with performing the required services in the specific disciplines involved. In addition, the proposal must include statements covering the prospective Consultant s familiarity with the project and describing unusual conditions or problems the prospective Consultant believes may be encountered. The proposal must provide a project task list, with the timing and a description of each task. Approach and Methodology Please provide a detailed written description of the proposed approach to the scope of work, including the tasks enumerated in the Scope of Work. The Town seeks creative, proven approaches to address the challenges inherent in this project and to achieve the desired outcome for the InterRoyal Corporation property. Key issues include: Ability to meet all applicable state and federal regulations governing site cleanup in general. The proposed Scope of Work must comply with the terms and conditions of the EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. Methodologies to perform confirmatory sampling. Technologies or testing methods utilized to assess specific types of contamination. Innovative ideas for maximizing the value and amount of work that can be completed within the available budget for this project. The prospective Consultant should provide rationale and evidence of the value and effectiveness of the proposed approach to the Scope of Work.

4 Incorporation of green and sustainable (GSR) techniques which minimize the negative impacts of site assessment. Plan of Services & Timeline The prospective Consultant must furnish a Plan of Services describing the specific method(s) for completing the Scope of Services within the established deadline. The Plan of Services must include a detailed description of the tasks to be performed by the Consultant; the number of man-hours and other resources required to complete each task; and the expected time to complete each task. The Plan of Services should include time schedules and milestones, personnel assignments, and other information as necessary to demonstrate the Consultant s ability to complete the project on time. The Plan of Services must explain how the Consultant provides quality control for each task. The Prospective Consultant must list contact information for any subcontractors if applicable. Time of Performance It is the goal of the Town to have the Scope of Work completed by September 30, The selected Consultant will enter into a contract with the Town for the completion of all work necessary to meet the requirements outlined in the Scope of Work. The selection of the Consultant will be based on the professional qualification, past performance records for similar projects, the content of the proposal, and consideration of the Town s overall needs for the project. c. Recent Projects and References Provide a description of the history, experience, and qualifications of individual(s)/firm and any proposed subcontractors to perform the Scope of Services. This should include: Resumés of all principals assigned to the project. List of similar projects undertaken Description of any similar projects undertaken in or for the Town of Plainfield. References from three similar projects undertaken. Discussion of how the Consultant addresses a client s needs for cost containment and thorough investigation of potential contamination. Discussion of any limitations on Consultant s commitment to the Scope of Work. Discussion of how Consultant approaches a client request for work within the Scope of Work but outside the cost proposal. 5. Submission of RFQ Response The prospective Consultant s response, sealed and clearly marked Town of Plainfield RFQ Brownfields Consultant, shall be submitted to Shelley Hopkins, Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Plainfield, 8 Community Avenue, Plainfield, CT no later than 1 PM on Wednesday, July 9, The interim deadline for questions relating to this RFP is 1 PM on

5 Wednesday, June 25, The Town of Plainfield will not respond to questions received after this deadline.