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Economic Valuation Study – Request for Proposals

I. SUMMARY

The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, Estuario, is looking to engage a professional consultant(s) to conduct an economic valuation study to determine the current economic value of the natural resources and services in the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed. The goal for this contract is to develop a comprehensive, thorough, and concise plan for conducting the economic valuation study, develop an inventory identifying and quantifying the value of assets and ecosystem services in the San Juan Bay Estuary, and develop a database dashboard for the results of the study.

II. ABOUT ESTUARIO

The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501c3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, or Estuario. The Estuario became part of the National Estuary Program (NEP) in 1994 and is the only tropical and non-continental location within the NEP under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the waters and associated ecosystems of the San Juan Bay Estuary and its watershed as a sustainable axis of social and economic development. Estuario’s work is guided by a master restoration plan known as the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for the San Juan Bay Estuary.

The Estuario’s study area is located in the heart of the San Juan Metropolitan Region and extends throughout eight municipalities: Toa Baja, Cataño, Bayamón, San Juan, Guaynabo, Carolina, Loíza, and Trujillo Alto. The study area includes the San Juan Bay Estuary system, its related coastal and marine ecosystems, and the watershed which extends above a broad and flat coastal plain.

III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Estuario will conduct an economic valuation study to determine the current economic value of the natural resources and services in the San Juan Bay Estuary. The study will incorporate traditional valuation metrics for non-market goods and services, stakeholder input, and environmental indicators to support Estuario’s restoration and protection goals, enhance community engagement, and inform story-building narratives to better communicate the mission and value of the Estuario. All methods and data used to assess the economic value of San Juan Bay will be produced using open and reproducible workflows. The economic valuation study will provide the Estuario with an additional tool, easy to understand by both the public and the legislative and executive breaches, in its efforts to protect this important ecosystem. Economic valuation is an important and necessary step in decision-making about potential uses that can be given to various ecosystem. In that sense, the valuation study should enhance support for restoration and preservation priorities and improve planning processes in the estuary watershed, which is under pressures from urbanization, and vulnerable from climate change impacts. In 2020, Estuario carried out a watershed-wide Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to measure the basin and the San Juan Bay estuary system vulnerabilities and exposure to risk, particularly in the face of hurricanes. The economic valuation study will value a variety of ecosystem services, including, but not limited to, water quality improvements, flood mitigation, storm protection, coastal habitats, and green infrastructure to highlight the importance of mitigation strategy investment against climate change. Other ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities and scenic view appreciation may be included in the valuation study. This action will help to meet the Estuario’s objective to increase knowledge about and public participation in the assets and services provided by the estuary.

In 2017, the City of San Juan’s Urban Resiliency Office partnered with Earth Economics to develop a study on the Natural Capital Benefits of the San Juan Bay Estuary Watershed, to estimate the current natural capital and ecosystem service contribution of the watershed. The baseline assessment would inform San Juan’s resilience strategy by quantifying and valuing the benefits that the region’s ecosystems contribute to local communities and the economy. It was the first study to estimate the dollar value associated with ecosystems within the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed. The Estuario seeks to validate the study’s findings with a more precise calculation of the services our estuary provides. In order to conduct the study, the Estuario will need an analysis of stakeholders that determines who should take part in the economic valuation studies, in addition to an inventory identifying and quantifying the value of all the assets and services provided by the San Juan Bay Estuary and a data dashboard that summarizes the results of the study.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

CCSJBE is looking to engage a professional consultant(s), such as a person or a team to conduct an economic valuation study of the San Juan Bay Estuary assets and services, using the appropriate methodologies. The goal for this contract is to develop a comprehensive, thorough, and concise plan for conducting the economic valuation study, carry out a stakeholder analysis to determine who should take part in the economic valuation studies, develop an inventory identifying the assets and services in the San Juan Bay Estuary, and develop a data dashboard presenting the results of the study.

As part of this process, all consultants will be expected to:

• Prepare a final contract timeline based on its proposal submission and incorporate any changes that might be necessary after the kickoff meeting.
• Coordinate any and all meetings with stakeholders, the public, or the Estuario team as necessary.
• Attend any and all necessary meetings with Estuario to prepare and complete all project deliverables.
• Submit quarterly written reports to Estuario or as requested.
• Provide own assistants, as needed.
• Cover own business and travel expenses and tools, including transportation, computer, computer software and licenses, materials, etc.
• Be able to work from outside the Estuario’s premises and be on-site as needed.
• Be able to provide evidence of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
• Be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, both at the federal and state level.

V. DELIVERABLES

The deliverables for this project are:

1. Stakeholder analysis that identifies who should take part in the economic valuation studies.
2. Economic valuation study of the SJBE assets and services that will include an inventory that identifies and quantifies the value of all the assets and services provided by the SJBE.
3. Data dashboard for the results of the study and others carried out in the future that can be put in the Estuario’s website.

VI. TIMELINE (subject to change)

Any questions can be directed via email [email protected]. Interested candidates must attend a mandatory virtual Information Session, which will be held on May 3, 2024 at 12pm and must RSVP by sending an email to [email protected] with the name of entity/ individual candidate and contact information of team members that will be attending the Information Session. Deadline to RSVP is May 1, 2024.

Issue RFP: April 19, 2024

Deadline to RSVP for Information Session: May 1, 2024

Information Session: May 3, 2024 at 12pm AST

RFP Submission Deadline:  May 19, 2024 at 5pm AST

Approximate project start date (subject to change): June 2024

Project completion: Within 18 months (if longer period is needed, please include an explanation in the RFP)

VII. APPLICATION PROCESS

Submit the proposal via email to [email protected] on or before May 19, 2024 at 5pm AST. Please include “Economic Valuation Study” with the applicant’s name in the subject line.

The proposal should be maximum 20 pages using Time News Roman, font size 12. The proposal must address the following items in a concise yet complete manner:

1. Applicant Overview:

1. Statement of qualifications and relevant experience/CV, highlighting those with National Estuary Programs and/or non-profit organizations, including all team members qualifications
2. Three previous project references of relevant experience
3. Proposal:
   1. Overview
   2. Detailed Methodology and/or philosophy used to implement the task. The Service Provider must be specific regarding the methodologies that will be used to gather data.
   3. Timeline with tasks, meetings, milestones, deliverables, and deadlines to comply with the deliverables
   4. Team structure, qualifications, resumes, and time allocation.
   5. Indicate whether subcontracting services will be used, and provide the list of services, subcontract information, and qualifications.
   6. Metrics and key performance indicators.
   7. Budget with detailed description of all fees and expenses, with sufficient cost data to conduct a cost analysis. This includes identifying the cost category of each fee/expense (such as personnel-with estimated hours and rate, fringe benefits, travel/per diem, subcontracting, indirect costs, supply, material and equipment costs, etc) along with quantities, specifications, and any other relevant details. The proposal must certify that the information reflects complete, current, and accurate data.

Attachments:

1. Copy of the Department of State certification to do business in Puerto Rico (if applicable)
2. Certification of compliance with all federal and state laws to conduct business in Puerto Rico (if applicable)
3. Certificate of good standing

Applicants must comply with all deadlines. No exceptions will be granted. Failure to comply with the requirements of this RFP may result in disqualification.

VIII. SELECTION PROCESS

An evaluation committee composed of members of Estuario and local experts will evaluate each proposal received according to the criteria described below.

The consultant will be selected based on responses to this RFP and the required informational meeting. Estuario provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Minority, women-owned business enterprises and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.

IX. EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be considered during the evaluation process:

1. Comprehensiveness, conciseness, clarity, thoroughness, and professional quality of presentation
2. Rigor and appropriateness of selected methods, which are based on identified goods and services to be valued.
3. Proposed costs
4. Ability to complete project in the stated time period
5. Experience and history of performance on similar projects, regarding such factors as quality of work, cost control, and ability to meet schedule.
6. The organization and scheduling of the project requirements and contractor accessibility.
7. Qualifications of team members, as demonstrated by experience, education, and potential project role.

X. OTHER CONDITIONS

Time Extensions

Estuario, in its sole discretion, may change and/or extend the deadlines for the above-mentioned task, and such changes and deadlines will be communicated to all applicants that sent an interest notification.

XI. RESERVATIONS

This RFP does not commit Estuario to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a Proposal pursuant to this RFP, or to procure or contract for work, and request additional information and/or clarifications.

XII. PUBLIC RECORDS

All proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the property of Estuario and public records, and as such may be subject to public review.

XIII. RIGHT TO CANCEL

Estuario, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel this RFP for any or no reason, in part or in its entirety, including but not limited to: the selection schedule, submittal date, and submittal requirements. If Estuario cancels or revises the RFP, all potential consultants will be notified in writing by Estuario.

XIV. PUBLIC INFORMATION

Selection announcements, contract awards, and all data provided by Estuario shall be protected from public disclosure. consultants desiring to release information to the public must receive prior written approval from Estuario. Estuario, at its sole discretion, shall determine the release and disclosure of information related to this RFP and any final work products as a result of this.

Sources of funding:

EPA Grant CE99206928, State Revolving Funds

The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership. The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. MBE/WBE and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.