REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ISSUED BY THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, FORESTRY DIVISION FOR CARBON STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES CONTRACTING SPECIALISTS

I. PURPOSE

The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forestry Division (Forestry Division) is seeking proposals for a Carbon Stewardship Practices (CSP) Contracting Specialist from individuals or firms who have professional forest expertise and extensive knowledge of New Mexico’s forest ecosystems, New Mexico Administrative Code rules regarding forest practices, and forest industry financial processes. The selected Offeror(s) will serve as the fiscal agent for the CSP program, responsible for issuing payment agreements and disbursing payments to landowners on EMNRD’s behalf. Offerors shall be capable of providing payments to applicants prior to being reimbursed by EMNRD.  Offerors may be selected to provide one or more planning services on select projects and must have extensive knowledge of post-fire recovery practices, prescribed fire planning, and/or reforestation to be considered for any of those services. 

Any resulting offers from this RFP shall be valid for one year from the proposal due date specified below in Section IX, Contact Person and Due Dates.

II. BACKGROUND

The CSP Program is funded through the Federal Financial Assistance Award of Domestic Grant 25-DG-11030000-002, between EMNRD, Forestry Division and the State and Private Forestry Program of the Southwest Region of the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS).  The Forestry Division was awarded $5 million through the grant to administer a program providing direct landowner payments to implement practices that increase forest carbon resiliency, including forest thinning, slash piling, prescribed burning, and post-fire erosion control, site preparation, and reforestation.

III. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS

This RFP is directed to individuals and firms who meet the following criteria.

Mandatory Criteria:

• Possess a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry, forest management, natural resource management, or the equivalent;
• Experience working in southwestern forest ecosystems;
• Ability and experience with management of contracts using state and federal funds;
• Experience working with private landowners;
• Ability to provide professional forestry assistance on requests for information about program guidelines through written materials such as applications and brochures to interested parties; and
• Ability to verify that projects conform to the professional forestry standards as outlined in contracts and communications with EMNRD.

Preferred Criteria:

• Experience in plan preparation and technical writing;
• Experience in developing thinning prescriptions that meet standards established in the New Mexico Forest Practices Guidelines;
• Experience and certification in prescribed burn plan writing, including completion of NMFD’s Certified Burn Manager Program (https://nmforestryrx.instructure.com/enroll/XBHF9Y);
• Experience in post-fire forestry practice planning, including:

                    - Erosion control practices including seeding, mulching, and contour felling 

                    - Site preparation and reforestation activities

• Ability to respond promptly to requests for on-site visits and project meetings.
• Availability to respond to requests year-round.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

The successful Offeror shall act as the fiscal agent for the CSP program funded through the Domestic Grant between the Forestry Division and the State and Private Forestry Program of the Southwest Region of the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) by successfully completing the following tasks:

A. Explaining the CSP program to applicants to ensure their understanding of program guidelines and requirements;

B. Developing and implementing payment agreements with selected private landowner applicants who agree to engage in certain carbon stewardship practices (according to New Mexico Forest Practices Guidelines, as applicable, available at: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/Publications/documents/NM_ForestPracticesGuidelines2008.pdf);

C. Issuing Notices to Proceed to landowners after the payment agreement has been fully executed;

D. Verifying projects conform to the professional forestry standards and CSP program guidelines by visiting approximately 10% of projects to document how projects are meeting program guidelines. Field visits must be performed by a professional forester who understands silvicultural prescriptions and can walk in the woods in rough terrain and severe weather conditions. Successful Offeror shall bring any discrepancies to EMNRD’s attention, and EMNRD has final authority on determining program compliance);

D. Disbursing practice and compensation payments to landowners based on approved practice completion and invoice documentation. Offeror must be capable of providing payment prior to reimbursement from EMNRD;

E. Providing semi-annual written progress reports as well as one annual report summarizing the semiannual reports, to EMNRD, and presenting such reports to the NM Forest Stewardship Committee or other working groups upon request, up to twice annually.  Progress reports shall include the number of inquiries from the public, the number of landowners with whom the successful Offeror is working, the status of each relationship with landowners, and project payment summaries noting expended payments, obligated funds and administrative costs;

F. Providing a brief written monthly report to EMNRD with each invoice outlining landowner payments and other charges to the program; 

G. Communicating regularly with the Forestry Division Forest Resilience Officer while working directly with applicants, Forestry Division staff, and the NM Forest Stewardship Committee (NM FSC); and

H.  Developing practice plans as assigned on a project-by-project basis, including any combination of the following: 

                     a. Development of thinning prescriptions that meet standards established in the 

                         New Mexico Forest Practices Guidelines;

                     b. Development of prescribed fire plans,

                     c. Development of post-fire recovery practice plans, including:

                           i. Erosion control practices including seeding, mulching, and contour felling  

                           ii. Site preparation and reforestation activities

For purposes of this RFP, the state has been divided into the following six districts. Offerors may submit a proposal for one or more of the areas.

• District 1 consists of the following counties: San Juan, Rio Arriba, and the western half of Taos.
• District 2 consists of the following counties: eastern half of Taos, Colfax, and Union.
• District 3 consists of the following counties: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Sierra, Hidalgo, Luna, and Dona Ana.
• District 4 consists of the following counties: Mora, Harding, San Miguel, Guadalupe, Quay, and Curry.
• District 5 consists of the following counties: De Baca, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Chavez, Otero, Eddy, and Lea.
• District 6 consists of the following counties: Sandoval, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Torrance, Bernalillo, McKinley, Cibola, and Valencia.

V. PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENTS

Proposals must contain sufficient information to provide the Division with a thorough description of Offeror’s qualifications to accomplish the activities described in the Scope of Work.

The proposal MUST contain, at a minimum, all listed items.

1. Certification in your Submittable proposal that:

• identifies the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of the person authorized to negotiate the contract on behalf of the Offeror;
• identifies the names, titles, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of person(s) to be contacted for clarification;
• expressly indicates acceptance of the terms and conditions of this RFP and its evaluation factors;
• certifies all entities or individuals responsible for authorizing Offeror’s activities have agreed the proposal should be submitted;
• if applicable, acknowledges receipt of any and all amendments to this RFP; and
• is signed by the person authorized to contractually obligate the Offeror.

2. Documentation of experience, education, knowledge, and capability (refer to Proposal Evaluation Criteria). 

3. Federal Compliance – Offeror(s) must provide their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and have an active registration on SAM.GOV (Appendix A to Part 25, Title 2) and state whether they meet C.F.R. requirements for an audit (2 C.F.R. 200.501(a) Audit Requirements).  If Offeror does meet the requirements for an audit, Offeror must provide proof the audit has been submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) (2 C.F.R. 200.512 (b) Report Submission), and provide their federal Employer Identification Number, which will allow the Forestry Division access to the relevant audit(s) prior to any award subject to this RFP.

4.  Budget  – Offerors should clearly specify

• Program administration fee: Expressed as a percentage of the total landowner payments disbursed. For example, please indicate if your fee is 5%, 10%, or another percentage of the payment amount provided to landowners. Your proposed percentage should encompass all services described in sub-sections A-G of Section IV. Scope of Work, as well as all anticipated supply and material costs and NM Gross Receipts Tax costs.
• Hourly planning rates: Clearly specify the hourly rates for each position anticipated to provide planning services for the project as described in sub-section H of Section IV. Hourly rate submissions should be based on Compensation Option 3 (Time and Materials) in the attached draft Professional Services Agreement (PSA) (Attachment 3) and draft Governmental Services Agreement (GSA) (Attachment 4) and should factor in NM Gross Receipts Tax costs. 

5. Campaign Contribution Form (Attachment 1) -- Offeror shall complete, sign, and submit with Offeror’s proposal response the Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form and disclose whether Offeror, a family member, or a representative of the Offeror has made a campaign contribution to an applicable public official during the two years prior to the RFP. Offeror shall complete the non-disclosure statement or make separate disclosures for all campaign contributions given by (a) the Offeror, (b) a family member, or (c) a representative of the Offeror.

6. Completed, signed Statement of Assurances Form (Attachment 2).

Any proposal not adhering to these requirements may be deemed non-responsive and rejected on that basis. 

VI. CONTRACT AWARD AND DURATION

The contract period may extend from the date of contract approval by the General Services Department, Contracts Review Bureau (CRB) for a period not exceeding four (4) years, including all renewals or amendments. 

EMNRD may award multiple contracts under the terms of the attached draft Professional Services Agreement (PSA) (Attachment 3) or draft Governmental Service Agreement (GSA)(Attachment 4) and in accordance with this RFP.  Any PSA or GSA awarded as a result of this RFP shall not be binding until approved by CRB. 

Offerors awarded through this RFP are prohibited from participating in the implementation of practices for which they are providing fiscal administration.

VII. PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Division shall use the following criteria in the evaluation of proposals and in the selection of the successful Offeror.  Please note, a deficiency in any one factor may be grounds for rejection regardless of overall score. 

• Experience working in southwestern ecosystems with an emphasis on project management (minimum) -15 points
• Ability to provide professional forestry assistance on requests for information about program guidelines through written materials such as applications and brochures to interested parties; verifying that projects conform to the professional forestry standards in the contracts between EMNRD and the CSP program guideline; and visiting approximately 10% of projects per year in order to document how projects are meeting program guidelines (field visits must be performed by a professional forester who understands silvicultural prescriptions and can walk in the woods in rough terrain and severe weather conditions) (minimum) -15 points
• Ability to prepare and enter into payment agreements with private New Mexico landowners who agree to engage in certain carbon stewardship practices (New Mexico Forest Practices Guidelines available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/Publications/documents/NM_ForestPracticesGuidelines2008.pdf).  and to process payments to landowners after EMNRD approves payment but before receiving reimbursement from EMNRD (minimum) -15 points
• Detailed written project plan outlining production schedule, staffing plans, and logistics that demonstrates understanding of the job requirements and provides a base plan for completing a contract, and demonstrated experience with management of contracts using state and federal funds (minimum) -10 points
•  Ability to provide semi-annual written progress reports as well as one annual report summarizing the semiannual reports to EMNRD, and present such reports to the NM FSC or other working groups upon request, up to twice annually (progress reports shall include the number of inquiries from the public, the number of landowners with whom the successful Offeror is working, the status of each relationship with landowners, and project payment summaries noting expended payments, obligated funds and administrative costs); and to provide a brief written monthly report with each invoice outlining landowner payments and other charges to the program (minimum) -10 points
• Demonstrated experience providing planning services for one or more of the following types of practices: (preferred)  -15 points                              

               - Forest thinning prescription, including slash management plans and prescribed burn planning. 

 - Post-fire recovery practices, including:

                         a. Erosion control practices including seeding, mulching, and contour felling 

                         b. Site preparation and reforestation activities

• Contribution to statewide coverage of the program  -10 points
• Ability to respond promptly to requests for on-site visits and project meetings (preferred) -5 points
• Availability to respond to requests year-round (preferred)  -5 points
• Budget -20 points

              ***Points will be awarded based on the following formula: 

                         Lowest responsive Offeror’s cost divided by each Offeror’s costs. This is multiplied by available points. 

                                                                         TOTAL 120

Application of New Mexico Preference Laws:

This procurement is excluded from state preference laws because it is funded with federal dollars.

VIII. EVALUATION PROCESS

The evaluation process will follow the steps listed below:

1. Three Evaluation Team members will document contents of competitive sealed proposals after the submittal deadline.

2. The Evaluation Team will review proposals for compliance with the mandatory requirements stated within this RFP. Proposals deemed non-responsive will be eliminated from further consideration.

3. The Division Contact Person may contact Offerors for clarification of the proposal.

4. The Evaluation Team will evaluate responsive proposals based on the criteria in Section VI and will select responsive Offeror(s) with the highest total scores as finalist Offeror(s). The Evaluation Team will select the finalist Offeror(s) whose proposal(s) is/are most advantageous to EMNRD for award. Please note, however, a deficiency in any one factor may be grounds for rejection regardless of overall score  

IX. CONTACT PERSON AND DUE DATES

The EMNRD Contact Person for this procurement is:

Erin McElroy

Forest Resilience Officer

EMNRD, Forestry Division

1220 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Telephone: 505-490-7378

Erin.McElroy@emnrd.nm.gov

Offerors shall direct any questions regarding this RFP to Mrs. McElroy at the email address indicated above. EMNRD will only respond to written questions regarding this RFP. Written answers to those questions will be sent to all who request copies of this RFP and will also be posted on the EMNRD website.

Any inquiries or requests regarding this procurement must be submitted in writing to the EMNRD Contact Person listed above. Offerors may contact ONLY the Contact Person regarding this RFP.  Other state employees or Evaluation Committee members do not have authority to respond on EMNRD’s behalf.

Deadlines for Written Questions

Potential Offerors may submit written questions to the Contact Person as to the intent or clarity of this RFP until 4:30 p.m. MDT, October 24, 2025. All written questions must be addressed to the Contact Person via email as indicated above. Questions shall be clearly labeled and shall cite the Section(s) in the RFP or other document that form the basis of the question.

The Division will post written responses to such questions on the EMNRD website by November 14, 2025:

https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/requests-for-proposals-and-grants/.

Proposal Submittal and Due Date

Offerors shall submit their proposal using the Division’s Submittable webpage using this address: https://emnrd-sfd.submittable.com/submit no later than 4:30 p.m. MDT, November 21, 2025.  EMNRD will deem such proposals sealed in accordance with state statute.  EMNRD shall not accept proposals received after this date and shall make absolutely no exceptions for proposals not received by the appointed time.

Protest Period

Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 13-1-172 and applicable procurement rules, Offerors who are not selected have the right to timely protest the procurement. Protests must be written and must include the name and address of the protestor and the name of the procurement being protested; a statement of the grounds for protest including appropriate supporting exhibits; and the ruling requested from the Division. The protest period begins on the day after notice of selection/non-selection and ends at 5 p.m. 15 days later.  Protests must be delivered to Miguel Gallegos, EMNRD Chief Procurement Officer, Central Purchasing Office, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

X. NOTICES

Award of agreements is contingent upon sufficient appropriations and authorization being made by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the State of New Mexico.

Where applicable, Offerors must factor in Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) costs as part of their responses. Any response that does not clearly indicate GRT is included in the cost section may be deemed non-responsive and rejected.

The Division may cancel this RFP and may reject any and all proposals when it is in the State of New Mexico’s best interest.

The Division may conduct discussions with Offerors who submit proposals but may also accept proposals without such discussions.

The Procurement Code, NMSA 1978, Sections 13-1-28 through 13-1-199, imposes civil and misdemeanor criminal penalties for its violation. In addition, New Mexico criminal statutes impose felony penalties for bribes, gratuities, and kickbacks.

A template agreement for Offeror(s) who may be selected for award may be viewed below.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachments

Attachment 1: Campaign Contribution Form 

Available at: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/Campaign-Contribution-Disclosure-Form.pdf 

Attachment 2: Statement of Assurances Form 

Available at: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/Statement-of-Assurances-Form.pdf

Attachment 3: Draft Professional Services Agreement

Available at: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/FY26-PSA-template-approved-6-12-25-locked-1.pdf 

Attachment 4: Draft Governmental Services Agreement

Available at: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/GSA-template-FINAL-locked-7-3-25.pdf

FAWRA Overview

The Forest and Watershed Restoration Act (FAWRA) was created by House Bill 266 and signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 15, 2019. FAWRA allocates funding annually to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division (New Mexico State Forestry) for the purpose of restoring forests and watersheds in the state of New Mexico and establishes a Forest and Watershed Advisory Board to evaluate and recommend projects. When projects have been selected and approved, New Mexico State Forestry will administer, implement, and report on the projects.

Note: FAWRA is not a grant program. It is a way for the public, government, and non-governmental partners to recommend and develop projects in partnership with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forestry Division (Forestry Division). The Forestry Division administers any projects initiated through the FAWRA and may choose to enter into agreements to implement projects on public lands with governmental entities at its own discretion.

Before submitting a proposal, proponents are strongly encouraged to consult full submission guidelines, available here. For more information, please visit the Forestry Division's FAWRA webpage.

The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forestry Division  is seeking applications for urban and community forestry projects to assist communities in developing and maintaining sustainable stewardship of urban and community forestry resources in New Mexico. 

Eligible applicants  are non-federal governmental entities, including public colleges and universities and tribes (as long as other federal money is not involved).  Projects located on lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding.

Applications may request any amount up to $60,000.00. The Forestry Division reserves the right to partially fund projects. Project contacts will be notified by the Forestry Division Program Manager before any partial funding is approved. 

The focus of the grants are on projects that occur within or deliver 100 percent of the projects benefits to communities identified as disadvantaged by the federal government. Applicants must use federal online vulnerability and environmental justice equity data tools to support a disadvantaged community designation (e.g., White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), the EPA Environmental Justice and Screening Mapping Tool, and EPA EnviroAtlas Interactive Map). Projects that occur outside of areas identified as disadvantaged may still be funded but it may be at a lower amount. 

Applications will be accepted year-round and batch-reviewed periodically according to available funds and program demand.  The latest information on expected review timelines is updated on the Forestry Division’s webpage, here: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/RFPs/RFPMain.html. 

Applicants must submit their proposals on the Forestry Division’s Submittable webpage using this link: https://emnrd-sfd.submittable.com/submit.  

Scope of Work 

Projects must emphasize the development and management of community forests.  Projects located on lands owned or administered by the federal government are not eligible for this funding.  Applicants must collaborate with applicable landowners to obtain any needed permissions or permits. Examples of eligible project activities include but are not limited to:

• community forestry program development or improvement such as the creation of management plans, ordinances, tree boards, site preparation (clearing invasives, removing concrete), tree plantings, wood waste program creation, food forest creation, invasive detection, tree maintenance (mulch, irrigation, pruning,      removal), inventory, green infrastructure, assessment, or monitoring; 
• professional  development to create or expand the technical skillset of a diverse and inclusive urban forestry workforce such as the development of classes, implementation of  workshops, registration to attend conferences;
• public outreach and education promoting community involvement in urban forestry such as community events, surveys, engagement, creation of publications, multimedia, and trainings.

Any projects that involve tree removal such as site preparation or tree maintenance that includes removal must also include replanting in their proposal. 

Any projects that involve planting must include a planting plan including tree species and size selection, tree planting methods to be used, irrigation plans, and long-term maintenance plans. Successful Offerors with tree planting projects must have a community forest ordinance, policy, or management plan that designates legal responsibility for the care of trees in the community. Successful Offerors shall follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z60.1 nursery standards and ANSI A300 tree planting standards.

Funds cannot be used to purchase capital equipment costing more than $5,000.00 but may be used to rent equipment, and cannot be used for land acquisition or construction. This program does not reimburse indirect costs. The Forestry Division shall not allow more than 10% in administrative costs.

Questions:

Melissa McLamb

EMNRD, Forestry Division

1220 S. St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, N.M., 87505

Melissa.McLamb@emnrd.nm.gov

The full RFP is available on the Forestry Division website,  https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/requests-for-proposals-and-grants/.
 

Submittable Information

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Important Update: Please be advised that the initial phase of property assessments for our post-fire recovery program has been completed, and our assessment contractors have demobilized. While we are no longer scheduling new assessments at this time, we encourage interested landowners to continue submitting their applications and supporting documentation. We anticipate additional funding for this crucial program in the future, which may allow us to remobilize contractors to conduct further assessments. Please understand, however, that the resumption of assessments cannot be guaranteed at this time.

The State of New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, Forestry Division (Forestry Division) is accepting requests for post-fire erosion and hazardous tree mitigation assistance from landowners impacted by the Salt and South Fork Fires. The Forestry Division is utilizing contractors who will conduct site assessments and carry out post-fire projects. The Forestry Division will have sole discretion to determine appropriate post-fire practices to be implemented on the landowner's behalf.

To learn more about this program, please visit the Forestry Division South Fork Fire website. 

**This opportunity is separate from the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection program and from DHSEM's Private Property Debris Removal program and requires completing this application.

Eligibility

Landowners requesting assistance will be evaluated for eligibility based on the following criteria:

1. The property must be located in Lincoln County and within the boundaries of the Salt and South Fork burn scars.

2. The landowner must provide evidence of property ownership by providing plats, deeds, and/or title insurance.

3. Hazard trees on the property must be located within a distance that is twice the tree's height from roads and/or structures. Hazard trees include disaster-damaged trees that:

        a. are leaning more than 30 degrees,

        b. have more than 75% canopy damage for Ponderosa pines, or more than 50% of         canopy damage for other tree species;

        c. have split trunk exposing the heartwood, or

        d. have 40% exposed roots.

Areas of Priority

Properties will be prioritized for assistance to maximize long-term watershed recovery, focusing on areas with the greatest risk of erosion that may contribute to debris flows and impact downstream communities. Prioritization will be based on:

1. Proximity to other landowners who have requested assistance will receive priority. This will enable the Forestry Division to use funding efficiently by reducing contractor mobilization costs.

2. Location in a watershed, with areas higher in the watershed receiving priority.

3. Burn severity, with higher burn severity properties receiving priority.

4. Terrain features, with areas having steeper slopes receiving priority.

The Program

The Forestry Division will receive the landowner's requests and verify eligibility.

1. The landowner will complete a Right-of-Entry Agreement which gives the Forestry Division and its contractors permission to enter the property for the purpose of conducting hazard tree mitigation and post-fire erosion control.

2. A planning contractor will contact the landowner to schedule a site visit and develop a map indicating which trees are eligible for removal, sites chosen for erosion control structures, and how slash (tree residue) will be treated.

3. The planning contractor will submit the plan to the Forestry Division which will identify recommended post-fire practices for the property.

4. The Forestry Division will review the plan and work with the planning contractor on any necessary revisions.

5. The Forestry Division will engage project contractors to implement approved plans.

6. Work can begin on the landowner's property in accordance with approved plans.

Questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions document.
 

**For assistance with your application or questions about your application, please email:

EMNRD-Southfork@emnrd.nm.gov 

To begin your application, click the Submit button below and create your Submittable account.