Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. If bidding on the state credits, the Vendor must possess a valid state mitigation banking permit. The mitigation credits must be acceptable to the SJRWMD and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as appropriate. The Vendor shall provide a copy of its permit to the Department at the time of submittal of its bid. Prior to purchase, the Vendor shall also provide a copy of its current state credit ledger so the number of credits that are available can be verified. a. The mitigation bank must be located within the identified WMD basin. Alternatively, a Vendor can provide written verification from the WMD that its bank is acceptable to offset wetland impacts associated with the planned project. 2. b 2. If bidding on the federal credits, the Vendor must possess a valid federal mitigation banking instrument (permit). The mitigation credits must be acceptable by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as well as all federal review/commenting agencies as appropriate. The Vendor shall provide a copy of its federal permit and a copy of its current federal credit ledger to the Department at the time of submittal of its bid. Prior to purchase, the Vendor shall provide a copy of its current federal credit ledger so the number of credits that are available can be verified. a. The mitigation bank must have a federal service area which encompasses the planned project’s wetland impacts. Alternatively, a Vendor can provide written verification from the USACE that its credits are acceptable to offset wetland impacts for a planned project. b. The federal credits shall include all species credits (e.g., wood stork) tied to each wetland credit. 3. If bidding on both the state and federal credits under one bid price, the Vendor must meet both criteria 1 and 2 above. 4. The mitigation bank must have the type of mitigation credits it is specifically bidding on released and available for sale at the time of bid. The Department will purchase credits by purchase order as needed to meet project needs. 5. If bidding on federal species credits, the Vendor must possess a valid Conservation Bank Agreement or other written verification from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) demonstrating the federal species credit satisfies the project’s mitigation needs. The Vendor shall provide copies of the appropriate document(s) to the Department at the time of submittal of its bid. The Department reserves the right to coordinate with regulatory agencies to verify this information. Prior to purchase the Vendor shall also provide a copy of its current federal ledger so the number of credits available can be verified. a. The conservation bank service area must be able to satisfy USFWS requirements. Alternatively, a Vendor can provide written verification from the USFWS that its credits are acceptable to offset species impacts for a planned project. b. The conservation bank must have the appropriate type of species credits released and available for sale at the time of purchase. 6. If the Vendor’s mitigation bank credits were assessed using an assessment methodology other than as advertised in this ITB, the Vendor must provide documentation from the appropriate permitting agency stating the credits can satisfy the Department’s mitigation need. The Vendor is responsible for calculating any conversion factors and receiving approval from the permitting authority. The Department reserves the right to coordinate with regulatory agencies to determine whether these mitigation bank credits are appropriate to meet its mitigation needs.