All correspondence must be made through the Vendor Portal. Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Contractor shall provide Environmental Consulting Services to assist the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (the Department or DEP) with natural resource, planning and restoration activities related to long term degradation within the Apalachicola River Watershed and Adjacent Areas. Services may include, but are not limited to, identification, evaluation, planning, and implementation of programs and projects, including public engagement and regulatory compliance. As a part of this scope of services, the Contractor will perform support services to assist the Department in achieving the goals for these restoration activities. This support could include restoration planning and implementation under the Natural Resource Damage Act (NRDA) settlement; logistical and support planning of restoration activities related to the RESTORE Act; activities related to the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) and the America the Beautiful Fund (ABF) administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF); Apalachicola Comprehensive Watershed Planning (ACWP)and Coordination Blueprint (CB) administered by NOAA; and other associated efforts restoration efforts and funding sources. A significant number of acres of the Apalachicola Basin are owned by public parties either in fee or with a less-than-fee interest. This includes, but is not limited to: 1. St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge: More than 12,000 acres owned and managed by the US Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2. Box-R Wildlife Management Area: More than 12,000 acres owned by the BOTIITF and managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 3. Torreya State Park: More than 14,000 acres owned by the BOTIITF and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 4. Apalachicola River Water Management Area: More than 36,000 acres owned and managed by the NWFWMD. 5. Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area: More than 77,000 acres owned by the BOTIITF and managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (Additional acres anticipated in 2023). 6. Tate’s Hell State Forest: More than 212,000 acres owned by the BOTIITF and managed by the Florida Forest Service. 7. Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve: More than 234,000 acres owned by the BOTIITF and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 8. Apalachicola National Forest: More than 569,000 acres owned and managed by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
