Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification. Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC), contemplates awarding a sole source contract to Ross and Associates Environmental Consulting DBA Ross Strategic to conduct a study of urban agricultural opportunities and barriers in the state. HB 1552 (2023-2024) directs the Conservation Commission to conduct a study of urban agricultural opportunities and barriers in the state. The study must examine: (a) How urban agriculture can provide critical economic development, food access, and education opportunities in local communities; (b) Opportunities within urban agriculture, such as community gardens and urban farms, to give people access to grow their own food and create jobs, provide fresh food, and expose future farmers to career development; (c) How urban agriculture can also support local objectives relating to green infrastructure, low-impact development, and climate resilience; (d) Challenges, including access to land, water, and expertise, that limit the potential of urban agriculture; (e) Successes and lessons learned from program and policy implementation by local governments and conservation districts; and (f) Identification of potential pilot programs and requisite funding needs. The legislation directs SCC to collaborate with the following entities on the study: (a) The department of agriculture; (b) The University of Washington; (c) Washington State University; (d) The food policy forum; and (e) Other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by the state conservation commission. The Conservation Commission must submit the report to the Legislature by June 30, 2024. SCC will enter into a nine (9) month contract with Ross Strategic. The contract will be issued on or after October 9, 2023 and will continue through June 30 2024. The cost of this nine-month contract is $99,452.
