For 50 years, Eastern Maine Development Corporation's (EMDC) mission has been to engage with local businesses, residents and government officials to help foster economic opportunities throughout eastern Maine. Our region has historically relied on the forest products industry, and in particular papermaking, as one of the bedrock economic engines. In the past five years, our region has seen five mills close, resulting in a dramatic loss to our economy and an urgent need for transformation. As a result of the disruption, EMDC applied for and was awarded an EPA Area-wide Brownfields Planning Grant to identify opportunities in the wake of the 2014 closure of the Verso Paper Mill in Bucksport. In early 2015, AIM Development purchased the entire Verso Paper Mill. We are seeking interested applicants to provide professional services in the preparation of an Area-wide Brownfields Plan for the 274 acre Bucksport/AIM Development project site.

EMDC is seeking a firm with experience in port redevelopment, environmental planning, civil engineering, market analysis, transportation planning and community outreach. The consultant will develop an adaptive plan for the redevelopment and reuse of the Bucksport/AIM project site in Bucksport, ME; to chart a new direction for the community.

The plan objectives are to:

• Investigate area wide land use, environmental and market conditions related to the reuse of the 274 acre Bucksport/AIM Development project site;
• Engage residents and other stakeholders to develop a vision for re-use within the 274 acre Bucksport/AIM Development project site;
• Develop area-wide strategies for revitalization of the Bucksport/AIM Development project site, with special consideration of the development opportunities for intermodal transportation and commercial/industrial waterfront uses; and
• Develop a prioritized area-wide implementation plan

The maximum consultant budget available for this project is $150,000. Please see Attachment One (1), Scope of Work

Submission Requirements:

DRAFT RFP SCHEDULE

Tuesday April 11, 2017 — RFP published and advertised

Tuesday April 18, 2017 — Deadline to RSVP for site visit

Tuesday April 25, 2017 — Deadline for questions

Tuesday May 2, 2017 — Site Visits

Wednesday May 17, 2017 — Proposal deadline

Tuesday May 30, 2017 — Interviews

Questions in writing may be sent via email to Jeff Whalen at jwhalen@emdc.org.

Proposals must be clearly marked, and mailed to:

Jeff Whalen, Community Affairs Manager
Eastern Maine Development Corporation
40 Harlow Street
Bangor, ME 04401

Email submission of a digital copy of the proposal is also required to jwhalen@emdc.org. Proposals being sent solely via email will not be accepted.

Qualified Disadvantaged (DBE) and women-owned (WBE) businesses are encouraged to submit proposals, and consultants are required to document whether the firm is a DBE or WBE.

EMDC reserves the right to accept or reject any/or all proposals in total or in part and to waive any informalities.

If you would like to request a full RFP with scope of work, please contact Jeff Whalen at jwhalen@emdc.org