California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Technical Assistance (RFP# 2018-0023)

Description

SACOG is seeking proposals from a qualified Consultant or Consultant Team with experience writing programmatic Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) and providing other CEQA technical services necessary to assist with the preparation of the environmental compliance document for the 2020 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS) Update.SACOG is seeking to contract with one firm for all described services. The prime consultant may utilize in-house staff or a combination of in-house staff and sub-consultants. The requested services range from preparation of assigned chapters or sections of the EIR, to preparation of the entire EIR, and will also include peer review and other technical EIR assistance. The consultant will build upon work completed from the prior EIR unless, as a result of technical research and review, a different approach is merited. The 2020 MTP/SCS Update, which is the subject of this RFP, will be the third update to address Senate Bill (SB) 375 requirements. SB 375 requirements to be addressed in this MTP/SCS include: 1) Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a performance target and metric; 2) Integration of 2020 and 2035 land use patterns with the Regional Housing Need Allocation and transportation investments; and 3) Analysis and consideration of agricultural and natural resource impacts.The SACOG Board of Directors directed that the 2020 MTP/SCS Update should be focused on advancing economic prosperity in the Sacramento region. As such, the Board adopted a Policy Framework for the 2020 MTP/SCS Update that addresses the following broad policy questions and challenges:1. Future Uncertainty: In a time of change, how do we support near-term implementation and plan for an uncertain future?2. Economic Development and Opportunity: What growth and development pattern is needed to support and sustain regional economic development and opportunity?3. Performance-Based Investment Strategy: What