RFP for GI Design and Community Engagement for the South Shore Resiliency Project

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Green Infrastructure Design and Community Engagement for the South Shore Community Resiliency Planning Project

RFP Release

November 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM CST

PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING

November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM CST

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS

November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST

PROPOSALS DUE

December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST

PREPARED BY

Delta Institute

35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1760

Chicago, IL 60601

Delta Institute Overview

Delta Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization. Delta Institute collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges throughout the Midwest. We address Midwestern environmental, economic, and climate challenges today so that our home and region are more resilient, equitable, and innovative tomorrow.

RFP Submittal Requirements

One (1) digital original proposal must be submitted.

The digital copy should be emailed to hmhardy@delta-institute.org and jzouras@delta-institute.org.

The digital proposal should be received by Delta Institute before Friday, December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.

Questions

For any questions regarding the RFP, please email Helen Hardy, Delta Institute at hmhardy@delta-institute.org. All questions must be received by Friday, November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.

All questions will be answered and issued to all companies that are on the RFP holders list. If you are unsure if you are on the RFP holder’s list, please contact Helen Hardy, Delta Institute, Phone: 312-554-0900 ext. 11 or email: hmhardy@delta-institute.org to confirm.

Pre-Proposal Meeting

Delta Institute hosted a pre-proposal meeting on Wednesday, November 12. 2025. Below is a recording of the pre-proposal meeting, which is also hosted on Delta Institute’s YouTube channel.

The pre-proposal meeting slides are available for download here.

Project Description

For years, the South Shore neighborhood has been buffeted by extreme weather and Lake Michigan events, and a comprehensive, cohesive community planning process is essential. Lake Michigan shoreline is interrupted and disconnected, resulting in fragmented natural habitats and parkland. Further, neighborhood residents that are most impacted by these issues do not have alternate options or access to move or relocate, nor options implementing their own means to mitigate these hazards.

Efforts to address the South Shore neighborhood’s shoreline problems date back to the 1970s. Though there are multiple planning processes that have occurred at the City and State-level, these efforts lacked a unified, collaborative, and inclusive planning process, resulting in plans that do not account for community priorities and needs.

In 2022-2024, Delta Institute worked with several coastal resiliency partners (including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Park District, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant) and community organizations in Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods to accomplish their goals of installing Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as bioswales, rain gardens, or permeable pavement on vacant lots. Delta’s efforts focused on community engagement and baseline data collection and are further outlined on the webpages linked below:

Community-Led Planning to Reduce Shoreline Flooding in the South Shore Neighborhood of Chicago – Delta Institute

Generating Critical Data and Methods to Support Nature-Based Green Infrastructure on the South Side – Delta Institute

In 2025-2027, Delta has and will continue to deploy a broad community engagement strategy, which includes convening monthly meetings of a Community Advisory Council, hosting educational workshops, and supporting community events. These efforts are designed to offer multiple touchpoints for South Shore stakeholders to provide their input on resiliency strategies and give decision-makers insight into their concerns and priorities, creating a more inclusive planning process. The project will result in the creation of a Community-Based Coastal Resilience Plan that is actionable and rooted in community needs and priorities in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, with general boundaries being 67th Street (north), 75th (south), Metra South Shore tracks/South Chicago Ave (west) and Lake Michigan (east).

The Resilience Plan will include implementation recommendations and financing pathways to ensure that shoreline creation, habitat expansion, parkland investment, and other identified needs are realized. The Resilience Plan will align with the many planning and engagement processes without being redundant or duplicative.

Through collaboration with public agencies, the processes and implications of this plan can be repurposed for shoreline community engagement along the Illinois Lake Michigan coastline, with downstate Illinois waterfront community usage opportunities.

Project Scope

The selected firm(s) (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) shall serve as part of the Project Team for the project and shall, at a minimum, complete all three Tasks outlined below by June 30, 2026 for no more than $35,000.

The chosen Contractor is expected to work closely with Delta Institute to ensure that the project’s scope of work is properly completed in a cost-effective, responsive, and timely manner.

Task 1: Identify the Most Feasible Green Infrastructure and/or Coastal and Climate Resilience Solutions (Jan-May 2026)

The selected Contractor shall:

Identify the most impactful, neighborhood-scale green infrastructure intervention(s)—such as permeable pavement, stormwater trees, bioswales, and rain gardens—and/or coastal and climate resilience solutions—such as living shorelines, elevated public infrastructure, wetland restoration, and floodable waterfront parks—for each of the seven following locations:

1. 71st & S. South Shore Dr.
2. 72nd & S. South Shore Dr.
3. South Shore Cultural Center and Nature Sanctuary
4. 74th & S. South Shore Dr.
5. Rainbow Beach Park
6. 76th & S. South Shore Dr.
7. 77th & S. Exchange Ave

Evaluate and score the identified projects according to the following criteria:

• Impact: Maximum damage reduction, economic improvements, and community benefits
• Cost-Effectiveness: Cost per unit of stormwater/sediment transport reduced
• Feasibility: Technical, regulatory, and logistical considerations
• Regulatory Compliance: Alignment with local, state, and federal regulations and policies.

Ensure green infrastructure interventions and coastal and climate resilient solutions are in alignment with:

• Appendix A: Delta’s Existing Conditions Report
• Appendix B: South Shore Resiliency Roadmap
• Appendix C: Green Infrastructure Design Guide

Provide recommendations regarding:

• Project Sequencing: Whether projects need to happen before another
• Project Size: Consider grouping smaller projects together for funding and construction

Allow for two revision cycles to incorporate feedback prior to finalizing deliverables.

Deliverables:

• Compelling, accessible slide deck and summary report that conveys the most feasible neighborhood-scale green infrastructure intervention(s) and/or coastal and climate resilience solutions at the named locations, with recommendations regarding project sequence and grouping.
• One virtual presentation and Q&A of the proposed interventions during a Community Advisory Council meeting (organized by Delta Institute).
• One in-person presentation and Q&A of the proposed interventions during a Spring 2026 community and partner convening (organized by Delta Institute).

Task 2: Provide Designs for Prioritized Interventions (May-Jun 2026)

Draft mockup rendering, cost analysis, site control, and permitting requirements for up to three green infrastructure interventions and/or coastal and climate resilience solutions selected by community members.

Allow for one revision cycle to incorporate feedback prior to finalizing report.

Deliverables:

• Mockup renderings, cost analysis (including maintenance), site control, permitting requirements for up to three green infrastructure interventions and/or coastal and climate resilience solutions.
• Recommendations or initial estimates of quantifiable metrics that may result from installation, for example reduction in flooding or nutrient load, improvement in foot or vehicle traffic.

Task 3: Project Management

The chosen Contractor is expected to work closely with Delta Institute to ensure that the project’s planning and design work is properly completed in a responsive, and timely manner. This includes:

• Timely communication with Delta Institute
• Invoices submitted with deliverables (must outline deliverables in the agreement)
• Provide deliverables according to proposed timeline
• Brief memo of Lessons Learned and reflections regarding the planning process, workshops/meetings, coordination with Delta and stakeholders, decision making formats and process, outreach strategies, revision cycles

Requisite Experience

The chosen Contractor shall demonstrate:

• Expertise in green infrastructure and/or coastal and climate resilience design and feasibility, including but not limited to stormwater trees, permeable pavement, bioswales, and rain gardens.
• Technical capabilities in site design, cost estimating, and permitting (licensed landscape architect or civil/environmental engineer preferred).
• Experience evaluating and prioritizing neighborhood-scale stormwater or resilience projects.
• Strong communication skills, with experience presenting design concepts to community audiences.
• Familiarity with local regulatory and policy frameworks, including City of Chicago and MWRD requirements.

Proposal Checklist

All proposals must include this completed proposal checklist with the following completed components:

• Completed Non-collusion Affidavit Form.
• Completed Official Proposal Pricing Form.
• Proposal narrative (5 pages max) identifying a clear understanding of the project scope, the contractor’s approach to project management, and a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget.
• Completed References and Qualifications Form.
• No more than three 1-page informational summaries of referenced projects with pictures and graphics from those projects with name of client, location, and contact information.
• Description of key personnel with brief bios and their role on this project.
• Résumé for project manager with whom Delta will interface.
• Certificate of Insurance.
• Completed Delta Institute Signature Authorization Form.
• Completed Delta Institute Questionnaire Form.
• Completed Delta Institute Exception Form.
• Completed Delta Institute Workers’ Compensation Certificate Form.
• Completed Acknowledgement of Addendum Form for all Addendums Form.
• Drug Free workplace policies and procedures.
• Affidavit and statement regarding E-Verify compliance.
• No investment in Iranian energy sector.
  

Method and Criteria for Selection

Delta Institute will evaluate each proposal.

A Proposal Selection Committee, consisting of at least 5 members, has been appointed by Delta Institute to review all proposals. The Committee will review each written proposal submitted to determine if they meet the requirements of this RFP. Failure to meet the essential requirements of this RFP may be cause for rejection of the proposal. The Committee will make independent random checks of the proposer’s references as well as major sub-contractors.

The following criteria will be applied by the Committee to evaluate each proposal with the relative weight to be attributed (in points) to each criterion:

Proposals will be evaluated on Bidder’s qualifications, technical approach, and relevant experience.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (e.g., Minority-owned business enterprises or MBEs, Women-owned business enterprises or WBEs, etc.) are encouraged to respond to this RFP. Firms with staff with some of the following credentials and licenses will be considered more qualified than those that do not have any (such as P.E., ASLA, AICP, and/or AIA).

Upon proposals being scored by the Committee, Delta Institute reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals, to waive any irregularities or informalities in any proposal, and to award a contract to the Contractor who best meets the RFP’s requirements.

Relevant factors include completeness and accuracy of proposal; references from other owners, developers, or municipalities regarding past work done by the Contractor and its subs; combination of the certifications; customer service record and experience of the proposed staff; ability to complete the job in the specified time; or other considerations to the advantage of the Delta Institute.

Proposals may not be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the date set for opening thereof, unless otherwise required by law.

The award of the contract, if awarded, will be made within sixty (60) days after opening of the Proposals. The proposer’s signature on the Proposal form shall constitute a commitment on the part of the proposer to perform the work in a workmanlike manner as set forth in the Request for Proposal. The Contractor to whom the contract is awarded shall be notified upon award of the contract by the Delta Institute. The Proposal Form, the Terms and Conditions, the Special Provisions, the Request for Proposal, together with any plans and/or attachments, shall all be considered as part of the contract between the Delta Institute and the Contractor to whom the contract is awarded.

Discussions may be conducted with responsible proposers who submit proposals determined by the Committee to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award.

The prospective contractor is advised that, should its proposal result in award of a contract, the contract will not be in effect until it is approved and fully executed by the Delta Institute.

To access the full RFP, including the Terms and Conditions, and all required forms for submissions, click here to download the PDF.