Request for Proposals for Eagle County Strategy for Community Climate Action

NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

EAGLE COUNTY STRATEGY FOR COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION

EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO

Eagle, Colorado May 11, 2026

Eagle County, Colorado is soliciting proposals for a study to audit potential mechanisms for action and the fiscal and strategic partnership instruments available to Eagle County to meet the community Climate Action Plan ("CAP") goals. This Request for Proposals ("RFP") will be non-exclusive. Eagle County reserves the right to purchase supplies or services from other professionals.

Proposals must be received by email to Kate Kirkman, Climate Programs Coordinator, at kate.kirkman@eaglecounty.us before 5:00 p.m. on June 26, 2026. Any proposal received after this time will not be considered and will be returned to the respondent unopened unless good cause is shown as determined by Eagle County in its sole discretion. The proposal document is available at www.eaglecounty.us.

Contact information:

Kate Kirkman

500 Broadway, Eagle, Colorado 81631

kate.kirkman@eaglecounty.us

970-328-8734

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS

Eagle County, Colorado will be receiving proposals via email to Kate Kirkman, Climate Programs Coordinator, at kate.kirkman@eaglecounty.us before 5:00 p.m. on June 26, 2026.

Any question, interpretation or clarification regarding this Request for Proposals (RFP) is required 7 calendar days prior to the due date. Responses, if any, will be issued by addenda posted to www.eaglecounty.us. All questions regarding this proposal must be in writing to Kate Kirkman, Climate Programs Coordinator. Questions may be emailed to kate.kirkman@eaglecounty.us. Please call to verify receipt of your questions. No additional questions will be accepted after the date and time referenced above unless good cause is shown as determined by Eagle County in its sole discretion. Oral interpretations shall be of no force and effect.

One (1) copy of your proposal is required. If brochures or other supportive documents are requested, then it is required that one (1) set be submitted with your proposal.

Eagle County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals submitted in response to this RFP and to waive or not waive informalities or irregularities in proposals received or RFP procedures. Eagle County also reserves the right to re-advertise this RFP, otherwise provide the services as determined by Eagle County to be in its best interest, accept any portion of the proposal deemed to be in the best interests of Eagle County to do so, or further negotiate cost, terms or conditions of any proposal determined by Eagle County to be in its best interests.

Eagle County may, at its sole discretion, modify or amend any and all provisions herein. If it becomes necessary to revise any part of the RFP, addenda will be provided through posting at www.eaglecounty.us. Eagle County reserves the right to extend the RFP submittal date or to postpone the award of an agreement.

All proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee and any other review as determined to be necessary. Respondents may be asked to supplement their initial proposals with additional written material. Eagle County may short-list respondents based upon an evaluation of the written submittals. Eagle County may arrange for in-person interviews with the short-listed respondents for a detailed presentation.

The selected proposal will be the one considered the most advantageous regarding technical expertise; experience and qualifications; approach and methodology; schedule and time-effectiveness; budget and cost-effectiveness, familiarity with Eagle County, references, past performance, and any other factors the County may consider as determined by Eagle County in its sole discretion. Eagle County may award a contract even if not the lowest priced proposal based upon a review of the identified factors.

Respondents are encouraged to clearly identify any proprietary or confidential data or information submitted with the proposal. Regardless of whether or not so marked, Eagle County will endeavor to keep that information confidential, separate, and apart from the proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, respondent acknowledges that Eagle County may be required to release the information in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act, order of the court, or other applicable law.

Eagle County will not pay for any information requested herein, nor is it liable for any costs incurred by the respondent in connection with its response to this RFP.

No work shall commence nor shall any invoices be paid until the successful respondent has entered into a fully executed agreement with Eagle County and provides the requested proof of insurance.

No telephone or oral proposals will be accepted.

Proposals must be clearly identified in the email submission by proposal title. Responsibility for timely submittal of proposals lies solely with the respondent. Proposals received after the closing time specified will not be considered unless good cause is shown as determined by Eagle County in its sole discretion.

Respondent(s) who submit a proposal are responsible for becoming fully informed regarding all circumstances, information, laws and any other matters that might, in any way, affect the respondent's role and responsibilities. Any failure to become fully knowledgeable shall be at the respondent's sole risk. Eagle County assumes no responsibility for any interpretations made by respondents on the basis of information provided in this RFP or through any other source.

All respondents must include a fully executed Proposal Form with their proposal.

Eagle County reserves the right to award an agreement to the respondent that demonstrates the best ability to fulfill the requirements of the project based upon Eagle County's evaluation of the selection criteria.

This RFP is not intended to completely define the contractual relationship to be entered into with the successful respondent(s).

Upon identification by Eagle County of the successful respondent, Eagle County will give the successful respondent the first right to negotiate an agreement acceptable to Eagle County in its sole discretion. In the event that an agreement satisfactory to Eagle County cannot be reached, Eagle County may enter into negotiations with one or more of the remaining respondents. Eagle County may choose to discard all proposals and re-issue another RFP.

The successful respondent will perform all of the work or services indicated in the proposal in compliance with the negotiated agreement.

The successful respondent(s) shall comply with the following insurance language which shall be included in the agreement to be awarded unless otherwise agreed to in writing by Eagle County:

"Consultant agrees to provide and maintain at Consultant's sole cost and expense, the following insurance coverage with limits of liability not less than those stated below:

a. Types of Insurance.

i. Workers' Compensation insurance: as required by law.

ii. Automobile Liability covering any auto, or if Consultant has no owned autos, hired and non-owned autos, with limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.

iii. Commercial General Liability (CGL) covering CGL on an "occurrence" basis, including products and completed operations, property damage, bodily injury and personal & advertising injury with limits no less than $2,000,000 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate limit shall be $4,000,000.

iv. Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) Insurance appropriate to Consultant's profession, with limit no less than $2,000,000 per occurrence or claim, $2,000,000 aggregate.

b. Other Requirements. The insurance policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:

i. Additional Insured Status. County, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds on the CGL policy with respect to liability arising out of work or operations performed by or on behalf of the Consultant including materials, parts, or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations. Coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Consultant's insurance.

ii. Primary Coverage. For any claims related to this Agreement, the Consultant's insurance coverage shall be primary and non-contributory as respects County, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance of self-insurance maintained by County, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers shall be excess of the Consultant's insurance and shall not contribute with it. This requirement shall also apply to any Excess or Umbrella liability policies.

iii. Umbrella or Excess Policy. The Consultant may use Umbrella or Excess Policies to provide the liability limits as required in this Agreement. The Umbrella or Excess policies shall be provided on a true "following form" or broader coverage basis, with coverage at least as broad as provided on the underlying Commercial General Liability insurance.

iv. Notice of Cancellation. Each insurance policy required above shall provide that coverage shall not be canceled, except with notice to County.

v. Waiver of Subrogation. Consultant hereby grants to County a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of said Consultant may acquire against County by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. Consultant agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of whether or not County has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer.

vi. Self-Insured Retentions. Self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by County. County may require the Consultant to purchase coverage with a lower retention or provide proof of ability to pay losses and related expenses within the retention. The policy language shall provide, or be endorsed to provide, that the self-insured retention may be satisfied by either the named insured or County.

vii. Acceptability of Insurers. Insurance is to be placed with insurers authorized to conduct business in the state of Colorado with a current A.M. Best's rating of no less than A:VII, unless otherwise acceptable to County.

viii. Claims Made Policies. If any of the required policies provide claims-made coverage:

The Retroactive Date must be shown and must be before the date of the Agreement or the beginning of contract work.

Insurance must be maintained and evidence of insurance must be provided for at least five (5) years after completion of the contract of work.

If coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a Retroactive Date prior to the Agreement effective date, Consultant must purchase "extended reporting" coverage for a minimum of five (5) years after completion of work.

ix. Verification of Coverage. Consultant shall furnish County with original certificates and amendatory endorsements or copies of the applicable policy language effecting coverage required by this Section. All documents are to be received and approved by County before work commences. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive Consultant's obligation to provide them. County reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.

x. Subcontractors. Consultant shall require and verify that all subcontractors maintain insurance meeting all the requirements stated herein, and Consultant shall ensure that County is an additional insured on insurance required from subcontractors.

xi. Special Risks or Circumstances. County reserves the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances.

c. Other Requirements.

i. The insurance provisions of this Agreement shall survive expiration or

termination hereof.

ii. The parties hereto understand and agree that the County is relying on, and does not waive or intend to waive by any provision of this Agreement, the monetary limitations or rights, immunities and protections provided by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, as from time to time amended, or otherwise available to County, its affiliated entities, successors or assigns, its elected officials, employees, agents and volunteers.

iii. If Consultant fails to secure and maintain the insurance required by this Agreement and provide satisfactory evidence thereof to County, County shall be entitled to immediately terminate this Agreement.

iv. Consultant is not entitled to workers' compensation benefits except as

provided by the Consultant, nor to unemployment insurance benefits unless unemployment compensation coverage is provided by Consultant or some other entity. The Consultant is obligated to pay all federal and state income tax on any moneys paid pursuant to this Agreement.

v. If Consultant maintains broader coverage and/or higher limits than the minimums shown above, County requires and shall be entitled to the broader coverage and/or the higher limits maintained by Consultant. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to County."

Further, the successful respondent(s) shall comply with the following indemnification language which shall be included in the agreement to be awarded:

"The Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless County, and any of its officers, agents and employees against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities for which County may become subject to, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, directly or indirectly, this Agreement, or are based upon any performance or nonperformance by Consultant or any of its sub-consultants hereunder; and Consultant shall reimburse County for reasonable attorney fees and costs, legal and other expenses incurred by County in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. This indemnification shall not apply to claims by third parties against the County to the extent that County is liable to such third party for such claims without regard to the involvement of the Consultant. This paragraph shall survive expiration or termination hereof."

Further, the successful respondent(s) shall comply with the following accessibility language which shall be included in the agreement to be awarded:

"In the event that County determines that the Services described herein include information or communications technology, such as digital content, that must be made "accessible" in accordance with Colorado law, Consultant agrees to, if requested by County, undertake such reasonable efforts that may be needed of Consultant to adapt and convert work product to ensure it is "accessible" within the meaning of Sections 24-85-101, et seq., C.R.S., and its implementing regulations."

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL FORM

THIS PROPOSAL FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR PROPOSAL

TO: Eagle County, Colorado

500 Broadway

Post Office Box 850

Eagle, CO 81631

Re: EAGLE COUNTY STRATEGY FOR COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION

The undersigned, having examined the Instructions to Proposers and any and all documents related to the above referenced RFP:

Agrees to comply with all conditions, requirements, and instructions of the Request for Proposal as stated or implied therein;

Acknowledges the right of Eagle County, Colorado in its sole discretion to reject any or all proposals submitted, and that an award may be made to a respondent even though not the lowest cost;

Acknowledges and agrees that the discretion of Eagle County, Colorado in selection of the successful respondent(s) shall be final, not subject to review or attack; and

Acknowledges that this proposal is made with full knowledge of the foregoing and full agreement thereto.

By submission of this proposal, and signature below, the respondent acknowledges that the respondent has the authority to sign this Proposal Form and bind the company named below. The respondent further acknowledges that Eagle County, Colorado has the right to make any inquiry or investigation it deems appropriate to substantiate or supplement information contained in the proposal and related documents, and authorizes release to Eagle County of any and all information sought in such inquiry or investigation.

Company Name: _______________________________________

Title of Respondent: _______________________________________

Signature of Respondent: _______________________________________

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Eagle County Government ("ECG") seeks a qualified consultant to audit potential mechanisms for action and the fiscal and strategic partnership instruments available to ECG to meet the community Climate Action Plan ("CAP") goals. The study will identify and recommend actions prioritized by greenhouse gas ("GHG") reduction impact, will define ECG's role in the community's CAP goals, and provide a roadmap for implementation.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The consultant shall execute the following three-phase approach to provide the basis for the county's recommended activities. Please note that any recommended action may be independently reviewed and evaluated by ECG staff and legal counsel.

Audit ECG's potential basis for action and consideration under the Climate Action Plan.

Provide potentially available mechanisms for ECG to consider for the implementation of regulations or requirements related to achieving CAP goals, including the identification of regulations or requirements adopted by other statutory counties in Colorado. The consultant should also research and document the work of counties across the United States with a focus on counties in Colorado leading in GHG reduction and climate resilience - outlining who they are, what they're doing, their rationale, and any lessons learned.

Define ECG's jurisdictional boundaries as to the implementation and application of the community CAP goals and to ensure no jurisdictional overreach. Identify potential consistencies or conflicts between ECG's community CAP and jurisdictions within and adjacent to Eagle County.

Research and document the public health, safety, and general welfare basis for decarbonization mandates - linking GHG reduction to protected public interest.

Assess ECG's fiscal and partnership contributions toward CAP goals.

Evaluate the "return on investment" for fiscal investments and climate action partnerships. Include additional considerations such as GHG, reduction, public safety, social cost of carbon, long-term utility savings for residents, improved building stock, and infrastructure investment.

Identify alternative funding mechanisms for climate initiatives, including, but not limited to potential fees, grants, or ballot measures.

Create a list of recommendations to maximize ECG investment in GHG reduction and associated co-benefits (e.g., public safety, social cost of carbon, long-term utility savings for residents, improved building stock, driving technological advancements, greater visibility, leading in the marketplace, and infrastructure investment).

Create an implementation roadmap with associated cost-benefit analysis. For every recommended activity, provide a basis for action statement including, but not limited to:

Economic Basis (e.g., avoided social cost of carbon or long-term utility savings for residents)

Climate Basis (e.g., estimated metric tons of CO2e reduced)

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposal Form. Must be signed and submitted with response.

Qualifications. Briefly explain your company's qualifications to provide the services requested, e.g., years in business, staffing, vehicles to be utilized and experience. Include any relevant certifications, such as American Institute of Certified Planners, Professional Engineer, or Certified Energy Manager.

Experience. Share any relevant experience, such as:

Demonstrated success in similar projects;

Knowledge of relevant state and local government legal framework;

Carbon accounting and GHG-protocol mastery;

Building code proficiency, including above-code planning and implementation;

Impact-fee nexus studies;

Utility coordination;

Transit and/or vehicle-miles travelled reduction;

Social justice or Just Transition planning; and/or

Experience related to diverse community elements, such as complex building codes, high-altitude energy performance, a commuter workforce that crosses county lines, legacy agricultural production, etc.

Approach and Methodology. Briefly describe the Consultant's approach and methodology to performing Scope of Services and providing Deliverables.

Schedule. After a short selection committee decision and contracting, services are expected to begin July 1, 2026 with the final deliverable due January 31, 2027

Budget/Pricing. Provide hourly rates for a scope not to exceed $150,000.

Familiarity with Eagle County. Provide a narrative describing familiarity with Eagle County and/or clear demonstration of understanding of Eagle County's climate, economy, demographics.

References. Please provide three (3) references from current customers receiving the same or similar service(s). Include name of entity, contact name and telephone number.

Legal Issues. Are there any lawsuits, federal, state or local tax liens, or any potential claims or liabilities against you, your company or the officers of the company at this time or within the last three years? If so, please explain.

Deliverables. Respondent agrees to provide the following ADA-accessible document with the following sections:

Basis for Action or Consideration: A concise technical document for County Leadership outlining the potential mechanisms for ECG to consider in the implementation of regulations or requirements related to achieving CAP goals and the economic and climate bases for each proposed GHG reduction tool or climate strategy tool.

Inventory of Community Interventions: A categorized database (Excel or Sheets) of all potential County actions, ranked by GHG reduction impact.

Roadmap: A public-facing section of the document that clearly explains to residents and businesses what the County is doing or should be doing and how those efforts support its role in leading community efforts and contribution toward community Climate Action Plan goals.

Jurisdictional Gap Analysis: A map or table showing where County authority ends for recommended measures and municipal or utility authority begins, identifying hand-off points.

11. Evaluation Criteria. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Technical Expertise, Experience, and Qualifications

Approach and Methodology

Schedule and Time-Effectiveness

Budget and Cost-Effectiveness

Familiarity with Eagle County

References and Past Performance