Okanogan Soil Remediation Pilot Project

The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting proposals through RFP No. 27-96541-OKA for the Okanogan Soil Remediation Pilot Project. The project responds to concerns about historic pesticide contamination affecting cannabis-producing farmland in Okanogan County. In April 2023, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board halted operations at several cannabis farms after testing identified elevated levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, or DDT, and DDT remnants such as DDE. Washington State Department of Ecology soil sampling subsequently indicated possible historic lead arsenate and DDT pesticide application in cannabis production areas. Although affected farms later resumed operations, concerns about DDT and DDE in the soil remain. Commerce intends to award one contract for the pilot project. The project is intended to implement a soil remediation pilot in Okanogan County using an approved remediation alternative described in the Feasibility Study Report included as Exhibit F. The selected location may not exceed 50 acres and must be utilized by at least 10 cannabis producers. Proposers must identify which of the four approved remediation alternatives they propose to apply, subject to landowner approval, and describe the estimated acreage that can be remediated. The Feasibility Study evaluates soil removal, capping in place, consolidation and capping with targeted capping in place, and containerization and capping; its preferred alternative is capping in place. Proposals must include estimated costs and approximate timelines for required project tasks and explain collaboration with Commerce and the two primary landowners. Implementation must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and environmental requirements. The RFP anticipates requirements including use of the SEPA checklist to identify actions needed to mitigate environmental impacts, clearing and grading permits, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, waste characterization documentation, waste hauling authorization or a Traffic Control Plan, and a Health and Safety Plan. Proposers must also explain compliance with state archaeological and cultural resource requirements and Governor Executive Order 21-02. Commerce has budgeted an amount not to exceed $3,880,000, and proposals exceeding that amount are non-responsive. Funding is state funding and payment will be made on a reimbursement basis for accepted deliverables and/or allowable time and expenses. The RFP states no cost-share or matching requirement. Eligibility is limited to local governments and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applicants must also be licensed to do business in Washington or commit to becoming licensed in Washington within 30 calendar days after selection as the Apparent Successful Contractor, and they must have experience completing at least one soil remediation project. Failure to clearly meet all minimum qualifications makes a proposal non-responsive. Proposals must contain eight items in the prescribed order: Letter of Submittal; Certifications and Assurances; Technical Proposal; Management Proposal; Cost Proposal; Diverse Business Inclusion Plan; Workers' Rights Certification; and Small or Veteran-Owned Business Certification. Electronic proposals must be emailed to RFP Coordinator Angie Hong at Angie.hong@commerce.wa.gov. Email attachments may be Microsoft Word, PDF, and other formats specified in the proposal instructions; zipped files and facsimile submissions are not accepted. Required signature documents must contain a scanned or digital signature from an authorized individual. The scored Technical Proposal must address project approach and methodology, work plan, project schedule, outcomes and performance measurement, risks, and deliverables. The Management Proposal addresses project team structure and internal controls, staff qualifications and experience, relevant organizational experience, related information, and references. A detailed Cost Proposal must identify costs in U.S. dollars, including staff costs and necessary expenses, with subcontractor costs separately identified. Technical Proposal factors account for 60 percent of the evaluation and Management Proposal factors account for 40 percent. The Cost Proposal is required but is not scored. Proposers certifying that they do not require employees to sign an individual arbitration clause as a condition of employment receive an additional 5 percent of awarded points. Commerce may invite top-scoring proposers to virtual presentations or interviews and may contact proposers for clarification, but proposal materials cannot be corrected or changed after the submission deadline. The RFP was issued August 7, 2026. Questions are accepted August 7 through August 24, 2026, with answers scheduled to be posted no later than August 26. A virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for August 17, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Pacific Time, but attendance is encouraged rather than mandatory and is not a pre-application gate. Complete proposals are due September 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, and late proposals are automatically disqualified unless Commerce determines its own email system was at fault. Proposal evaluation is scheduled for September 11 through September 18, optional finalist presentations for September 21, and announcement of the Apparent Successful Contractor for September 22. Contract negotiations are scheduled for October 1 through October 5, with October 6, 2026 as the earliest signing date. The anticipated period of performance is approximately October 6, 2026 through June 30, 2027, although Commerce reserves discretion to extend the contract for two one-year periods. No recurring application cycle is stated.

Address every mandatory requirement in the prescribed order and clearly demonstrate all minimum qualifications. Focus proposal development on the Technical Proposal because it carries 60% of the evaluation and fully address approach, work plan, schedule, measurable outcomes, risks, and deliverables. Management carries 40%, so clearly document team structure, internal controls, qualifications, and relevant remediation and regulatory experience. Keep the total proposed cost at or below $3,880,000. Cost is required but not scored. Proposals cannot be corrected or changed after the deadline.