RFP for 79 S Main Hazmat
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Sound Communities, Inc. (Sound) is requesting proposals
from Licensed Environmental Professionals to provide
hazardous building material abatement and soil remediation
design and monitoring services to support the demolition
of 79 South Main Street, 6 & 8 Chestnut Street, located in Norwalk, CT.
KEY INFORMATION
RFP RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals must be submitted on or before
Friday, July 17th, 2026, at 5:00PM EST. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
SUBMISSION PROCESS: Proposals must be submitted via email to sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org.
STAFF CONTACT: Questions and requests for information should be directed via email to Sophia Stewart, Project Coordinator, at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org.
1. Invitation to Submit Proposals
By way of this Request for Proposals (RFP), Sound Communities Inc. (Sound) intends to secure a licensed environmental professional or firm (each, a Consultant) to provide hazardous building material abatement and soil remediation design and monitoring services during the demolition phase of an affordable, multifamily housing construction project. Each Consultant responding to this RFP should be prepared and equipped to provide full service to Sound in an expeditious and timely manner to meet critical deadlines and funder requirements.
NOTE: This RFP, and any contract awarded as a result of this RFP, is contingent upon the award of Brownfields Remediation grant funding to Sound Communities by the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). In the event DECD funding is not awarded, Sound reserves the right to cancel this RFP and any resulting selection or award without liability to Sound.
Sound has received Brownfields Remediation grant funding through the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to abate and demolish five (5) structures--three (3) multifamily buildings with a combined 16 total units, a maintenance shed, and retail space which holds four (4) storefronts. In addition, DECD funding will be used to remediate contaminated soil in locations identified through Environmental Site Assessments. The Consultant will prepare hazardous building materials abatement and soil remediation plans and specifications and will perform project monitoring services to support the abatement and remediation work and the administrative close-out of the grant. The site address is 79 S. Main Street and 6-8 Chestnut Street located in Norwalk, Connecticut. It is one parcel.
This work must be performed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the 2024 CHFA Construction Guidelines: Hazardous Materials Review, the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) Professional Services Selection Guidelines, the Connecticut Site Characterization Guidance Document, the Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations (Sections 22a-133k-1 through 22a-133k-3 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies), and ASTM Standard Practice for Environment Site Assessments E-1527-21.
2. Background and Mission
Sound Communities Inc. (Sound), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2020, is the development arm of the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA). Sound exists to redevelop NHA's aging public housing stock and create high quality, affordable housing in Fairfield County. Recent projects include Oak Grove, which added 69 new affordable units and a Learning Center, and the redevelopment of Meadow Gardens, which will create 59 affordable units and a Learning Center. Both Oak Grove and Meadow Gardens were financed using Low Income Housing Tax Credits and state grants. Sound's team consists of a Vice President of Development, Project Manager, Project Coordinator and Property Manager.
3. Project Description
Sound intends to redevelop 79 S. Main and 6-8 Chestnut Street (one parcel) in Norwalk, CT. The site has five (5) existing structures--three (3) multifamily buildings with a combined 16 total units, a maintenance shed, and four (4) storefronts. The total square footage of the structures is 23,738 SF. All existing structures are proposed to be demolished.
Sound is targeting an October 2026 start date for the hazmat abatement, soil remediation and demolition phase ("Brownfields phase"). Note: Ground-up construction for the new development will begin after the close-out of the Brownfields phase and no services in this RFP are related to the ground-up construction phase.
LaRosa is General Contractor/Pre-Construction Manager on both the Brownfield and ground-up construction phases of the project. LaRosa will bid out the demo and abatement subcontracts with support from the selected Consultant.
The Project must adhere to CT DECD, Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), Department of Housing (DOH) and HUD standards in regard to procurement, construction, environmental considerations, labor and wages, and other related matters. This is a prevailing wage job and the project is tax-exempt.
4. RFP Scope of Work
The hazardous building material abatement and soil remediation design and monitoring firm will be retained by Sound to provide services for the 79 S. Main Brownfields project. The Consultant will work closely with LaRosa Builders Group, the project's General Contractor/Pre-construction Manager.
The following generally highlights the services that the Consultant will be required to perform.
Design Scope:
• Develop Division 1 and 2 Technical Specifications
• Develop Hazardous Materials Abatement and Soil Remediation Plans and Specifications
• Develop Alternative Work Practice Document
• Prepare and submit notifications to CT DEEP prior to commencing work
Bid Scope:
• Attend 1 Pre-Bid Meeting with General Contractor
• Respond to Bid RFIs, as needed
• Attend 1 Scope Review Meeting with Selected Subcontractor
Project Monitoring Scope:
• Monitor and document abatement and remediation activities daily
• Prepare and maintain hazardous waste manifests and verify waste classification
• Track chain of custody
• Verify amounts of contaminated soil removed from site
• Conduct air sampling, if necessary
• Conduct additional soil sampling, if necessary
• Attend weekly OAC meetings
• Review and respond to RFIs and submittals
• Review change orders, if applicable
• Travel to and from Site
Brownfields Grant Close-out Scope:
• Prepare written report of clean-up activities
• Compile all documentation into one package for the Owner to submit to DECD
The awarded firm will be the sole LEP consultant. Duties typical of LEP consultants shall be included in this contract. The intent is to have a complete scope of work.
5. RFP Exhibits
Please email Sophia Stewart, Project Coordinator, at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org to request copies of the following reports:
• Pre-Demolition Hazardous Building Materials Inspection Report, 79 S. Main Street (March 18, 2025)
• Pre-Demolition Hazardous Building Materials Inspection Report, 6 & 8 Chestnut Street (March 18, 2025)
• Limited Supplemental Asbestos-Containing Materials Report (May 20, 2026)
• Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (April 2025)
• Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (September 2025)
• Limited Phase III Environmental Site Assessment (March 2026)
6. Submission Instructions
Respondents must submit one (1) original and complete proposal package via email to Sophia Stewart at SStewart@SoundCommunitiesCT.org. Proposal packages must be received no later than Friday, July 17th, 2026 at 5:00PM EST.
To be considered, respondents must submit a proposal package in the manner prescribed below.
Each submission must contain the following information:
1. Firm Overview
• Description of firm's history, size, office locations, and services offered
2. Project Team
• Qualifications of staff to perform scope of work outlined in this RFP
3. Project Experience Past Five (5) Years
• A summary of the firm's relevant experience, especially relating to other DECD Brownfields projects. Summary shall include contracts held within the last five (5) years, including project name, address, and services offered.
4. Client References
• The firm must provide a list of three (3) past clients with contact information.
5. Licenses and Certifications
6. Signed RFP Certification
7. Signed Debarment Certification
8. Bid Sheet
9. Hourly Rate and Expense Schedule
Respondents must submit a fully loaded hourly rate and expense schedule for each staff classification anticipated to work on this project. The rate schedule submitted shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the date of the contract execution.
In submitting a response to this RFP, the respondent acknowledges that Sound shall not compensate the respondent for any submission or contract negotiation costs, including costs for preparation, appearances, interviews, and/or travel expenses.
To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, written questions will be the only opportunity for respondents to inquire about form and content. Sound will only answer written inquiries received by e-mail before the submission deadline. Please send inquiries to SStewart@SoundCommunitiesCT.org.
7. Selection Process/Evaluation Process
All proposal packages submitted on or before July 10th, 2026, at 5:00PM EST will be reviewed and scored by Sound.
Selection Criteria
Maximum Rating Points
Experience with similar projects- 20 points
Qualifications of Project Team- 20 points
Fee- 10 points
TOTAL-50 points
Sound reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the proposals submitted and without conducting an interview process. Therefore, proposals should be clear and complete with regard to the above criteria.
NOTE: Fee will not be the sole basis of selection.
8. Terms and Conditions (Non-Construction Contracts)
Sound reserves the right to cancel this RFP or to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP. Further, Sound reserves the right to waive any minor informalities in any proposals received, if in the best interest of Sound. The determination of the selection criteria and the process whereby proposals are evaluated shall be made at the sole discretion of Sound.
A proposal may be corrected, modified, or withdrawn provided that the correction, modification, or request for withdrawal is made by the Respondent in writing and is received prior to the Submission Deadline. After the Submission Deadline, the Respondent may not change the proposal fee or any other provision in its proposal in a manner prejudicial to the interests of Sound and/or fair competition. Sound reserves the right to retain submitted proposals and not permit withdrawal for a period of 90 days after the Submission Deadline.
Sound reserves the right to revise, change or terminate a contract awarded pursuant to this RFP at any time for its convenience upon 30 days written notice to the Contractor without prejudice or liability if, but not limited to:
• Funding is not available
• Legal restrictions are placed upon the expenditure of monies for this category of service, or
• Sound's requirements in good faith change after contract award.
The Respondent certifies by submission of a proposal that it is not a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor by any Agency of Federal of State government. No proposal received from a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor will qualify for award.
Termination for Cause and for Convenience
• Sound may terminate this contract as a whole, or from time to time in part, for Sound's convenience or the failure of the Contractor to fulfill the contract obligations (cause/default). Sound shall terminate by delivering to the Contractor a written notice of termination specifying the nature, extent, and effective date of termination. Upon receipt of the notice, the Contractor shall: (1) immediately discontinue all services affected (unless the notice directs otherwise), and (2) deliver to Sound all information, reports, papers, and other materials accumulated or generated in performing the contract, whether completed or in process.
• If the termination is for the convenience of Sound, Sound shall be liable only for payment for services rendered before the effective date of the termination. If the termination is due to failure of the Contractor to fulfill its obligations under the contract (cause/default), Sound may (1) require the Contract to deliver to it, in the manner and to the extent directed by Sound, any work described in the Notice of Termination; (2) take over the work and prosecute the same to completion by contractor of otherwise, and the Contractor shall be liable for any additional cost incurred by Sound; and (3) withhold any payment to the Contractor, for the purpose of set-off or partial payment, as the case may be, of amounts owed by Sound to the contractor. In the event of termination for cause/default, Sound will be liable to the Contractor for reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor before the effective date of the termination. Any dispute shall be decided by the Contracting Officer.
• Sound shall have exclusive ownership of all proprietary interests in, and the right to full and exclusive possession of all information, materials and documents discovered or produced by Contractor pursuant to the terms of this Contract.
• In the event that insufficient funds are appropriated and budgeting or funding is otherwise unavailable in any fiscal period for this Project, then Sound, shall have the unqualified right to terminate the Work Order(s), or Agreement upon written notice to the Contractor, without any penalty or expense to Sound. No guarantee, warranty or representation is made that any particular work or any project(s) will be assigned to any firm(s).
Payment & Taxes
The Contractor will be required to submit invoices monthly. The invoice will include a breakdown of all services provided, including timesheets of employees assigned to the project. Sound will authorize and process payment for each invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt of the invoice.
Any markup applied by the Contractor to the subcontracted or third-party professional services (including but not limited to laboratory testing, analytical service, or sub-consultant fees) shall not exceed five percent (5%), consistent with applicable DAS/State of Connecticut standards.
All Contractors doing business with Sound are hereby made aware that Sound is exempt from paying Connecticut State Sales and Use Taxes. A letter of Tax Exemption will be provided upon request.
Hold Harmless
The successful respondent agrees that it shall indemnify and hold harmless Sound from and against any and all claims for injury, loss of life, or damage to or loss of property caused or alleged to be caused by acts or omissions of the successful respondent, its employees, and invites on or about the premises and which arise out of the successful respondent's performance or failure to perform as specified in the agreement.
Official, Agent and Employees of Sound Not Personally Liable
It is agreed by and between the parties hereto that in no event shall any official, officer, employee, or agent of Sound in any way be personally liable or responsible for any convent or agreement herein contained whether expressed or implied, nor for any statement, representation or warranty made herein or in any connection with this agreement.
Change Orders
Sound reserves the right to increase or decrease this contract, if required, regarding service, frequencies of the service and type of service, with mutual consent of the Contractor.
Non-Performance
In the event the Contractor does not fulfill its obligations under the terms and conditions of the contract, Sound may purchase equivalent services on the open market.
Force Majeure
Neither the Contractor nor Sound shall be held liable for non-performance under the terms and conditions of the contract due, but not limited to government restriction, strike, flood, fire or unforeseen catastrophe beyond either party's control. Each party shall notify the other of any situation that may prevent performance under the terms and conditions of the contract.
Debarred/Suspended
The Respondent certifies by submission of a proposal that it is not a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor by any Agency of Federal of State government. No proposal received from a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor will qualify for award.
Additional Requirements
The consultant shall furnish evidence of the following forms of insurance from a company with B+ or better rating in the current edition of Best's Rating Guide which must be maintained through completion of the project.
• Professional Liability: Minimum Coverage $1,000,000
• Comprehensive General Liability with broad form Comprehensive General Liability endorsement and auto (non-owned and hired): Minimum Coverage $1,000,000 per occurrence
• Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability: Minimum Coverages $100,000 each employee, $500,000 policy limit
• Automotive Liability (owned vehicles), if applicable: Minimum Coverage $1,000,000
• General Aggregate: $2,000,000
The Contractor must provide a copy of each applicable policy to Sound Communities Inc. Insurance coverage must be maintained until completion of the project. All insurances must include the following endorsements:
Sound Communities Inc.
24 ½ Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT 06854