Hazard Mitigation Plan Consulting

Bid Postings • Hazard Mitigation Plan Consulting Skip to Main Content Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Website Sign In City Government Our Community Doing Business Just Visiting How Do I Search Home Bid Postings Print Sign up to receive a text message or email when new bids are added! Print Bid Title: Hazard Mitigation Plan Consulting Category: Economic Development Status: Open Description: CITY OF BELFAST REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN DEADLINE 12:00 PM, JUNE 24TH, 2026 1. BACKGROUND The City of Belfast (hereinafter “City”), acting as lead agency, seeks proposals from qualified individuals or firms (hereinafter “Consultant”) to provide professional consulting services for the development of a FEMA-compliant Hazard Mitigation Plan (“HMP”) for the City of Belfast. The Consultant will work collaboratively with City staff, elected officials, committees, regional stakeholders, and state and federal partners throughout the planning process. Key participants may include, but are not limited to, the Mayor and City Council, the City Manager, Harbor Master, City Planner, Fire Chief/EMA Director, Police Chief, Deputy Economic Development Director, Harbor Advisory Committee, and the Climate, Energy and Utilities Committee (CEUC). The City has undertaken several recent resilience and climate-related initiatives, including the adoption of the Climate Action Plan (2023) and Harbor Vulnerability Plan (2025). The city is currently working on a Strategic Energy Plan, which is expected to be completed by August 2026. The Hazard Mitigation Plan will build upon these efforts and integrate existing planning documents, hazard analyses, and resilience strategies into a comprehensive mitigation planning framework. The Consultant will be responsible for conducting research, GIS mapping, data collection, hazard identification and risk assessment, capability assessment, mitigation strategy development, public engagement support, and preparation of all draft and final plan documents necessary for FEMA approval. Work under this contract must begin no later than August 1, 2026, and be completed no later than December 31, 2027. The Consultant shall coordinate with the City, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and FEMA to ensure the plan receives final approval and adoption. Funding for this effort has been provided by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) subrecipient award. The total consultant proposal must not exceed $40,000. 2. PROJECT GOALS The primary goal of this project is to develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan that identifies natural hazards affecting the City of Belfast, assesses community vulnerabilities, and establishes strategies and actions to reduce long-term risks to people, property, infrastructure, the economy, and natural resources. The Consultant will identify and analyze a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure, as well as newly identified hazards. The Consultant shall also identify best practices for the City to employ in mitigating each hazard. The Hazard Mitigation Plan shall address existing and future hazard risks, including those associated with climate change and severe weather events. Hazards for consideration may include, but are not limited to: • Coastal flooding and storm surge • Sea level rise • Severe storms and wind events • Extreme precipitation, snow, and ice events • Riverine flooding • Erosion • Extreme temperatures • Drought • Wildfire • Infrastructure failure and utility disruptions The planning process will result in: 1. Identification and assessment of hazards and vulnerabilities affecting the City; 2. Evaluation of community assets, infrastructure, and critical facilities at risk; 3. Review of existing plans, policies, programs, and local capabilities; 4. Development of mitigation goals, strategies, and prioritized actions to reduce hazard impacts; 5. Coordination with residents, stakeholders, and public officials to ensure community participation; and 6. Preparation and adoption of a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan compliant with current FEMA and MEMA requirements. Special attention should be given to vulnerable infrastructure, waterfront areas, critical facilities, transportation systems, utility systems, and populations susceptible to hazard impacts. 3. SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED The Consultant shall provide all professional services necessary to complete a FEMA-compliant Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Belfast. Task 1 – Project Initiation and Public Engagement Kick-Off Meeting The Consultant shall conduct a project kick-off meeting with City staff and MEMA representatives to review project goals, planning requirements, available data, project schedule, stakeholder coordination, and public engagement strategies. The Consultant shall facilitate coordination with the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee and provide guidance throughout the planning process. Public and Stakeholder Engagement The Consultant shall support the City in engaging the public, local stakeholders, partner agencies, and community organizations throughout the planning process. Public engagement may include workshops, public meetings, surveys, interviews, informational materials, and presentations. The Consultant shall document public participation efforts and incorporate public input into the draft and final plan. Task 2 – Data Collection, Research, and Existing Conditions Analysis The Consultant shall conduct all necessary research, data collection, GIS mapping, and analysis required to support development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Tasks shall include: • Collection and review of available hazard data and mapping; • Identification of critical facilities and infrastructure; • Review of existing plans, policies, ordinances, and studies; • GIS mapping of hazard-prone areas and community assets; • Analysis of demographic, environmental, and economic vulnerabilities; and • Documentation of previous hazard events and impacts. Relevant documents for review may include, but are not limited to: • Comprehensive Plan (2023) • Climate Action Plan (2023) • Harbor Vulnerability Plan (2025) • Strategic Energy Plan (2026) • Municipal emergency management documents • Previous hazard mitigation planning materials • FEMA and MEMA guidance documents Task 3 – Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Based on the information collected in Task 2, the Consultant shall complete a comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment in accordance with FEMA's Local Mitigation Planning Handbook requirements. The assessment shall include: • Identification and profiling of hazards affecting the community; • Analysis of hazard frequency, extent, probability, and potential impacts; • Assessment of vulnerability to identified hazards; • Analysis of impacts to people, buildings, infrastructure, critical facilities, natural resources, and the local economy; • Evaluation of development trends in hazard-prone areas; • Review of repetitive loss properties and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participation; and • Assessment of future vulnerabilities associated with climate trends and changing conditions. The Consultant shall also conduct a capability assessment evaluating existing plans, policies, regulations, staffing, programs, and resources available to support hazard mitigation activities. Task 4 – Mitigation Strategy Development Using findings from previous tasks, the Consultant shall develop a comprehensive mitigation strategy for the City. The mitigation strategy shall include: • Updated mitigation goals and objectives; • Identification and prioritization of mitigation actions and projects; • Evaluation of feasible mitigation alternatives; • Recommendations for policy, regulatory, and operational improvements; • Strategies to protect critical infrastructure and public facilities; • Recommendations to improve community resilience and emergency preparedness; and • Documentation of continued compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Consultant shall work with City staff, stakeholders, and the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee to prioritize mitigation actions based on risk-reduction potential, cost-effectiveness, technical feasibility, environmental considerations, and implementation capacity. Task 5 – Plan Preparation, Review, and Adoption The Consultant shall prepare all draft and final plan documents required for FEMA and MEMA review and approval. Responsibilities shall include: • Preparation of administrative drafts and public review drafts; • Incorporation of City, MEMA, FEMA, and public comments; • Preparation of final plan maps, graphics, and appendices; • Submission of the draft plan to MEMA and FEMA; • Assistance with revisions required for approval; • Support for City Council review and formal plan adoption; and • Delivery of final digital plan files and supporting materials. The final Hazard Mitigation Plan shall meet all applicable FEMA and MEMA requirements for local hazard mitigation planning. 4. QUALIFICATION STATEMENT Interested individuals or firms are instructed to follow the format by providing a cover letter and responses to each of the three numbered (Sections 2-6) evaluation factors listed below. The cover letter will not be scored, and the percentage weight for each evaluation factor follows each required response. Statements that do not follow this format, or do not contain the requested information, may be considered unresponsive statements and not be considered by the City. There is a maximum limit of twenty (20) pages; this limit applies to the entirety of the qualification statement, whether it is the cover letter, insurance documentation, responses to the evaluation factors, appendices, tables, resumes, or any other supporting documentation. While we do no