REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR GEOTECHNICAL & SOIL TESTING SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, BUFFALO, NY

CITY OF BUFFALO
NEW YORK
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
920 CITY HALL
65 NIAGARA SQUARE
BUFFALO, NY 14202
PHONE (716) 851-5406, FAX (716) 851-4385
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
GEOTECHNICAL & SOIL TESTING SERVICES
FOR
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, BUFFALO, NY
ISSUE DATE: JUNE 11, 2026
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DATE:
June 30, 2026 AT 4:00 PM

Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
Table of Contents
I. Project Purpose & Scope of Work ............................................................................................................... 3
II. Project Timeline .......................................................................................................................................... 6
III. Instructions for Submissions ...................................................................................................................... 6
IV. Submission Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 7
A. Approach to Project ............................................................................................................................7
B. Experience on Similar Projects ...........................................................................................................7
C. Fee Proposal .......................................................................................................................................7
V. Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................................................................... 7
VI. Contracting with Minority and Women Business Enterprises ................................................................... 8
VII. Insurance Requirements and Indemnification (to be contained in any contract awarded from this RFP
process) .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
VIII. Reservations .......................................................................................................................................... 10
IX. General Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 11
X. NON-COLLUSION CERTIFICATION ............................................................................................................. 14
XI. RESPONDENT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT .................................................................................. 15
CITY'S LIVING WAGE FORM.......................................................................................................................... 16
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
I. Project Purpose & Scope of Work
The City of Buffalo is currently preparing redevelopment strategies for vacant residential properties the
City owns in various neighborhoods. As part of this initial redevelopment strategy, the City is proposing
to construct 40 single family houses on multiple parcels located in the Masten Park neighborhood. In order
to ensure these sites are structural adequate to support the foundations (concrete slab on grade) of these
new structures and soil conditions do not exceed contamination thresholds associated with Restricted
Uses - Residential Soil Cleanup Objectives (SCOs) per 6 NYCRR PART 375 Table 375-6.8(b), geotechnical
evaluation and soil analysis of these sites will need to be conducted to determine appropriate site
preparation prior to construction. In addition, general Soil Management Plans (SMPs) will need to be
prepared for three (3) neighborhood areas to guide all development activities for all sites based on the
analysis of each site's condition.
Most sites have been assembled from multiple parcels to comply with applicable zoning regulations, with
some sites splitting parcels between one another. New boundary surveys will be conducted and the City
will provide them to the selected consultant in order to ensure the investigations are conducted in the
general area of the proposed building foundations. Attachment A includes the 40 building sites as
combined overlaying the previous parcels. The following sites will need geotechnical and soil analysis
services:
Neighborhood Area 1
- 333 Woodlawn Ave (contains portion of 339 Woodlawn Ave)
- 339 Woodlawn Ave (contains all of 341 Woodlawn Ave)
- 371 Woodlawn Ave (contains portion of 373 Woodlawn Ave)
- 375 Woodlawn Ave (contains portion of 373 Woodlawn Ave)
- 16 Storz Ave (contains portion of 20 Storz Ave)
- 20 Storz Ave (contains portion of 24 Storz Ave)
- 24 Storz Ave (contains all of 26 Storz Ave)
- 83 Dupont St (contains portion of 85 Dupont St)
- 89 Dupont St (contains portion of 85 Dupont St)
Neighborhood Area 2
- 144 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 146 Winslow Ave)
- 148 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 146 & 152 Winslow Ave)
- 154 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 152 Winslow Ave)
- 145 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 147 Winslow Ave)
- 151 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 147 Winslow Ave)
- 155 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 151 & 157 Winslow Ave)
- 159 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 157 Winslow Ave)
- 161 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 159 Winslow Ave)
- 195 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 197 Winslow Ave)
- 201 Winslow Ave (contains portion of 197 Winslow Ave)
- 230 Landon St
- 464 Riley St
- 474 Riley St
- 514 Riley St (contains portion of 518 Riley St)
- 520 Riley St (contains portion of 518 Riley St)
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
Neighborhood Area 3
- 363 East Utica St (contains portion of 367 East Utica St)
- 367 East Utica St (contains all of 369 East Utica St)
- 86 Landon St (contains portion of 90 Landon St)
- 92 Landon St (contains portion of 90 Landon St)
- 96 Landon St (contains portion of 92 Landon St)
- 100 Landon St (contains all of 98 Landon St & portion of 102 Landon St)
- 104 Landon St (contains portion of 102 Landon St)
- 105 Landon St (contains portion of 107 Landon St)
- 109 Landon St (contains portion of 107 Landon St)
- 113 Landon St (contains portion of 109 Landon St)
- 117 Landon St (contains portion of 113 Landon St)
- 35 Kingsley St (contains portion of 39 Kingsley St)
- 41 Kingsley St (new address, contains portion of 39 Kingsley St and all of 43 Kingsley St)
- 67 Kingsley St (contains portion of 69 Kingsley St)
- 71 Kingsley St (new address, contains portions of 69 & 73 Kingsley St)
- 77 Kingsley St (contains portion of 73 Kingsley St)
Geotechnical Services Scope of Work
The properties previously contained residential structures that have been demolished as a result of fire
or structural deficiencies as a result of abandonment and deferred maintenance. Prior to 2007,
demolitions may have been conducted where construction materials and debris from structures were
buried within basements and other sub-structures on-site. A geotechnical report shall be prepared for all
proposed sites and include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:
1. Site mobilization, including utility clearing prior to subsurface investigations through UDig NY or
by calling 811.
2. Development or utilization of a general Health and Safety Plan outlining procedures and
guidelines insuring contractor worker safety while conducting on-site activities.
3. Review of available soils data, bedrock and groundwater information, coordination and execution
of the soil exploration program (minimum of one test pit per site), laboratory analysis of soil
samples collected and evaluation of the collected data.
4. Report outlining findings, conclusions and recommendations for all sites. Analysis should include
at a minimum site conditions, geotechnical characterization, seismic design criteria (including site
classification), earthwork (site preparation; existing fill; excavation requirements; fill and backfill
materials; compaction standards; floor subgrade preparation; utility trench backfill; grading and
drainage; construction considerations; etc.), and concrete slab design and construction
recommendations (allowable bearing pressures, settlement estimates, etc.).
Soil Analysis & Soil Reuse Scope of Work
Soil for each site shall be sampled and analyzed for re-use on-site or off-site if appropriate, and disposal
if reuse is not permissible in accordance with NYSDEC Parts 360. The City currently has sites that can
accept Type 1-4 Soils in accordance with NYSDEC Part 360.13, so information from this analysis will be
used to determine appropriate reuse strategies. If soils on site exceed permissible Restricted Uses -
Residential SCOs in accordance with NYSDEC Part 375, further sampling/testing should be included as an
optional subtask in the event additional investigation on remaining areas of a site is warranted. A soil
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
analysis and reuse report shall be prepared for all proposed sites and include, but not limited to, the
following tasks:
1. Development or utilization of a general Health and Safety Plan outlining procedures and
guidelines insuring contractor worker safety while conducting on-site activities.
2. Concurrently with the soil exploration program and development of tests pits under the
geotechnical services, collect a minimum of two (2) subsurface soil samples per site. Soil samples
selected for lab analysis should generally be based on where fill material is present in the test pits,
or at an appropriate depth below ground surface if soils appeared to be consistent and native to
the site where excavation would occur to support the concrete slab and aggregate subbase. One
(1) sample will be analyzed for metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, semi-volatile
organic compounds (SVOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and one (1) sample will be
analyzed for VOCs only. Samples shall be tested in accordance with parameters under USEPA's
Target Compound List (TCL) and Target Analyte List (TAL). Appropriate Quality Assurance
measures will be utilized to ensure that accurate and precise data are collected during the
investigation.
3. Field screening from the test pits and test pit materials utilizing a photo-ionization detector (PID)
if physical evidence of petroleum contamination (staining or odors) is encountered, and
subsequent recording of elevated readings and depth noted on the test pit logs.
4. Collection of two (2) surface soil samples per site representing the upper two inches of soil below
the hardscape or vegetative layer to be analyzed for lead only. Samples should be taken at least
a minimum of two feet from the perimeter of the former structure when possible based on
previous aerials, Sanborn Maps, field inspection based on ground disturbance grading/remaining
foundations, etc.
5. Analytical results will be tabularized and compared to NYSDEC Part 360 and Part 375 for
appropriate reuse and/or disposal strategies/recommendations in a final report. Sample analysis
should include all parameters listed on Table 375-6.8(b) of NYSDEC Remedial Program Cleanup
Objectives, except herbicides, and compared to all cleanup objectives.
Soil Management Plans Scope of Work
The Soil Management Plans (SMPs) for each neighborhood area shall include, but not be limited to, the
following information:
1. Introduction and Background Summary of all sites
2. Review of previous environmental reports
3. Extent of soil impacts
4. Excavation requirements
5. Soil management requirements
6. Site control requirements
7. Reporting and documentation requirements
8. Any appropriate exhibits and attachments
If the Consultant believes that a general SMP could be utilized for all neighborhood areas due to all
geotechnical and soil analysis/reuse scopes of work being completed within the same timeframe, this
should be reflected in the scope of work, cost estimates and project schedule.
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
II.Project Timeline
A description of the general timeframe needed to complete the geotechnical services and soil
testing services for all sites, and soil management plans for the three neighborhood areas. It is
expected that work would start once boundary surveys are conveyed to the consultant by the City -
boundary surveys may be conveyed in an ongoing manner to allow work to begin prior to full
completion of 40 surveys. Prior to the start of work, the City may discuss with the Consultant which
neighborhoods and/or sites should be prioritized pending evaluation of the project schedule. In the
event additional time is required to complete the tasks, the Consultant shall confer with the City prior
to any extensions being approved. Reasons for time extensions must be provided in writing with any
supporting documentation.
III. Instructions for Submissions
Each team or consultant must submit a full response as detailed in Section 5 Submission Requirements.
All submissions must be submitted electronically in an 8 12"x11" PDF document format. Due to size
limits for emailed documents to City email addresses, files must be under 10 MBs or may be provided
from a FTP site hosted by the consultant.
Listed below are anticipated target dates and relevant times by which actions related to this Request for
Proposals will be completed. In the event that there is any change or deviation from this schedule, such
change will be posted on the City's website.
EVENT DATE_____________________
Issuing of Request for Proposals June 11, 2026
Written Questions from Consultants due June 18, 2026
Responses to Questions sent by email June 25, 2026
Proposals Due by 4:00 PM June 30, 2026
Target Award Date Mid-Late July
Submissions must be addressed to the contact information below and must be received via email by 4:00
P.M., Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Jason Paananen
Director of Environmental Affairs
Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning
920 City Hall
65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, New York 14202
jpaananen@buffalony.gov
All questions or inquiries regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to Jason Paananen, Director of
Environmental Affairs at jpaananen@buffalony.gov. Questions and inquires will be accepted until
Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Questions and responses will be responded to and sent to
consultants who submit comments (or request to be included on responses to questions) by June 25,
2026. Depending on the volume and complexity of questions, the Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning
cannot guarantee that questions and inquiries submitted after Thursday, June 18, 2026 will be responded
to prior to the submission deadline.
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
IV. Submission Requirements
Submissions must include the following information in a brief and concise format. Proposals should not exceed 10
pages, excluding resumes of key personnel, required forms/attachments and insurance certificates. The City of Buffalo
reserves the right to request additional information during the review of proposals and to reject any and all
submissions.
A. Approach to Project
All proposals must state how the consultant or consultant team will approach the project. The proposal should not
only restate the Scope of Work but should state any specific tasks that will be undertaken to accomplish the Project
goals. The consultant should also propose any tasks or subtasks that they believe are required. Each task and subtasks
(if appropriate) must include the staff that will be assigned to that task.
B. Experience on Similar Projects
A description of the similar projects that the consultant has worked on must be included. At least three examples
must include a contact person for the project who may be contacted as a reference.
C. Fee Proposal
The proposal should include a proposed fee for all services delineated by task as outlined in the consultant's proposed
scope of work. Each proposal shall include a delineation of all costs attributed to each site's specific requirements.
The cost proposal should include the hourly rate of each staff member who will work on a task and their number of
hours by task. Any optional components or features recommended by the Consultant must be separately referenced
and include any and all costs attributed to such features. Reimbursable expenses should also be listed such as lab fees,
equipment costs, deliverables, consultant travel, and any printing cost.
D. Project Schedule
Based on the scope of work and project timeline constraints, the consultant should include a project schedule that
incorporates the expected start and completion timeframe stated in this RFP. If timeframes for certain tasks might be
altered due to known turnaround times for laboratory analysis, this should be noted with estimated completion dates.
E. Additional Required Information
o Are there any current legal proceedings involving (and or judgments against) the Consultant and or
members of the Consultant team or any of the affiliated individuals whether listed or not? If so, please
explain.
o Has the Consultant and or members of the Consultant team or any of the affiliated individuals ever
been debarred or prohibited from bidding on work by any state or federal agencies such as but not
limited to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business
Administration, Erie County, and or the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York? If so, please
explain.
V. Evaluation Criteria
All proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee
consisting of representatives from the Office of Strategic Planning and such other City personnel at the City's sole
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
discretion. Selection criteria will be weighted to a total score of 100. The City will evaluate proposals based on the
following selection criteria:
1. Completeness of the Submittal (10%): All required documents have been submitted and the submission presented
in a clear and concise manner;
2. Proposed Scope of Work (20%): The proposed scope of work meets the parameters of this RFP and the consultant
clearly explains how to accomplish each work task;
3. Experience and Qualifications (20%): Experience of the team on projects of similar scope and size, as well as the
experience of the staff assigned to each task; and
4. Cost Proposal (30%): Proposed total cost and the reasonableness of costs assigned to each task.
5. Contracting with Minority and Women Business Enterprises (20%): Per the Mayor's Executive Order 16-04, all City
Departments must incorporate into their Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for
professional services, including but not limited to legal, architectural, accounting and engineering services, the
following:
I. A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the total score of the professional services response to an RFP
or RFQ issued by the City of Buffalo is to be based on the bidder's minority workforce development,
community involvement and vendor policies;
II. II. A minimum of five percent (5%) of the total score of the professional services response to an RFP
or RFQ issued by the City of Buffalo is to be based on the bidder's women workforce development,
community involvement and vendor policies.
III. The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Workforce Development: Respondents should describe any programs or actions they undertake
to attract, recruit, train, retain and promote minority and female employees, partners and
associates and current representation of minorities and women.
b. Community Involvement: Respondents should describe any programs or initiatives they sponsor
or support that further the development of minority or women-owned business enterprises in the
City of Buffalo.
c. Vendor Policies: Respondents should describe any procurement policies or practices they have
adopted that provide M/WBE suppliers or services business opportunities.
VI. Contracting with Minority and Women Business Enterprises
Minority Employment and Business Opportunities
Each Consultant team shall provide any relevant information with respect to any program or action taken to attract,
recruit, retain and promote minority employees, partners and associates, including the Consultant's team current
minority workforce ("Workforce Development").
Each Consultant team shall additionally provide any information with respect to programs, initiatives, policies or
practices that support the development of, and provide business opportunities to, minority-owned businesses in the
City of Buffalo, including suppliers and service providers ("Community Involvement and Vendor Policies"). The City
maintains a goal of contracting with firms that subcontract to minority-owned businesses in the amount of 15% of
total contract price or more.
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
Examples of Workforce Development, Community Involvement and Vendor Policies that promote the employment of
minority employees and contracting with minority-owned businesses include direct hire programs, minority-owned
business utilization plans and youth hiring programs.
Female Employment and Business Opportunities
Each Consultant team shall provide any relevant information with respect to any program or action taken to attract,
recruit, retain and promote female employees, partners and associates, including the Consultant's team current
female workforce ("Workforce Development").
Each Consultant team shall additionally provide any information with respect to programs, initiatives, policies or
practices that support the development of, and provide business opportunities to, women-owned businesses in the
City of Buffalo, including suppliers and service providers ("Community Involvement and Vendor Policies"). The City
maintains a goal of contracting with firms that subcontract to female-owned businesses in the amount of 5% of total
contract price or more.
Examples of Workforce Development, Community Involvement and Vendor Policies that promote the employment of
female employees and contracting with women-owned businesses include direct hire programs, women-owned
business utilization plans and youth hiring programs.
VII. Insurance Requirements and Indemnification (to be contained in any contract awarded from this RFP
process)
The Consultant shall secure policies of Workman's Compensation & NYS Disability, Professional Liability, General
Liability and Automobile Liability Insurance, and shall maintain said policies in force during the life of this contract in
the limits set forth:
Workman's Compensation Insurance & NYS Disability:
This contract shall be void and of no effect unless the Consultant shall secure Workman's Compensation
Insurance for the benefit of, and keep insured during the life of this contract, such employees as are necessary
to be insured in compliance with the provisions of the State of New York Workmen's Compensation Law. The
Consultant shall also carry NYS Disability insurance. Evidence of Workmen's Compensation insurance and
evidence of NYS Disability Insurance shall each be provided on the New York forms by Consultant.
General Liability:
With respect to all operations the Consultant shall carry Commercial General Liability insurance providing for a
minimum limit of two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence and aggregate for all damages arising out of
bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and contractual liability
coverage for the indemnification provided under this contract.
Automobile Insurance:
With respect to any owned, non-owned, and or hired vehicles the Consultant shall carry Automobile Liability
insurance providing for a minimum limit of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per accident for bodily injury and
property damage.
Professional Liability:
With respect to any damage caused by an error, omission or any negligent acts of the Consultant, the Consultant
shall carry Professional Liability insurance providing coverage limits of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000).
All policies of insurance required by this contract shall be provided and maintained at no cost or expense to the CITY
and shall name the City of Buffalo as an Additional Insured and Certificate Holder with respect to the Consultant's
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Request for Proposals for Geotechnical & Soil Testing Services City of Buffalo, NY
activities. In addition, City shall be named as additional insured under any excess umbrella insurance policy(ies) carried
by Consultant. Professional Liability, Workmen's Compensation and NYS Disability Insurance shall name the City of
Buffalo as a Certificate Holder.
All policies of insurance shall be provided by a company or companies admitted in the State of New York and
authorized to do business in the State of New York. Before commencing the work, the Consultant shall furnish to the
City pertinent certificates of insurance, and shall thereafter provide renewal certificates, as appropriate, evidencing
such coverages written by a company or companies acceptable to the City. All certificates of insurance shall be subject
to the approval of the Corporation Counsel of the City as to form and of the Comptroller of the City as to sufficiency.
Such certificates and renewal certificates shall provide for a notice of cancellation, change, lapse or restrictive
amendment by certified or registered mail at least thirty (30) days.
Any contractor or subcontractor performing work under this contract shall procure and maintain statutory insurance
and other insurance as determined by the Consultant so as to properly cover the liability of the Consultant, contractor
and subcontractor(s). The policy limits shall be the same as required of the Consultant and the certificates of insurance
shall be delivered to the Consultant.
INDEMNIFICATION and HOLD HARMLESS
In any contract arising from this RFP solicitation, the Consultant chosen shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the
City and City's officers and employees from all claims, suits, actions, damages, losses, and costs of every name, nature,
and description to which the City may be subjected or put by reason of any injury to the person or property of another,
or the property of the City, arising in any manner whatsoever in connection with Consultant's services or resulting
from the negligence or carelessness, active or passive, of the Consultant, the Consultant's employees, agents or
subcontractors, in the performance of any work under the contract. In addition to and in furtherance of the foregoing
indemnity, the insurance coverage described herein must include language that states that the insurance carrier will
defend the City for any and all claims arising or resulting from the contract. Furthermore, the whole, or so much of
the money to become due under the contract as shall be considered necessary by the City, may be retained by it until
all suits or claims for damages shall have been settled or otherwise disposed of, and evidence to that effect furnished
to the satisfaction of the City.
NOTES:
Where required by City, Insurance Certificates MUST indicate and spell out City of Buffalo as additional insured and
spell out the City's office address as 65 Niagara Square, Room 920, Buffalo, New York 14202.
VIII. Reservations
1. The City reserves the right to stop this RFP process and or the selection process at any time with or without cause.
The City also reserves the right to reject any or all submittals.
2. The City reserves the right to seek additional information from respondents and related entities.
3. The City reserves the right to reject members of a development team.
4. All decisions related to this RFP are subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and the
policies and procedures of the City of Buffalo.
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