Coastal Waterways Inventory RFP.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Coastal Waterways Inventory Project
Request for Proposals Issued: August 7, 2026
Proposal Due: September 10, 2026 at 11:00AM CST

Table of Contents
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 3
SECTION 2: PROJECT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................... 3
Scope of Work ........................................................................................................................ 4
Project Schedule .................................................................................................................... 5
SECTION 3: FINAL DELIVERABLES ........................................................................................ 5
SECTION 4: PRICING AND FEES ............................................................................................. 6
SECTION 5: RFP SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS .................................................................. 6
SECTION 6: PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS .................................... 7
Project Understanding and Technical Approach: 40 Points .................................................... 8
Project Team and Firm Qualifications: 25 Points .................................................................... 8
Relevant Project Experience: 25 Points .................................................................................. 8
Budget: 10 Points ................................................................................................................... 8
SECTION 7: QUESTIONS/REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION ................................................ 8
SECTION 8: CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS ........................................................................ 8

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Coastal Waterways Inventory Project
Issued by: SMPDD
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, Inc. (SMPDD) is issuing this
Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide professional
services for a comprehensive coastal waterways inventory and dredging needs assessment for
non-federal waterways along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For the purposes of this RFP, non-
federal waterways refer to any historically maintained tidally-influenced, coastal channels,
bayous, canals, and other navigation corridors that are not federally maintained. The selected
proposer will evaluate existing channel conditions, identify maintenance dredging needs,
develop a geospatial inventory of coastal waterways, and assist the counties in obtaining
maintenance dredging permits, and authorization for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)
mitigation sites.
Mississippi's coastal waterways provide critical access for commercial fishing, recreational
boating, tourism, and emergency response. Many non-federal channels, bayous, and navigation
corridors experience recurring sedimentation that restricts navigation and requires periodic
maintenance dredging. However, a comprehensive inventory of these waterways, their existing
conditions, maintenance history, and long-term dredging needs has not been developed.
SMPDD is seeking a multidisciplinary consultant team with demonstrated expertise in
hydrographic surveying, geographic information systems (GIS), environmental permitting,
submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) assessment and management, and project management.
The selected consultant team will evaluate sediment accumulation and shoaling, assess
maintenance dredging requirements, perform SAV assessments, compile data into a GIS-based
waterways inventory, and develop recommendations for future dredging priorities.
Key objectives of this project are to establish a coordinated maintenance dredging program by
assisting Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties in obtaining county-wide, ten-year
maintenance dredging permits, as well as the necessary authorizations for at least three (3)
SAV mitigation sites across the Coast.
The completed inventory, assessment, and permitting documentation will provide local
governments with a long-term planning tool for prioritizing maintenance dredging.
SECTION 2: PROJECT OVERVIEW
The project goal is to assess current navigation conditions in coastal Mississippi waterways to
identify areas where sediment accumulation compromises vessel access and infrastructure
safety, develop a comprehensive coastal waterways inventory that catalogs rivers, bayous,
channels, and harbor access points, including their depths, widths, and dredging history,
evaluate submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) presence and health to ensure dredging and
sediment management practices support ecological integrity, provide data-driven
recommendations for prioritizing maintenance dredging, sediment placement and SAV
mitigation that balances navigation needs, coastal restoration, and wetland protection, and
enhance coastal resilience by linking navigation infrastructure planning to wetland and estuarine
ecosystem health supporting storm surge mitigation and hurricane protection.

The selected team will collaborate with SMPDD and the coastal communities to create a
comprehensive coastal waterways inventory and dredging needs assessment for Hancock,
Harrison, and Jackson Counties. A prime consultant will lead a multidisciplinary team that may
include, but not be limited to: engineers, surveyors, GIS specialists, environmental scientists,
and permitting specialists. The team should include a minimum of four (4) firms (including the
prime and subcontractors) of substantial contribution, demonstrate local area knowledge and
expertise coupled with regional scale and depth necessary to complete the project in a timely
and effective manner.
The project will compile existing information, perform hydrographic and SAV assessments,
evaluate shoreline shoaling, estimate maintenance dredging needs, and prioritize waterway
dredging based on navigation importance, public safety, economic value, and maintenance
frequency. The project will also develop a long-term permitting strategy. The consultant team
will prepare permit application packages and coordinate with federal and state resource
agencies to obtain ten-year maintenance dredging permits for each coastal county, and SAV
mitigation site authorization for at least three (3) sites.
Scope of Work
1. Project Management and Coordination: The prime consultant shall provide overall project
management, quality assurance/quality control, schedule management, and administration
of all subcontractors. The prime consultant shall serve as the primary point of contact and
be responsible for coordinating all project activities and deliverables.
2. Dredging Needs Assessment: The team shall conduct field investigations, as necessary,
to evaluate existing channel conditions of non-federal navigation waterways throughout
Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties. The team shall analyze bathymetric survey data,
historic dredging records, existing channel conditions, and other available information to
identify current and future maintenance dredging needs. The assessment shall identify
critical shoaling areas, estimate maintenance dredging requirements, evaluate maintenance
frequency, and prioritize waterways requiring immediate or periodic maintenance based on
navigation importance, public safety, and operational needs. Please discuss in your
proposal any additional investigations required to determine the dredging needs.
3. Coastal Waterways Inventory: The consultant shall develop a comprehensive geospatial
inventory of non-federal waterways throughout Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
For each waterway, the inventory must include existing channel depths, sediment
accumulation rates, historic dredging records, existing permits, municipal maintenance data,
estimated dredging needs, and maintenance priority rankings. The inventory shall be
delivered in a fully editable GIS format compatible with ESRI software.
4. SAV Assessment: The consultant shall evaluate the presence, distribution, and condition of
SAV within the project areas to support the acquisition of ten-year maintenance dredging
permits and permits required for SAV mitigation sites. The assessment shall include the data
collection, mapping, and documentation necessary to satisfy applicable permitting
requirements.
5. Final Report: The consultant shall prepare a draft report documenting the results of the field
surveys, dredging needs assessment, and coastal waterways inventory. The draft report
shall include recommendations for maintenance dredging priorities and an implementation
plan for future maintenance activities. The draft report shall be submitted to SMPDD and

participating counties for review and comment. The consultant shall incorporate or otherwise
address comments received and submit a final report reflecting the revisions.
6. Maintenance Dredging Permitting: The consultant shall coordinate with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and other applicable federal and state regulatory agencies and perform
all services, including preparation, submission, and revision of permitting applications and
responses to agency comments or requests for additional information, required to obtain
final permitting determinations for county-wide, ten-year maintenance dredging permits for
eligible waterways within Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
7. SAV Mitigation Site Authorization: The consultant shall coordinate with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and other applicable federal and state regulatory agencies and perform
all services required, including preparation, submission, and revision of permitting
applications and responses to agency comments or requests for additional information, to
secure authorization for at least three (3) SAV mitigation sites located across the Coast.
Project Schedule
SMPDD anticipates that the dredging needs assessment, coastal waterways inventory, SAV
assessment and final report will be completed within 12 months of contract execution. SMPDD
anticipates that the maintenance dredging permitting and SAV mitigation site authorization will
be completed within 24 months of contract execution. SMPDD recognizes that the consultants
may structure their process differently; however, SMPDD expects a clear project schedule,
milestone dates, and a plan that ensures all deliverables will be completed within 24 months of
contract execution.
SECTION 3: FINAL DELIVERABLES
Deliverables for the project include:
1. Coastal waterways inventory and dredging recommendations. The final coastal
waterways inventory shall be delivered to SMPDD in GIS file formats compatible with
ESRI software. The final report, maps, engineering analyses, and all supporting work
products shall be provided electronically in PDF format. In addition, access to any
background information, data, field survey data, and other information compiled over the
course of the project must be provided without restriction.
2. Ten-year maintenance dredging permits for Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson
Counties. The consultant shall perform all services required to obtain final permitting
determinations for ten-year maintenance dredging permits for Hancock, Harrison, and
Jackson Counties that include all eligible waterways. The required deliverable shall be a
final written determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approving or denying
each requested permit. Submitting a permit application alone shall not satisfy the
requirement of this task.
3. Permitted SAV Mitigation Sites: The consultant shall perform all services required to
obtain final permitting determinations for SAV mitigation sites, strategically located
across the coast. A minimum of three (3) approved sites is expected. The required
deliverable shall be a final written determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
approving or denying each requested permit. Submitting a permit application alone shall
not satisfy the requirement of this task.
Once completed and delivered to SMPDD, the final products and all related work materials,
documents, files, data, and information become the sole and exclusive property of SMPDD,

including all underlying intellectual property rights. SMPDD may, at its sole discretion, copy,
post electronically, distribute, disseminate, and/or share the final report and any associated
materials with anyone SMPDD deems fit, including but not limited to federal, state, county, and
local government entities, agencies, partners, and the general public. SMPDD may do so
through any means and in any form of media. Work products must be provided to SMPDD in
formats compatible with applicable Microsoft Suite software and Adobe PDF software. All GIS
data must be delivered in industry-standard, fully editable formats compatible with ESRI
software.
SECTION 4: PRICING AND FEES
Proposals shall include a detailed cost breakdown of all anticipated project expenses, including
labor rates, travel, per diem, and any other applicable costs. The proposal shall also include a
breakdown of anticipated costs by task as determined by the proposers' technical approach. At
a minimum, the cost proposal shall separately identify labor costs, direct/reimbursable
expenses, subconsultant costs, travel expenses, and any optional services.
This RFP does not commit SMPDD to pay for any direct and/or indirect costs incurred in the
preparation or presentation of a response. All finalist(s) shall pay their own costs in preparing
for, traveling to, and attending interviews.
SMPDD reserves the right to negotiate the final fee prior to recommending any firm for a
contract. SMPDD reserves the right to use all pertinent information (also learned from sources
other than disclosed in the RFP process) that might affect SMPDD's judgment as to the
appropriateness of an award to the best evaluated proposer. SMPDD is not obligated to accept
the proposed fees submitted by any respondent and reserves the right to negotiate pricing and
contract terms within its discretion.
SECTION 5: RFP SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
By submitting a proposal, the proposer acknowledges that it has received, reviewed, and relied
upon this RFP in preparing its submission.
An original and four (4) copies of the proposal shall be signed and submitted, along with a digital
copy of the proposal in PDF format on a USB flash drive, in a sealed envelope or package by
11:00am CST on September 10, 2026, to:
Request for Proposals - Coastal Waterways Inventory
Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District
10441 Corporate Drive, Suite 1
Gulfport, MS 39503
Timely submission of the proposal is the responsibility of the proposer. SMPDD will not be
responsible for delayed or lost mail received after the deadline. Proposals received after the
specified time shall be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened.
The proposal shall be limited to no more than a total of twenty-five (25) typed pages, including
content pages, supporting appendices, and resumes. The cover letter is not included in the 25-
page total. Paper size shall be 8 1/2" x 11". Text shall not be smaller than a font size of 11. Any
information contained on pages that exceed the page limit will not be evaluated. Proposers shall
submit the signed original and four (4) copies of the proposal, along with a digital copy of the
proposal in PDF format on a USB flash drive, in a sealed envelope or package to SMPDD on or

before the date and time specified. The original must be signed by an authorized representative
of the proposer.
All proposals shall include the following:
1. Cover Letter: Provide a brief statement of the team's interest in the project and a
narrative description of the project proposal. Include information on the qualifications of
the firm and why your team is best qualified.
2. Technical Approach: A description of the proposed methodology for completing the
scope of work, including field surveys, dredging needs assessment, coastal waterways
inventory, SAV assessments, reporting, and all permitting. Respondents should also
include a description of the quality assurance/quality control measures that will be used
to ensure accurate and timely completion of the project.
3. Project Team Makeup and Qualifications: Provide a list of team members who will be
directly involved in the project, including subconsultants, and provide a brief statement of
qualifications for all individuals to include credentials such as education, area of
expertise, years of service, and relevant work experience. Include an organizational
chart that identifies the project manager and the roles of each team member, including
sub-consultants. This should include identification of the geography of responsibility
and/or task responsibility of each team member, including sub-consultants.
4. Previous Experience with Projects Similar in Scope and Scale: Include descriptions
of at least three relevant projects that were completed by your team. Please include the
following related to the previous projects:
Name and location of project
Name of team member involved in the project
Brief description of the project, deliverables, and timeline
References: client name, contact person, title, phone number, and email address
Range of contract dollar value
5. Project Schedule: Provide a detailed project schedule that identifies major milestones,
deliverables, and anticipated completion dates. Include a timeline from contract
execution to final product delivery.
6. Project Budget: Include an overall budget and breakdown of work tasks with clear
descriptions of how the money will be allocated for this project. Provide the mark-up rate
for all reimbursable expenses, in any.
Emphasis will be placed upon selecting a qualified team under the procedures outlined below.
SECTION 6: PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Proposals that comply with the instructions set forth in this RFP will be evaluated by SMPDD
and its designated selection committee. SMPDD reserves the right to reject any and all
proposals. At its sole discretion, SMPDD may choose to waive non-material irregularities or
deviations from the RFP instructions.
Proposals will be evaluated using a weighted scoring method. The evaluation process may
include interviews and additional information meetings.

Project Understanding and Technical Approach: 40 Points
Understanding of Project Goals: Demonstrated understanding of the project's goals,
objectives, scope of work, and Coastal Mississippi's unique dredging challenges, and
ability to translate the RFP priorities into a cohesive plan.
Technical Approach: Quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology.
Project Management Approach: Effectiveness of the proposed project management
plan, including schedule, quality assurance/quality control, coordination with SMPDD,
local jurisdictions, regulatory agencies, and subconsultants, and ability to meet project
milestones and deliverables.
Project Team and Firm Qualifications: 25 Points
Project Team Qualifications: Qualifications and experience of key personnel of prime
contractor and subconsultants. The successful team is expected to have a high level of
familiarity with the communities in the project area.
Technical Capabilities: Demonstrated expertise in coastal dredging projects, SAV
surveying, hydrographic surveying, GIS, permitting, and project management.
Relevant Project Experience: 25 Points
Past Performance: Demonstrated experience successfully completing projects of similar
size, scope, and complexity.
Client References: Quality of references based on previous performance, including
communication, responsiveness, technical competence, and ability to deliver projects on
schedule and within budget.
Budget: 10 Points
Fee Proposal: Reasonableness and competitiveness of the proposed fee relative to the
scope of work and technical approach.
Total Available Points: 100 Points
SECTION 7: QUESTIONS/REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
All questions about this RFP must be submitted via email to kgunter@smpdd.com no later than
5:00pm CST on August 21, 2026. Answers to the questions will be posted to the SMPDD
website at https://smpdd.com/rfp_publicnotice/ no later than August 28, 2026. Proposers are
cautioned that any statements made by any person shall not be relied upon unless
subsequently ratified by a formal written response to the RFQ, such as an amendment or
Response to Inquiries document.
SECTION 8: CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS
The project is funded through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as GOMESA
Project 3000044112. The successful Proposer shall comply with all 2 CFR 200 requirements
and comply with all applicable provisions of Section 70914 of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Acts (Pub. L. 117-58), also known as the Build America Buy America Act.
SMPDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and hereby notifies that all Proposers will be
afforded the full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this advertisement for proposals
and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, disability, sexual preference, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status
in consideration for an award.

SMPDD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any non-material irregularities
or information in any RFP, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items. SMPDD
further reserves the right to modify or amend this RFP, revise the RFP schedule as necessary,
and withdraw or cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award. SMPDD assumes no
responsibility or liability for costs incurred by Proposers in response to this RFP or in responding
to any further request for interviews, additional data, etc. SMPDD reserves the right to conduct
interviews with some or all proposers within its discretion. SMPDD reserves the right to not
answer questions in its sole discretion, and to waive any and all formalities pertaining to the
request and/or proposals, and to reject any and all proposals. SMPDD further reserves the right
to negotiate with multiple proposers simultaneously, irrespective of the total scores of the
evaluation, and to contract with multiple proposers.