Coastal Conservancy Feasibility Study

Background
The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), through its Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSD), is seeking proposals for a feasibility study to evaluate the establishment of a Hawaiʻi-specific 'coastal conservancy-type' program. This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly sea level rise, which threatens coastal ecosystems, cultural resources, and human communities. The study is co-funded by OPSD and the City & County of Honolulu's Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (OCCSR). The goal is to analyze technical, legal, financial, and administrative aspects related to implementing proactive coastal adaptation and restoration projects.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive feasibility study that includes:
1) Identifying organizations in other jurisdictions with similar functions to compile lessons learned;
2) Analyzing potential roles for state and local entities;
3) Conducting stakeholder outreach through interviews and focus groups;
4) Preparing a comprehensive feasibility report analyzing costs and benefits;
5) Providing stakeholder-vetted recommendations including policy, technical, legal aspects, organizational structure, funding strategies;
6) Presenting findings to project managers. The total funding for this project shall not exceed $170,000.00 inclusive of State General Excise Tax (GET).

Period of Performance
The contract period will commence upon award and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2027. A possible extension of up to 10 months is contingent upon STATE approval.

Place of Performance
The work will primarily be conducted in Hawaiʻi, with specific locations determined based on stakeholder engagement activities.

Bidder Requirements
Offerors must demonstrate experience in providing consultant services related to shoreline management and coastal hazards. Familiarity with Hawaiʻi’s land use laws and coastal management frameworks is essential. The contractor should have expertise in operations for public programs/entities and funding strategies for large-scale projects.