Project Information

Bid Title

Consultant Services for Island County's On-site Sewage System

Issuing Agency

Island County

Location

Washington

Published Date

Feb 25, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 16, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

PH02182026

Original Source

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Project Description

Bid Number:	PH02182026
Bid Title:	Consultant Services for Island County's On-site Sewage System
Category:	Public Health
Status:	Open

Description: Island County Public Health (ICPH) seeks proposals from qualified consultants to provide expert technical analysis, facilitate related stakeholder engagement, and complete a comprehensive update of the Island County On-site Sewage System (OSS) code (ICC 8.07D) and the county's Local Management Plan (LMP). Publication Date/Time: 2/24/2026 5:00 PM Closing Date/Time: 3/16/2026 4:30 PM Related Documents: RFP OSS _ LMP Report

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Request for Proposals (RFP)

Consultant Services for Island County's On-site Sewage System (OSS) Code and

Local Management Plan (LMP) Update

Date of Issuance: February 25th, 2026

Proposal Deadline: March 16th, 2026, 4:00 PM PDT

Contact: Melissa Overbury, Office Lead, Island County Public Health

Email: m.overbury@islandcountywa.gov

Phone: (360) 678-7860

Total project funding: $125,000

1. Introduction and Project Background

Island County Public Health (ICPH) seeks proposals from qualified consultants to provide expert

technical analysis, facilitate related stakeholder engagement, and complete a comprehensive update of

the Island County On-site Sewage System (OSS) code (ICC 8.07D) and the county's Local Management

Plan (LMP).

Recent revisions to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 246-272A) necessitate an update to our

local OSS code. Concurrently, our LMP, last updated in 2007, requires significant revision to address

nearly two decades of regulatory changes, population growth, development, and environmental shifts

like sea level rise and increase in nonpoint source pollution impacting shellfish beds and marine

environments. Island County also recently completed a study of innovative septic solutions. Findings

show that creating local community on-site standards and decoupling from state LOSS standards like

other Puget Sound counties would incentivize local development.

ICPH staff will lead the overall project management and the formal adoption process. The selected

consultant will draft both the new OSS code and the new LMP and will support a targeted stakeholder

engagement process to ensure the documents are aligned, effective, and meet state regulations and

local priorities. This approach will be protective of public health and the vital marine ecosystems of

Puget Sound, particularly the extensive shellfish beds surrounding Whidbey and Camano Islands.

2. Scope of Work

Scope of Work: The selected consultant will author both the new OSS code and LMP, supported by

technical analysis and a strategic stakeholder engagement approach.

Key Consultant Tasks:

• Code and Plan Analysis: Conduct a thorough review of the existing Island County OSS code and

the 2007 LMP. Identify gaps, conflicts, and areas requiring updates based on the new WAC 246-

272A, current scientific data, and local conditions.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Design and facilitate a targeted stakeholder engagement process

(e.g., a limited series of workshops) with key partners (including ICPH staff, Planning & Public

Works staff, local OSS professionals, developers, and community groups). The purpose of this

engagement is to gather initial input and to review and refine the draft documents.

• Drafting the OSS Code: Lead the drafting of the updated Island County OSS code. The draft code

must align with WAC 246-272A, local planning codes, address local needs, and incorporate

feedback from the technical analysis and stakeholder engagement.

• Drafting the Local Management Plan (LMP): Lead the drafting of the new LMP, ensuring it

aligns with the new code and accurately reflects current conditions (e.g., shellfish bed locations),

addresses future challenges (e.g., sea level rise), and provides a clear framework for

implementation. The LMP must also incorporate recommendations related to innovative and

alternative systems, including guidance for local community on-site standards and options for

decoupling from state LOSS standards.

Note on County Responsibilities: ICPH staff will be responsible for overall project management

(including contract oversight and internal review), providing all necessary data and background

documents, and leading the final public comment period and formal adoption process for both

documents, including all presentations to the Board of Health.

3. Expected Outcomes & Deliverables: The primary outcome of the consultant's work is to provide ICPH

with complete, stakeholder-vetted drafts of both the OSS code and the LMP.

Key Consultant Deliverables:

• A brief Project Work Plan confirming the project timeline and communication plan.

• A Stakeholder Engagement Plan outlining the proposed strategy and number of meetings.

• Summaries of all engagement activities and feedback received.

• A complete draft of the updated Island County OSS Code (in MS Word format).

• A complete draft of the updated Local Management Plan (LMP) (in MS Word format).

4. Period of Performance The period of performance for this contract is expected to be from April 1,

2026, to June 1, 2027. The final Technical Recommendations Report must be delivered by the end of this

period.

5. Submission Requirements

Proposals must be submitted electronically to m.overbury@islandcountywa.gov by 4:00 PM PDT on

March 16th, 2026. Please include the following:

• Cover Letter: Introduce your firm and your understanding of this comprehensive code and plan

development role.

• Scope of Work Narrative (Max 4 pages): Describe your proposed approach to the analysis, code

and LMP drafting, and your strategy for stakeholder engagement. To be considered, proposals

must clearly state the number of stakeholder meetings and draft/revision cycles for each

document (code and LMP) that are included in the proposed budget.

• Project Team: Identify the key personnel who will work on this project, including their roles,

qualifications, and relevant experience with WAC 246-272A and Washington State OSS code.

• Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed, task-based budget. Proposals should not exceed a total of

$125,000.

6. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the Project and Proposed Approach (40%): Demonstrated understanding of

the technical requirements, a clear methodology for code and LMP drafting, and a well-defined,

efficient plan for stakeholder engagement.

• Qualifications and Experience of Project Team (40%): Expertise and direct experience with WAC

246-272A, OSS code drafting, and LMP drafting in Washington State. Experience considering and

crosswalking multiple relevant plans and documents to balance ecosystem, human health, and

natural resources protection (i.e. salmon recovery plans, comprehensive plans, shoreline

management plans, vital sign indicators, critical areas and sensitive habitats, action agenda, etc.)

• Proposed Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (20%): Clarity, completeness, and competitiveness of

the proposed budget. Proposals that demonstrate the most value within the budget constraints

will be favored.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 237110Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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