Chapter NR 747

NR 747.67(2) (2) Period of disqualification. The period of disqualification shall be 2 rounds of public bidding for the first disqualification, 4 rounds for the second disqualification, and 6 rounds for any subsequent disqualification.

NR 747.67 Note Note: The department may consider disqualification from public bidding as a contributing factor when applying other disciplinary actions to any individual or firm.

NR 747.67(3) (3) Written notice of disqualification. The department shall provide written notification to any individual or firm disqualified from submitting bids. The notification shall specify the reasons for the disqualification, the period of the disqualification, the consequence under s. NR 747.69 that post-bidding contracts at other sites may not be executed, and the right to protest or appeal the department’s decision.

NR 747.67(4) (4) Corrective action by disqualified individual or firm. The department may require an individual or firm that has previously been disqualified to post a fidelity, surety, or performance bond or to take other corrective action specified by the department, to protect owners or operators and the PECFA fund from failure to carry out the work specified in the public bidding process in s. NR 747.68.

NR 747.67(5) (5) Protests and appeals by disqualified individuals or firms. An individual or firm that receives a notice of disqualification may protest the disqualification. The individual or firm shall file a written protest with the director of the bureau of PECFA no later than 5 business days after issuance of the notice in sub. (3). The filing shall include all of the reasons for the protest. Any reason not listed for the protest shall be deemed waived. The director or the director’s designee may resolve the protest by either upholding the department’s determination or by removing a disqualification, and shall issue a written decision no later than 5 business days after receiving the protest. A protestor may file a written appeal of the decision of the bureau director or designee, to the administrator of the environmental and regulatory services division, no later than 5 days after issuance of the decision, provided the protestor alleges a violation of s. 292.63, Stats., or of this chapter. The administrator or designee shall resolve the appeal without hearing and issue a written decision no later than 5 business days after receiving the appeal. The decision on the appeal shall be mailed or otherwise furnished to the protestor. In the event of the filing of a timely appeal under this subsection, the department may not proceed further with disqualifying an individual or firm from public bidding until a decision is issued on the appeal.

NR 747.67 History History: CR 04-058: cr. Register February 2006 No. 602, eff. 5-1-06; correction in (1) (a) 4., 6., 7., (3), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; corrections in (1) (a) 3., 4., 6., 7., (3), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register October 2013 No. 694.

NR 747.68 NR 747.68 Competitive public bidding process.

NR 747.68(1) (1) Publishing the request for bids. The department shall post a request for bids on the department’s Internet Web site.

NR 747.68(2) (2) Submitting bids. Firms submitting public bids in response to the bid specifications shall comply with all of the following:

NR 747.68(2)(a) (a) Bidders shall submit bids in a format prescribed by the department.

NR 747.68(2)(b) (b) Bidders shall submit bids so that the bids are received by the department no later than 4:00 p.m. on the bid-end date listed in the bid specifications.

NR 747.68(3) (3) Evaluating bids.

NR 747.68(3)(a) (a) The department may not consider any late bids. The department shall rank all remaining bids solely on the basis of cost, in ascending order from the least costly to the most costly. The department shall then evaluate only the bid containing the least costly proposal, to determine if all requirements of the bid specifications will be met, if the remedial strategy is appropriate to the geologic setting, and if the bid is likely to establish an amount to sufficiently fund the activities and outcome objective contained in the bid specifications. The department shall continue the evaluation process until the least costly qualified bid is identified.

NR 747.68 Note Note: As established in s. 292.63 (3) (cp) 1., Stats., the purpose of the least costly qualified bid is to assist the department in making a determination of the least costly method of remedial action. See sub. (7) for further information about that determination.

NR 747.68(3)(b) (b) The department shall reserve the right to reject any or all bids.

NR 747.68(4) (4) Notice of disqualified bid. The department shall provide written notification to any individual or firm that submitted a disqualified bid. The notification shall specify the reasons for the disqualification, and the right to protest or appeal the department’s decision.

NR 747.68(5) (5) Notice of intent. The department shall announce its intent to select the least costly qualified bid to assist in determining the least costly method of remedial action or a cap for a defined scope of work. The department shall send the announcement in writing to the responsible party and shall post the announcement on its Internet Web site. The announcement shall identify the bid the department has determined to be the least costly qualified bid. The announcement shall identify all low bids that have been disqualified. The announcement shall be provided at least 11 business days prior to the determination of the least costly method or the determination of a cap.

NR 747.68(6) (6) Protests and appeals. A responsible party or a bidder may protest the department’s selection and use of the least costly qualified bid to assist in making the determination in sub. (7). The protestor shall file a written protest with the director of the bureau of PECFA no later than 10 business days after issuance of the notice in sub. (4) or (5), whichever is later. The filing shall include all of the reasons for the protest. Any reason not listed for the protest shall be deemed waived. The director or the director’s designee may resolve the protest by upholding the department’s determination, by removing a disqualification, or by correcting an error in determining the cost contained in a bid, and shall issue a written decision no later than 5 business days after receiving the protest. A protestor may file a written appeal of the decision of the bureau director or designee, to the administrator of the environmental and regulatory services division, no later than 5 days after issuance of the decision, provided the protestor alleges a violation of s. 292.63, Stats., or of this chapter. The administrator or designee shall resolve the appeal without hearing and issue a written decision no later than 5 business days after receiving the appeal. The decision on the appeal shall be mailed or otherwise furnished to the protestor. In the event of the filing of a timely protest or appeal, the department may not proceed further with making the determination in sub. (7) until a decision is issued on the protest or appeal.

NR 747.68(7) (7) Determining the least costly method of remedial action, or the cap for a defined scope of work.

NR 747.68(7)(a) (a) The least costly method of remedial action or the cap for a defined scope of work shall be determined according to pars. (b) or (c).

NR 747.68(7)(b) (b) For occurrences under the direction of the department, the department shall consider the least costly qualified bid identified under sub. (3) in determining the least costly method of remedial action or the cap for a defined scope of work. No later than 10 business days after making its decision, the department shall notify the responsible party of the department’s determination of the least costly method of remedial action or the cap for a defined scope of work, and shall specify the maximum amount that will be reimbursed.

NR 747.68(7)(c) (c) For occurrences under the direction of the department, the department shall consider the least costly qualified bid identified under sub. (3) in determining the least costly method of remedial action or the cap for a defined scope of work. No later than 10 business days after making the decision, the department shall notify the responsible party of the department’s determination of the least costly method of remedial action or the cap for a defined scope of work, and shall specify the maximum amount that will be reimbursed.

NR 747.68(7)(d) (d)

NR 747.68(7)(d)1. 1. The determination of the least costly method of remediation or the determination of the cap for a defined scope of work shall establish the maximum costs eligible for reimbursement by the PECFA program, except where that maximum is increased under s. NR 747.70 (3).

NR 747.68 Note Note: See s. NR 747.71 (5) for special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.68(7)(d)2. 2. Any additional costs above the maximum established in subd. 1. or s. NR 747.70 (3) shall be the responsibility of the responsible party.

NR 747.68 History History: CR 04-058: cr. Register February 2006 No. 602, eff. 5-1-06; correction in (7) (d) 1., 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; corrections in (6), (7) (c), (d) 1., 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register October 2013 No. 684.

NR 747.69 NR 747.69 Responsible party’s contract with a bidder.

NR 747.69(1) (1) Contract with remediation consulting firm.

NR 747.69(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (c) or (d), no later than 60 days after the department issues the notification under s. NR 747.68 (7) (b) or (c), the responsible party shall execute a written contract with one of the firms that submitted a bid under s. NR 747.68 (2), to perform the work identified in the notification.

NR 747.69(1)(b) (b) Failure to execute the written contract as required in par. (a) shall result in ineligibility of any interest expenses incurred from the date of the notification under s. NR 747.68 (7) (b) or (c), until a contract is executed and work commences on the occurrence.

NR 747.69(1)(c) (c) This subsection does not apply to a bidder who becomes disqualified under s. NR 747.67, or where all subsequent work will not be submitted for reimbursement from the PECFA fund.

NR 747.69(1)(d) (d) The department may grant an extension of the 60-day period specified in par. (a) only after a claimant demonstrates that substantive efforts to obtain financing have been unsuccessful.

NR 747.69 Note Note: As established in s. NR 747.30 (2) (s) and (i), the department will not reimburse costs, including interest costs, for unauthorized services that are performed by any party other than a firm which submitted a bid under s. NR 747.68 (2) and which is contracted with under this section, if they are conducted after the qualified low bid is determined under s. NR 747.68 (3).

NR 747.69 Note Note: See sub. (4) for criteria that apply to an affected site after a bidder who submits the least costly qualified bid becomes disqualified, and no other bidder agrees to perform the work within the corresponding reimbursement cap.

NR 747.69(2) (2) Notification of consulting firm selection. No later than 14 days after any contract for remediation under sub. (1) is executed or terminated with the responsible party, the consulting firm shall submit to the department a notification form prescribed by the department.

NR 747.69(3) (3) Commencing work. The consulting firm that executes a contract under sub. (1) shall commence the work specified therein no later than 45 days after the contract is executed.

NR 747.69(4) (4) Rebidding or selection of next-lowest, qualified bid. Where a bidder who submitted the least costly qualified bid becomes disqualified under s. NR 747.67, and no other bidder agrees to perform the work identified in the notification under s. NR 747.68 (7) (b) or (c), within the reimbursement cap established under s. NR 747.68 (7), the department may either redirect the scope of work through the entire public bidding process in s. NR 747.68, or reinitiate that process at the bid evaluation stage in s. NR 747.68 (3).

NR 747.69 History History: CR 04-058: cr. Register February 2006 No. 602, eff. 5-1-06; correction in (1) (a), (b), (c), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; corrections in (1) (a) to (c), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register October 2013 No. 694.

NR 747.70 NR 747.70 Monitoring the progress of the scope of work in the bid.

NR 747.70(1) (1) Notification of progress.

NR 747.70(1)(a) (a) The consulting firm holding the contract required in s. NR 747.69 (1) (a) shall report to the department, in a format prescribed by the department, the progress toward completing the scope of work defined in the bid specifications, at each of the following points:

NR 747.70(1)(a)1. 1. Three months after entering into the contract.

NR 747.70(1)(a)2. 2. Twelve months after beginning the work in the successful bid, except as provided in subd. 6.

NR 747.70(1)(a)3. 3. Twelve months after submitting the previous report required under this subsection, except as provided in subd. 6.

NR 747.70(1)(a)4. 4. No later than 10 days after encountering a change in circumstances, as specified in sub. (3).

NR 747.70(1)(a)5. 5. At any other frequency directed by the department.

NR 747.70(1)(a)6. 6. No later than 30 days after completing the work.

NR 747.70(1)(b) (b) For occurrences that are not covered under s. 101.144 (2) (b), Stats., the department shall send the DNR a copy of the reports received under par. (a).

NR 747.70 Note Note: This paragraph is no longer effective and is subject to future repeal. Section 101.144, Stats., was repealed by 2013 Wis. Act 20. The “department” in this paragraph refers to the department of safety and professional services, which no longer has responsibility for occurrences under this section.

NR 747.70 Note Note: See s. NR 747.71 (5) for special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.70(2) (2) Failure to make progress. If the department determines that the consulting firm is failing to make adequate progress to complete the scope of work defined in the bid specifications for an amount not exceeding the reimbursement cap determined under s. NR 747.68 (7), the department shall so notify the responsible party and may reduce the reimbursement to accurately reflect the work completed.

NR 747.70 Note Note: See s. NR 747.71 (5) for special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.70(3) (3) Change of circumstances.

NR 747.70(3)(a) (a) For occurrences under the direction of the department, the department may review and modify the reimbursement cap, and may reinitiate the public bidding process in s. NR 747.68, based on a change in circumstances, if any of the following have occurred:

NR 747.70(3)(a)1. 1. Substantial new contamination has been discovered on the site. Substantial contamination must increase remediation costs to either obtain closure or complete a defined scope of work. New contamination is contamination not previously identified, such as contamination in a broader area or deeper depth than previously identified.

NR 747.70(3)(a)2. 2. Abnormal weather, previously unknown geologic conditions, or previously unknown subsurface structures have been encountered that directly affect the activities described in the least costly qualified bid identified under s. NR 747.68 (3).

NR 747.70(3)(b) (b) For occurrences under the direction of the department, the department may review and modify the reimbursement cap, and the department may reinitiate the public bidding process in s. NR 747.68, based on a change of circumstances, if any of the events in par. (a) 1. and 2. have occurred.

NR 747.70 Note Note: See s. NR 747.71 (5) for special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.70(4) (4) Disqualification from further work on a project.

NR 747.70(4)(a) (a) Grounds for disqualification. The department may disqualify any individual or firm from performing further work on a project, if the individual or firm has done any of the following:

NR 747.70(4)(a)1. 1. Failed to complete a substantive portion of the defined scope of work within the corresponding portion of the reimbursement cap.

NR 747.70(4)(a)2. 2. Failed to complete the scope of work in a bid in a timely manner.

NR 747.70(4)(a)3. 3. Failed to meet requirements in department rules on the project.

NR 747.70(4)(a)4. 4. Failed to do either of the following:

NR 747.70(4)(a)4.a. a. Pay subcontractors within a contracted timeline, after receiving payment for them.

NR 747.70(4)(a)4.b. b. Obtain lien waivers on or before the date of the final payment by the responsible party or the PECFA program, from all subcontractors paid under subd. 4. a.

NR 747.70(4)(a)5. 5. Failed to execute a contract with a responsible party as required in s. NR 747.69 (1).

NR 747.70(4)(a)6. 6. Failed to commence work within 45 days after executing a contract, as required in s. NR 747.69 (3).

NR 747.70 Note Note: See s. NR 747.71 (5) for special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.70(4)(b) (b) In making disqualification decisions under this section, the department shall only excuse failures that are shown to be due to factors which are beyond the control of a bidding individual or firm, such as a responsible party’s inability to obtain financing.

NR 747.70(4)(c) (c) Period of disqualification. The period of disqualification shall be 6 months for the first disqualification, 12 months for the second disqualification, and 24 months for any successive disqualification.

NR 747.70 Note Note: The department may consider disqualification from further work as a contributing factor when applying other disciplinary actions to any individual or firm.

NR 747.70(4)(d) (d) Written notice of disqualification. The department shall provide written notification to any individual or firm disqualified from performing further work on a project. The notification shall specify the reasons for the disqualification, the period of the disqualification, and the right to appeal the department’s decision. The notification shall inform the disqualified party that costs for any work on the occurrence during the disqualification, except as otherwise authorized by the department, will not be reimbursed.

NR 747.70(4)(e) (e) Appeals by disqualified individuals or firms.

NR 747.70(4)(e)1. 1. An individual or firm that receives a notice of disqualification under this section may appeal as provided in s. NR 747.53.

NR 747.70(4)(e)2. 2. The department shall hold a hearing for an appeal filed under subd. 1. no later than 30 days after receipt of the appeal.

NR 747.70(4)(f) (f) Rebidding or selection of next-lowest, qualified bid. Where an individual or firm has been disqualified under this section, the department may either redirect the scope of work through the entire public bidding process in s. NR 747.68, or reinitiate that process at the bid evaluation stage in s. NR 747.68 (3).

NR 747.70(4)(g) (g) Corrective action by disqualified individual or firm. The department may require an individual or firm that has previously been disqualified to take corrective action specified by the department, to protect owners or operators and the PECFA fund from failure to carry out the work specified in the public bidding process in s. NR 747.68.

NR 747.70 History History: CR 04-058: cr. Register February 2006 No. 602, eff. 5-1-06; correction in (1) (a), (2), (3) (a) (intro.), 2., (b), (4) (a) 5., 6., (e) 1., (f), (g) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; corrections in (1) (a) (intro.), (b), (2), (3) (a) (intro.), 2., (b), (4) (a) 3., 5., 6., (e) to (g) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register October 2013 No. 694.

NR 747.71 NR 747.71 Special requirements for existing sites.

NR 747.71(1) (1) Definition. For the purposes of this section, a site investigation in progress is any investigation that began but was not completed before May 1, 2006.

NR 747.71(2) (2) Notifications and initial investigation progress reports for investigations in progress. For site investigations in progress on May 1, 2006, the notification form in s. NR 747.60 (1) and the first investigation progress report under s. NR 747.62 for each occurrence shall be submitted no later than 60 days after that date.

NR 747.71(3) (3) Subsequent requirements. Upon submittal of the notification and report under sub. (2), all of the requirements in s. NR 747.62 shall apply, except the requirement for submitting the initial investigation progress report.

NR 747.71 Note Note: The department forms required in this chapter are available from the Wisconsin DNR, Bureau for Remediation & Redevelopment, P.O. Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921, or at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/brownfields/pecfa.html.

NR 747.71(4) (4) Occurrences with previously completed site investigations. An occurrence for which a site investigation was completed prior to May 1, 2006 shall be subject to the public bidding process in s. NR 747.68 when so determined by the department under s. NR 747.325 or 747.623.

NR 747.71(5) (5) Occurrences with reimbursement caps determined through previous public bidding. For occurrences with reimbursements caps determined through the public bidding process under s. 292.63 (3) (cp), Stats., prior to May 1, 2006, all of the requirements in s. NR 747.70 shall apply, except as follows:

NR 747.71(5)(a) (a) The consulting firm performing the work in the bid specifications shall submit the initial progress report required in s. NR 747.70 (1) (a) 1. 3 months after May 1, 2006.

NR 747.71(5)(b) (b) The consulting firm performing the work in the bid specifications shall submit the progress report required in s. NR 747.70 (1) (a) 2. 12 months after May 1, 2006.