DECEMBER 15, 2025
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
GRANT SPECIALIST
START DATE: JANUARY 18, 2026
END DATE: AUGUST 10, 2026
Download the RFP document in PDF format here.
Request for Proposals
The Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) is soliciting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Consultant Support in the following areas:
Grant Writing Specialist
The Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) was created by Intergovernmental Agreement under Illinois State Statue 30 ILCS 350/3, and thus is an instrumentality of local government and a unit of local government as defined by 2 CFR 200.64 for the purposes of funding through a Section 12.607 Grant.
Background of Savanna Army Depot and the LRA
The Savanna Army Depot Activity (SVDA) site is a 13,062 acre installation located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, spanning Carroll and Jo Daviess Counties, and approximately 7 miles north of Savanna, Illinois.
The property was purchased by the U.S. Army in 1917 and was used as a proof and test facility for artillery guns and ammunition. Operations at the installation expanded with the addition of ordnance storage facilities and facilities for loading and renovating shells and bombs. In 1972, ammunition maintenance and supply operations were reduced.
The last mission of the installation was to receive, store, issue and demilitarize conventional ammunition and general supplies. In addition, the depot was responsible for manufacturing, procuring, and maintaining ammunition peculiar equipment (APE) and repair parts for worldwide U. S. Department of Defense (DOD) support. It also provided ammunition and explosive quality assurance (QA) for conventional ammunition, guided missiles, large rockets, ammunition components, explosives, and packing material.
The SVDA was designated a National Priorities Listing (NPL) site July 1987.
SVDA was selected for closure as part of the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and was officially closed March 18, 2000.
An Intergovernmental Agreement between Carroll and Jo Daviess counties established the Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) in 1995. The LRA completed their Reuse Plan and Implementation Strategy in 1997 and submitted the plan as part of a no-cost economic development conveyance (EDC) in 1998, which was rejected.
A Supplemental Business Plan and EDC application were submitted in 1999. During this process, the planning LRA transitioned to an implementing LRA. The LRA Board of Directors is comprised of 8 members and since the property spans two counties (Carroll and Jo Daviess), 4 members are appointed by the Carroll County Board Chairman and 4 members are appointed by the Jo Daviess County Chairman.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Army and the LRA for approximately 3,000 acres under a no-cost EDC was finalized in August 2003, resulting in the first transfer of property. The MOA lists the date of final transfer as no later than the end of FY07, subject to completion of the required environmental remediation activities.
The Army still holds approximately 1,500 acres, in various stages of cleanup, which will be transferred to the LRA. The LRA is funded solely by the sale and lease of property and has been forced to divert funds for major infrastructure improvements and redevelopment to simply maintaining property and utilities (water/sewer) along with minimal staffing. The most recent transfer schedule indicates the final transfer date of all remaining property by 2028. A majority of the property in the MOA is either under a lease-purchase agreement with developers or businesses, OR, has already transferred from the LRA by deed based on a business plan that included job creation.
The remaining 10,062 acres are not a part of the MOA between the Army and the LRA and will be transferred from the Army as follows: 9,000 + acres are being transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for uses consistent with its mission and all 9,000 + acres have been added to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge and identified as the Lost Mound Unit. Stakeholders for the remaining land are the United States Corp of Engineers (COE) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
The LRA completed an Updated Reuse and Business Plan (2018) as well as a Market Analysis for Barge Feasibility. A recommendation from that plan was to investigate the ability to load and unload barges at the facility.
During the process of completing the Updated Reuse and Business Plan, the Department of the Army published a Notice of Excess Property for a 132-acre parcel (20) that would provide direct access to the backwaters of the Mississippi River. The LRA performed the required outreach process and has recently completed a Reuse Plan for Parcel 20. On January 13, 2026, the Department of the Army will be presenting the Draft Environmental Assessment as part of the NEPA process for transfer.
The Department of the Army is also currently performing a Site Wide Investigation for perfluorinates.
Proposal Guidelines
This RFP represents the requirements for an open and competitive process. Proposals will be accepted until 4:30 pm CST January 5, 2026. Any proposals received after this date and time will be returned to the sender. All proposals must be signed by an official agent or representative of the firm submitting the proposal.
All costs must be itemized to include an explanation of all fees and costs.
Contract terms and conditions will be negotiated upon selection of the successful bidder(s). All contractual terms and conditions will be subject to review by the LRA legal department and will include scope, budget, schedule, and other necessary items pertaining to the project.
Project Purpose and Description
The LRA is seeking Consultant Support in the following area(s), which will assist with the redevelopment of the Savanna Depot Park:
Grant Writing Specialist
The LRA is seeking a Grant Writing specialist to research, prepare, submit, and administer infrastructure related grants, ie. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and specifically targeting preparation and completion of a U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) application for future submittal.
Selected consultant shall provide a dynamic document throughout the contract with recommendations for additional studies required to support a competitive PIDP application.
Deliverable: Completed application package and reference document with pertinent application information.
RFP and Project Timeline
All proposals in response to the RFP are due no later than January 5, 2026
If additional information or discussions are needed with any bidders, the bidders will be notified.
The selection decision for the winning bidder will be made between January 7, 2026 – January 15, 2026.
Upon notification, the contract negotiation with the winning bidder will begin immediately. Contract negotiations will be completed by January 18, 2026
Project Timeline: Project ends August 10, 2026
Proposal Instructions
Proposals shall be clearly labeled: GRANT SPECIALIST
To be considered, please include the following:
1 unbound copy
Digital copy in PDF format emailed to mara@savannaindustrialpark.org
The proposal shall be submitted by U.S. Mail, courier or direct delivery to the address below no later than 4:30 p.m. (CST) January 5, 2026.
Jo-Carroll Depot LRA Savanna Industrial Park 3651 Crim Drive
Savanna, IL 61074
Proposals must be valid for 100 days after submittal.
Proposals should provide complete details concerning the firm's ability to meet the requirements of this RFP.
Proposals should indicate whether the firm has previous experience with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and reference all MARAD grant applications packages that have been submitted in the past or other grant submittals or awards that may be relevant.
The LRA reserves the right to waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals, to reject any and all proposals, and to select the most responsive proposal that best meets the needs of the LRA.
Proposal Format
The following information must be supplied as part of a complete proposal:
A narrative overview of the approach the firm will take to accomplish this project.
A discussion of the work plan proposed by the firm to accomplish each of the tasks they are proposing as described in this RFP. The work plan will be a chronological discussion of the process that the firm considers necessary to accomplish the task as outlined. The discussion should clarify the team member assignments and specialties, individual roles, and anticipated contribution to the overall effort.
A narrative description of any changes or additions the firm would recommend to the scope of work outlined in this RFP that it believes will strengthen the overall project.
Clear designation of optional or out-of-scope tasks that are deemed necessary OR optional by the firm.
A list of similar projects completed and/or currently being performed, together with a brief description of the projects, the names of employees and/or subcontractors who worked or are working on the project, and the estimated completion dates of current projects.
A fee schedule to include all tasks and subtasks that the firm proposes within the work plan. The fee schedule shall depict the level of work effort for each task and subtask in total person hours, as well as lump sum cost for each task and subtask. The project lump sum shall be determined as the sum of the fee for each project task. Each task and subtask cost shall include reimbursable expenses associated with that task.
Accommodations may be made to reallocate funds between tasks and subtasks, upon the sole discretion of the LRA, should one portion be more complicated than anticipated while another portion be less complicated than anticipated.
An hourly rate schedule for each project team member.
A reimbursable expense schedule that depicts allowances, direct costs and mark-up if any. The hourly rate and reimbursable expense schedule will be used to negotiate out of scope tasks, if warranted.
Withdrawal of Proposals
Proposals may be withdrawn, by written (including email) request received from the consultant's signatory authority, by January 6, 2026, 4:30 p.m. CST.
The consultant agrees to furnish the services as specified to the LRA at the prices and with the warranties/guarantees represented for the period.
Modifications
Any firm may modify their proposal by registered communication at any time prior to the scheduled closing time for receipt of proposals, provided such communication is received prior to the closing time. The communications should not reveal the proposed price but should provide the addition or subtraction of other modifications so that the final price or terms will not be known until the sealed proposal is opened.
Acceptance or Rejection of Proposals
The LRA will accept the proposal which, in its estimation, will best serve the interests of the LRA. The LRA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as the result of this RFP, to negotiate with all qualified sources, and/or cancel all or part of this RFP at any time. Until such time as a contract is executed with the successful bidder, the LRA may cancel all or any part of the RFP. This RFP does not commit the LRA to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any proposal that is late, incomplete, obscure, or irregular may be rejected; any proposal having reassures or corrections in the proposal may be rejected; any proposal accompanied with an insufficient or irregular proposal guarantee may be rejected. Any evidence of collusion between proposers may constitute a cause for rejection of any proposals so affected.
Interpretations
No oral interpretations shall be made to any proposer as to the meaning of any of the proposal documents. Every request for an interpretation shall be made in writing and addressed to the LRA. Any and all such interpretations and addenda will be sent to all prospective proposers. Failure of any proposer to receive any such addendum or interpretation shall not relieve such proposer from any obligation under its proposal as submitted. All addenda so issued shall become as much a part of the RFP document as if bound therein.
Nondiscrimination
The successful proposer agrees that in performing the work called for by this proposal and in securing and supplying materials, proposer will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, national origin, or ancestry unless the reasonable demands of employment are such that they cannot be met by a person with a particular physical or mental handicap.
Insurance Requirements
The successful proposer shall agree to defend, indemnify and hold the LRA harmless from all losses, damages and costs which arise because of the performance of this agreement, to the extent it is caused by the Contractor, its subcontractor or anyone for whose act it may be liable. The obligation to indemnify shall not be limited by the availability of insurance. The firm shall be responsible for any and all injury or damage as result of any services rendered under the terms and conditions of the contract.
The firm also agrees to hold the LRA harmless for any negligent act or omission committed by any subcontractor or other person employed by, under the supervision of, the firm under the terms of the contract.
The successful proposer, before signing the contract, shall produce evidence satisfactory to the LRA that it has secured all appropriate insurance for coverage of bodily or personal injury, death and property damage, protecting the proposer and naming the LRA as an additional insured for such claims, and also has secured Worker' Compensation Insurance conforming to the statutory requirements of the State of Illinois.
The firm shall also provide General Liability Insurance, covering both itself and sub-consultants, if any, the minimum amount of two million ($2,000,000) dollars (general aggregate) and one million ($1,000,000) dollars (each occurrence) for errors, omissions and negligence.
All certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be provided to the LRA for review prior to the execution of the contract. All certificates of insurances shall provide that the LRA will receive a 30-day notice in advance of the cancellation of any policy.
Selection Criteria
Members of the LRA Board of Directors and staff will review submissions, rank the proposals and may hold interviews, if needed. LRA is not bound by the lowest cost proposal, but may accept the proposal that is considered the best value for the LRA. LRA will negotiate terms for a contract to complete the tasks with the top ranked proposer. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, negotiations with that firm will be suspended and negotiations opened with a second firm.
Evaluations will be based on criteria outline which may be weighted by LRA in a manner it deems appropriate. All proposals will be evaluated using the same criteria. The criteria used will be:
Qualifications
Experience with BRAC closures and redevelopment, maritime infrastructure, inland waterways transportation
Proposed Scope
Fully meets and effectively communicates assessment of the scope
LRA will consider all the relevant material submitted by each firm, and other relevant material it may otherwise obtain, to determine whether the firm is capable of providing services of the type and scope specific to the RFP.
Contract Type
This project will be funded through a grant from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The LRA will evaluate, select, execute and manage the successful firm's contract. A contract between the LRA and the successful bidder will be subject to the requirements of OLDCC and the LRA. The award and performance of this contract shall be in accordance with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations as may be applicable.
Procurement Requirement
All procurement for contractual services will be in accordance with applicable State and local laws and regulations, and applicable Federal laws and standards in accordance with the procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR 200, Uniformed Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Contractor selection criteria will be included in any RFP that is issued and cost will be a factor in selection.