Friday, March 13, 2020

Michigan DNR invites proposals for carbon credit market consultant, marketing and brokerage services  

As part of the state’s efforts to implement strategies that mitigate the effects of climate change, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released a request for proposals for a carbon credit market consultant and marketing and brokerage services that will complement state-managed forest resources.

The DNR seeks third-party services to conduct a project feasibility analysis and other necessary actions, as well as marketing and brokerage services to enable the DNR to sell carbon offset credits for improved forest management in accordance with American Carbon Registry standards. The ACR was founded in 1996 as the first private voluntary greenhouse gas registry.

The DNR’s RFP would:

  • Begin with a demonstration pilot project in the Pigeon River Country State Forest in the northern Lower Peninsula.
  • Offer potential to expand to additional carbon offset projects.

A carbon credit (sometimes referred to as a carbon allowance) helps to limit the release of harmful greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. For example, a company that regularly produces emissions as part of its normal business practices might be interested in reducing its carbon footprint. Possibilities within the state forest system might involve a company voluntarily purchasing “stored carbon” credits from the DNR, allowing the department to modify timber harvest rotations on some forest lands or plant more trees than originally planned in other areas – thus, increasing the stored carbon in all of those trees.

“Capitalizing on opportunities for the Department of Natural Resources to help lessen the effects of climate change through the capture of carbon in sustainable forest management and the production of durable wood products makes sense for the environment, for healthy, thriving outdoor spaces and for the people of Michigan,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger.

“This program could help position Michigan to sustainably leverage the diverse forest lands we manage to take full advantage of current and future carbon trade markets,” Eichinger added.

Michigan’s state forests provide clean air and water, materials for a strong forest products industry and places to hunt, fish, hike and camp. Learn more about how the DNR manages Michigan’s 4 million acres of state forest lands at Michigan.gov/Forestry.

Vendor registration requirements

A company or individual interested in submitting a bid proposal is encouraged to register as a vendor in the state’s new financial and bidding system, SIGMA VSS, at Michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. Registration will be accepted any time up through the RFP close date. Bid documents and all associated attachments will be available only through the SIGMA VSS system, and all prospective bidders must be registered vendors to submit proposals through SIGMA VSS.

The following commodity code is assigned to the DNR’s RFP:

  • Carbon credit market consultant, marketing and brokerage services
    (200000001278 – Carbon Credit Market Consulting)

Pre-bid conference call March 17

To help prospective bidders better understand the specifics and process of submitting a proposal, the DNR will host an informational session via conference call starting at 1 p.m. (Eastern) Tuesday, March 17.

Call-in details are included in the RFP under “Proposal Instructions” – available at Michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. You don't have to register as a vendor in order to participate in the call. Prospective bidders already enrolled in SIGMA can log in with their credentials; those not currently registered can use the guest access. Once in the system, simply search for the term "carbon credit." Call instructions are available within the RFP under the Attachments tab.

During the call, participants can:

  • Learn about the RFP, its components and the documents that must be submitted in a bid response.
  • Ask questions about completing those documents.
  • Learn about and ask questions regarding forestry data available for the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

The conference call and webinar are preliminary and not binding in any way. To obtain an official answer to any question, a bidder must submit that question in writing as instructed in the RFP guidelines.

Contact: David Price, 616-443-1667