Owner's
Representative
Management services for the Gowanus Canal Environmental Remediation Trust. Coordination of RTA1 dredging, capping, and bulkhead support installation.
Project Objectives
The Gowanus Canal Environmental Remediation Trust is issuing this RFP to solicit proposals for an Owner's Representative. This role is essential for the management of the remediation within Remediation Target Area (RTA) 1.
These are legally binding orders issued by the USEPA that require "Potentially Responsible Parties" (PRPs) to perform cleanup actions. This project is executed under the strict federal oversight of the Superfund program.
The Trust consists of multiple parties tasked with designing and constructing the remedy. The Owner's Representative will coordinate between the Trust and the Remedial Design Team to ensure technical and schedule compliance.
The Gowanus Canal Environmental Remediation Trust is the governing body of parties responsible for the design and construction of the RTA1 remedy.
RFP Parameters
Remediation Target Area 1. This refers to the uppermost reach of the Gowanus Canal, where the first phase of dredging and capping remediation is concentrated.
Scope of Services
- Remedial Management and Coordination: The Owner’s Representative (OR) will act as the primary liaison between the Trust and the Remedial Design Team. This involves providing daily oversight of construction activities to ensure adherence to the USEPA-approved designs for RTA1. The OR must monitor the performance of all contractors and consultants, ensuring that remedial goals are met while managing the interface between various technical teams including the Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) and the Engineer of Record (EOR).
- Infrastructure and Bulkhead Oversight: A critical component of the RTA1 scope involves the installation of bulkhead support and replacement structures. The OR is responsible for supervising these stabilization efforts, which are necessary prerequisites for safe dredging. This includes coordinating the construction of bridge supports and ensuring that all land-side activities do not interfere with the stability of properties bordering the canal during active in-water work.
- Dredging, Debris, and ISS Management: The OR will oversee the complex process of dredging contaminated sediments and removing large debris from the canal bed using specialized marine equipment. This task extends to managing In-Situ Stabilization (ISS) where applicable, and the subsequent installation of the multi-layered remedial cap. The OR must verify that all dredged material is properly dewatered, processed at authorized offloading facilities, and transported to permitted disposal sites in full compliance with environmental regulations.
- Project Controls and Reporting: Effective project management requires the OR to maintain rigorous control over the project schedule and budget. This includes reviewing and validating invoices, managing change order requests, and providing the Trust with regular progress updates. The OR will lead weekly project meetings, document decisions, and manage the flow of information between stakeholders to prevent delays in the tight remediation timeline mandated by the USEPA.
- Environmental Compliance and Water Management: Ensuring zero-impact on the surrounding environment is paramount. The OR oversees the management of decant water and stormwater runoff within the project footprint. This involves verifying that water treatment systems are operational and that all discharges meet the specified water quality standards before returning to the canal. The OR also coordinates with the Trust's legal and technical advisors to ensure all work remains in compliance with the Unilateral Administrative Orders.
A method where contaminated soil or sediment is mixed with stabilizing agents (like cement) to trap pollutants and prevent them from spreading into the water.
Water that is separated from the solid mud and sediment during the dredging process. It must be treated to remove contaminants before being released.
The professional engineering firm responsible for the final design and for certifying that the construction matches the approved plans.