For environmental professionals
Your clients sometimes need services you do not provide. EPN helps independent environmental firms connect with the specialists needed for those projects, rather than referring the entire job away. You can also be considered for work introduced by other firms or developed through the network. How the team works together is agreed for each opportunity.
A routine assessment can lead to subsurface testing, permitting, remediation, or a construction-related question. Instead of sending the client elsewhere, you may be able to bring in another firm for that part of the work.
Some private and public projects require several disciplines, past performance, or field capacity that a single firm cannot provide. A well-matched team may be able to pursue work that none of its members would bid alone.
Preparing qualifications, organizing subcontractor scopes, and coordinating a response take time. EPN can help with the commercial and proposal work when an opportunity is worth pursuing.
A busy sampling season, a distant site, or an unusually large mobilization may call for outside crews, drilling services, equipment, or laboratory capacity. These needs can be addressed through qualified project partners.
Where projects begin
Some firms already have a client or project in hand. Others have the expertise needed for work being pursued by EPN or another partner. Both situations are relevant to the network.
You explain the client need and the work you want to retain. Before introductions or a proposal, the participating firms should agree on the client relationship, scope responsibilities, and any proposed compensation for originating or developing the work. The terms will depend on the project.
EPN or another firm may need your specialty for a bid, field assignment, or follow-on phase. You can review the proposed work, decide whether it fits your capacity, and price the scope you would perform. An invitation is not an obligation or a guarantee of future work.
The right team depends on the assignment. Qualifications, insurance, availability and the contracting structure are reviewed for each project.
Environmental projects often depend on several kinds of businesses. EPN is developing relationships with firms and professionals whose work can complement one another.
| Participant type | Examples of relevant work | Possible involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental consulting firms | Due diligence, investigations, permitting, compliance, restoration and remediation consulting | Lead or support defined technical scopes suited to their qualifications |
| Independent specialists | Hydrogeology, ecology, geology, industrial hygiene, professional review and other niche expertise | Contribute specialized analysis or technical direction to a project team |
| Field and specialty contractors | Sampling, drilling, monitoring, site services, construction-related environmental work | Provide crews, equipment and field execution under appropriate agreements |
| Laboratories and suppliers | Analytical testing, equipment, instrumentation, materials and logistics | Support the field and analytical requirements of specific assignments |
| Other related professionals | Qualified services that connect to environmental project needs | Considered when a project requires their experience or resources |
Participation is based on fit and qualifications. Specific assignments, fees, responsibilities and any formal network terms are addressed separately. Being part of the network does not guarantee work.
Start with your services, location, usual clients and the types of assignments you want to pursue.
We may request licenses, relevant projects, references, insurance information and available field resources. The details depend on the service.
We talk about geographic coverage, project size, capacity and where your work may connect with other specialties.
Before project involvement, the parties should address confidentiality, client relationships, scope ownership, contracting and payment arrangements in writing.
If suitable work arises, the firm can review the requirements and decide whether to participate. Each project is evaluated on its own terms.
Client relationships and project roles
A consultant may hesitate to introduce another firm to a longstanding client. That concern is reasonable. EPN’s approach is to discuss the relationship and commercial arrangement before a team is assembled, rather than leave those details to be worked out after the project is underway.
Document who brought the opportunity forward, who communicates with the client, and any agreed restrictions on direct solicitation or use of shared information.
Each firm defines the work it is qualified to perform, proposes its own fees and methods, and remains responsible for required professional sign-off.
Origination fees, coordination roles or other participation may be appropriate on some projects. Any such arrangement should be negotiated and recorded before the relevant work is committed.
Project requirements
Different assignments create different insurance requirements. Coverage may be held by the participating firm or, where available and appropriate, supported through EPN-sponsored or project-specific insurance structures. No firm is automatically covered by a shared policy. Eligibility, limits and terms depend on the project, the role and the insurer.
No. A firm may be considered when another partner or EPN identifies a need for its services. Bringing an opportunity can also be a reason to engage, but it is not the only one.
The proposed arrangement should address your existing relationship, access to client information, the firms’ roles and any agreed origination compensation in writing before introductions are made. Protection depends on those agreed terms, not a blanket promise.
You define and price the technical services your firm can perform. The final scope, fees, schedule and contracting responsibilities are negotiated with the other parties before commitments are made.
Not automatically. Insurance appropriate to the work may be partner-held or, where an arrangement is available and eligibility allows, addressed through project-specific or EPN-sponsored structures. Coverage must be confirmed for each engagement.
No. Opportunities depend on client demand, qualifications, location, pricing, availability and other project conditions. Each firm decides whether to pursue the work offered.
For prospective partners
We can discuss the work you do, where you operate, and the kinds of projects you would like to be involved in.
Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.
