Background
The Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Bay Delta Office (BDO) is seeking businesses capable of providing ecological monitoring and research in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The goal is to better document and understand the effects of Central Valley Project (CVP) operations on hydrological, biogeochemical, sediment, and ecological characteristics of the system. This initiative aligns with Reclamation's mission to operate and maintain the CVP for navigation, flood control, fish and wildlife protection, agricultural and municipal water supply, power generation, and recreation in an environmentally responsible manner.
Work Details
The contract involves comprehensive ecological monitoring and research tasks including:
1. Hydrodynamic data collection: Continuous monitoring of water level, velocity, and flow using acoustic Doppler velocity meters and pressure sensors to assess transport processes affecting water supply and fish habitats.
2. Water-quality data collection: Continuous measurement of temperature, specific conductance, turbidity using YSI EXO2 multiparameter sondes; additional parameters like dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll, dissolved organic carbon, and nutrients will also be monitored.
3. Phytoplankton species composition analysis: Collection of discrete samples for enumeration alongside deployment of in situ multiparameter fluorometers to evaluate community dynamics related to algal blooms.
4. Sediment data assessment: Monitoring suspended sediment distribution using D96 samplers to quantify sediment concentration necessary for habitat restoration efforts.
5. Permitting: Obtain necessary permits for monitoring activities; provide equipment, materials, staffing; conduct biological sample collection; ensure data quality control; manage data publication; lead or co-lead data analysis and reporting in collaboration with Reclamation specialists.
Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance for the contract will be one year from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Place of Performance
The contract work will be performed in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay regions.
Continuous Flow and Water Quality Monitoring Network in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay
This is a Sources Sought Notice. The Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Bay Delta Office (BDO), is seeking businesses capable of providing ecological monitoring and research in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to better document and understand the effect of the Central Valley Project (CVP) operations on hydrological, biogeochemical, sediment, and ecological characteristics of the system. Data collection will include the following:
1. Hydrodynamic data: continuous water level, velocity, and flow (including both discharge and direction) that provides information about transport, mixing processes and water residence times. Hydrodynamic processes directly affect water supply, fish habitat, fish migration, and wetland inundation. The equipment used to collect hydrodynamic data include acoustic Doppler velocity meters and pressure sensors.
2. Water-quality data: continuous temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity, all of which drive biological and ecosystem processes. YSI EXO2 multiparameter water quality sondes are used to collect these data. In addition to basic water quality parameters (temperature, specific conductance and turbidity), some stations measure continuous dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll, dissolved organic carbon, and nutrients that impact aquatic biogeochemical processes (e.g. transformation rates, aquatic productivity, zooplankton growth) and are also in turn altered by many of these processes (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, uptake). These data are collected by adding additional probes to the YSI EXO2 multiparameter sondes with the exception of the nitrate data which are collected using a SUNA V2.
3. Phytoplankton species composition data: the collection of discrete samples analyzed for phytoplankton enumeration, in addition to deployment of in situ multiparameter fluorometers that measure phytoplankton species composition at critical locations across the network to evaluate phytoplankton community dynamics that can inform the science and management of both beneficial and harmful algal blooms. Time-series data are collected using a multi-channel fluorometer.
4. Sediment data are critical to assess and quantify suspended sediment distribution across the region and availability to existing and planned marsh habitats. Sediment concentration data are needed to transform turbidity data (a measure of water clarity) into suspended sediment concentration, a transportable quantity that can be used to compute suspended sediment fluxes and can be used in numerical. Suspended-sediment concentration data are typically measured with the D96 sampler, but collection methods determined by field conditions.
5. Obtain the required permitting for monitoring and research activities; provide the necessary equipment, materials, supplies, and staffing to complete all tasks; conduct biological sample collection and processing (e.g., identification, enumeration); conduct data quality control and assurance, management and open access publishing; and serve as lead or co-lead on data analysis and reporting of results. These activities will be completed in collaboration with Reclamation biologists and natural resource specialists.
The Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached is a draft and may change based on information received from industry. The final PWS will be issued with the solicitation. The awarded contract is expected to be for one year and the pricing arrangement is planned as a Time & Materials and Firm-Fixed Price hybrid contract.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541620 'Environmental Consulting Services' which has an associated small business size standard of $19.0 million.
This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, and the Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. The notice is for research and information purposes only. No award will be made as a result of this notice.
Any businesses with the capability to perform the requirement under the applicable NAICS code are encouraged to submit a response to this notice. As shown below, businesses may suggest an alternate NAICS if they believe 541620 is incorrect.
The information requested is:
1. Company name, address, SAM UEID number, and point of contact name and email address.
2. Business size and small business size classification if applicable (e.g. 8(a), HubZone, Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, etc.).
3. Information that would demonstrate that your business has the capability and resources to meet the specifications of the requirement.
4. Your opinion as to whether a NAICS code other than 541620 is appropriate for this requirement.
5. Your intent to submit a quote if a solicitation is issued.
All responses to this Sources Sought notice shall be submitted electronically (via email) to Sherry Heibeck at sheibeck@usbr.gov no later than 2:00 PM (PST) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
