140R2023Q0118_Combined_Synopsis_Solicitation.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

140R2023Q0118

Environmental Consulting Service – North-to-South Water Transfer Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR)

& Biological Assessment

Contracting Office:

Bureau of Reclamation Interior Region 10 • California-Great Basin

Acquisitions and Services Division Supply and Services Branch

Sacramento CA 95825

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with FAR Part 13.5 and additional information included in this notice. The Bureau of Reclamation intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order for Env. Consulting Service – North-to-South Water Transfer Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) & Biological Assessment represented in the Performance Work Statement. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-05 as of September 22, 2023.

This requirement is being solicited as a total set aside for small businesses.

GENERAL INFORMATION

RFQ Number: 140R2023Q0118

Request for Quotation (RFQ) Request for Proposal (RFP) Invitation for Bid (IFB)

North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS): 541620 Size Standard: $19.0 million

QUOTE DUE DATE, DELIVERY AND CONTACT INFORMATION

QUOTES DUE: November 28, 2023, at 1:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

CONTACT INFORMATION: Mouang Phan Email: mphan@usbr.gov

Vendor’s Business Information:

Business Name: _______________________________

Agency Point of Contact: _______________________________

Unique Entity ID (UEI)/Cage Code: ______________________

Authorized Agent’s Signature/Date: ____________________________________

Please see further instructions for quote submission under Provision 52.212-1 Addendum and 52.212-2 Addendum.

Documents necessary for proposal submission are as follows:

1. Completed and signed Page 2 of this document.

2. Cost breakdown sheets (if further breakdown is available).

3. Completed Reps and Certs FAR 52.212-3 and FAR 52.209-5.

4. Information required in FAR 52.212-1 and/or 52.212-2.

mailto:mphan@usbr.gov

CLIN

NO.

Description Qty Unit of Issue

Proposed Price

The Contractor shall provide all management, personnel, supervision, labor, transportation, special tools, and materials necessary to perform services in accordance with the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price

Period of Performance (Approximately): December 21, 2023 – December 20, 2025 Activity Unit (AU)

00010

Task 1: Public Involvement

AU

00020

Task 2: Alternatives Development

00030

Task 3: Draft EIS/EIR

00040

Task 4: Federal Endangered Species Act Consultation

00050

Task 5: Final EIS/(S)EIR

00060

Task 6: Record of Decision and CEQA Approval Package

00070

Task 7: Environmental Permitting Support (Optional Task)

00080

Task 8: Administrative Record

00090

Task 9: Project Management

00010

Task 10: EA/IS Development for Interim (Optional Task)

Proposed Grand Total

QUOTE/PRICING SCHEDULE

Notes: If FAR 52.217-8 is exercised, the prices for the Option to Extend Service’s terms will be calculated based on prorated term and prices that are in effect at the time the option is exercised.

*The quote must include a price breakout for price evaluation purposes to include at a minimum:

1) All Labor Categories, including subcontractor labor categories if applicable, per the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2) The number of hours for each labor category.

3) The fully burdened labor rates for each labor category – including overtime and/or double time if applicable.

4) The total price for each labor category.

5) Price Breakout for materials to include kinds and quantities, if applicable, per the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

6) Price breakout for special tools, transportation, and other direct costs, if applicable, per the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

7) Indirect rates and profit.

Performance Work Statement Environmental Consulting Services

North-to-South Transfers May 19, 2023

1.0 General Description

This is a non-personal services contract to provide North-to-South Water Transfers (NSWT) EIS/EIR & Biological Assessment. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers (i.e.

subcontractors) performing the services. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the tasks required to complete annual water transfer activities and related environmental compliance to support dry and drought condition activities throughout the State of California using State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) facilities, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500-1508), Department of Interior’s (DOI) regulations for implementing NEPA (43 CFR Part 46), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended, and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The emphasis for this PWS is on providing environmental consulting services to prepare environmental compliance analysis and documentation for potential annual NSWT.

2.0 Overall Scope

A. The Contractor shall develop environmental compliance documentation and all associated analyses and modeling for a 20-year period of potential annual NSWT, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1500-1508), the Department of Interior’s (DOI) regulations for implementing NEPA (43 CFR Part 46), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) NEPA Handbook (dated February 2012) and National Historic Preservation Act, and other applicable laws.

B. The three major objectives of the requirement are:

1) Provide technical analysis and modeling support for the formulation and evaluation of potential alternatives and a proposed action,

2) Develop environmental compliance documentation in accordance with NEPA and CEQA including consultation under the ESA and other applicable laws and preparation of an Administrative Record,

3) Coordinate and communicate with interested parties, agencies, and public.

C. The project area will include potential annual water transfers to Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors, north of the Delta and south of the Delta, and in the San Francisco Bay area from CVP and non-CVP sources from north of the Delta using Delta pumps (both CVP and State Water Project (SWP) facilities). Water would be made available for transfer through various methods such as groundwater substitution, cropland idling/shifting, reservoir release, and conservation, and would include only single-year transfers during the period April 1, 2025 through November 30, 2044.

D. For additional description of tasks see Section 10 (below).

3.0 Background

Hydrologic conditions, climate variability, consumptive use within the watershed, and regulatory requirements for operation of the CVP and SWP commonly affect water supply availability in California. This variability strains water supplies, making advance planning for water shortages necessary and routine. In accordance with Article 3(e) of the Sacramento River Settlement (SRS) Contracts and California state law, the SRS Contractors may transfer their Base Supply; and in accordance with Article 3(e) of the SRS Contracts and Section 3405(a) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA), the SRS Contractors may transfer their Project Water to any other California water user or water agency, State or Federal agency, Indian tribe, or private nonprofit organization for project purposes or any purpose recognized as beneficial under applicable State law so long as that transfer meets certain conditions outlined in the CVPIA Section 3405(a). Since 1992, Reclamation has been working with water users to facilitate the transfer of water made available by the SRS Contractors and other potential transferors.

In 2014, Reclamation executed a Record of Decision (ROD) implementing a 10-year review of potential water transfers of Base Supply and Project Water from SRS Contractors to water users south of the San Joaquin and Sacramento River Delta (South of Delta), primarily those serviced by the San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA). During dry years, the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority (TCCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) reaching a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to cover transfers of Base Supply to Member Units of the TCCA. The 2023 and 2024 contract years are the last two years explicitly covered by the Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) titled, “Long-Term Water Transfers Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report” and the amended 2019 ROD. As a result, Reclamation is seeking to conduct the environmental analysis and associated permitting necessary to determine long-term effects of potential annual water transfers going forward, with the hope of reaching a Record of Decision prior to April 1, 2025. This project would essentially extend implementation of existing annual water transfer activities by providing environmental compliance coverage for north and south of Delta water service/repayment contractors over the next 20 years, through November 30, 2044.

The purpose of the NSWT environmental review is to facilitate the voluntary transfer of water from willing sellers located upstream of the Delta to water users located both north and south of the Delta and in the San Francisco Bay Area. The current EIS/EIR includes evaluation of Sacramento River, American River, Yuba River, Feather River, Merced and Delta regions. The NSWT environmental analysis should also incorporate transfer to CVP north of Delta users (TCCA). In addition to the SRS Contractors, the analysis should include the State Water Project Settlement Contractors on the Feather River and the CVP Contractors on the American River.

The maximum quantity approved for transfer to any contractor cannot exceed that contractor’s Contract Total, but instead will be used to make up for a reduction in the quantity of water made available to the Contractor in a Condition of Shortage. Such transfers need to be implementable within narrow annual windows and flexible enough to address highly variable shortages and annual differences in farming decisions north and south of the Delta.

The objectives for the NSWT environmental analysis will be to evaluate the potential annual water transfers through November 30, 2044, including 1) developing supplemental water supply for the SLDMWA member agencies during a Condition of Shortage to meet anticipated demands up to the Contract Total; 2) providing NEPA and CEQA documentation and environmental compliance for transfers of water to meet the need of SLDMWA member agencies for a supplemental supply, which transfers are quickly implementable and flexible enough to respond to changes in hydrologic conditions and availability of CVP water; and 3) providing a framework to facilitate the transfer of water.

4.0 Type of Contract

The Government will award a firm, fixed-price type contract. While the contract will mostly be time related to labor, materials may include technical platforms (such as models, applications, websites), meeting materials (handouts, posters, etc.), or other necessary items as determined by the contractor and Reclamation.

5.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance is a two-year period from date of award (approximately December 21, 2023 – December 20, 2025).

6.0 Place of Performance

The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the Contractor’s facility and other places appropriate for meetings and public outreach.

7.0 Government-Furnished Property

No Government-Furnished Property will be provided for this contract. The Government will not furnish any property, services, utilities, etc.

8.0 Contractor Furnished Items and Services

The Contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, management, supervision, personnel, and transportation except as specified herein as government-furnished, necessary to assure that all services are in accordance with the contract and all applicable laws and regulations. The contractor shall ensure all work meets performance standards specified in this Performance Work Statement and referenced documents.

9.0 Deliverables

A. Contractor and contractor personnel will sign a non-disclosure agreement with conditions related to access and handling of sensitive information at the time of award of the contract.

B. All deliverables (other than invoices) will be delivered to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Regional Office.

C. All electronic deliverables to be posted externally will be compliant with Section 508 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (https://section508.gov/content/learn/laws-and-policies).

D. All electronic deliverables to be posted and all materials made available to the general public will meet Reclamation’s Visual Identity Standards (https://www.usbr.gov/vip/IV-p-reports.html).

E. All electronic NEPA deliverables to be posted to the EPA web site will be compliant with EPA’s e-NEPA filing requirements for file size, formatting, and file preparation.

F. All data will be delivered in a format that is discoverable and useable by end users inside and outside the government, and consistent with Memorandum M-13-13 Open Data Policy – Managing Information as an Asset (https://project-open-data.cio.gov/policy-memo/).

https://section508.gov/content/learn/laws-and-policies https://www.usbr.gov/vip/IV-p-reports.html https://project-open-data.cio.gov/policy-memo/

G. All draft electronic deliverables will be developed and submitted using Microsoft (MS) Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, etc., as applicable, or for modeling files, in raw (native) model data formats, and all final deliverables will be in applicable MS Office programs and PDF formats. Modeling results will be shared in raw model formats, as well as all pre- and post-processing tools and spreadsheets.

10.0 Tasks and Deliverables

The following text specifies the tasks necessary to support the NSWT and prepare environmental documentation. There are ten tasks:

Task 1 – Public Involvement

Task 2 – Alternatives Development

Task 3 – Draft EIS/(S)EIR

Task 4 - Federal Endangered Species Act Consultation

Task 5 – Final EIS/(S)EIR

Task 6 – Record of Decision and CEQA Approval

Task 7 (Optional) – Environmental Permitting Support

Task 8 – Administrative Record

Task 9 – Project Management

Task 10 (Optional) – EA/IS development for interim

Task 1: Public Involvement

Subtask 1.1 Interested Parties and Public Involvement Strategy

The Lead Agencies (Reclamation and San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA)) will implement an interested parties and public involvement process for the proposed NSWT. The Contractor shall develop and submit an Interested parties and Public Involvement Strategy. The Strategy shall describe the proposed public involvement process and the Contractor’s strategy for identifying and implementing interested parties and public outreach activities. A Draft Strategy shall be submitted to the Lead Agencies for review, comment, and approval. Changes and adjustments shall be made to the Draft Strategy based on comments from the Lead Agencies. The Contractor shall submit a Final Strategy.

Completion of subsequent activities shall be in coordination with Reclamation’s Public Affairs Office in accordance with established schedules.

Subtask 1.2 Interested Parties Coordination

The Contractor shall support the Lead Agencies as necessary to coordinate with project interested parties, including buyers, sellers, and local governments. At the beginning of the project, the Contractor shall conduct three meetings with interested parties to discuss technical issues associated with the NSWT (see Subtask 2.4). The Contractor will also conduct four meetings with potential buyers and sellers to develop the project description and increase understanding of transfer approval requirements, including monitoring and mitigation requirements. The Contractor shall facilitate meetings, provide technical materials, and complete meeting summaries for all meetings.

Subtask 1.3 Public Scoping Meetings

The Contractor shall develop a draft and final Notice of Preparation (NOP)/Notice of Intent (NOI) to initiate the public scoping period. The Contractor shall assist the Lead Agencies in preparing and conducting public scoping meetings for the EIS/(S)EIR on the NSWT. It is anticipated that three to four scoping meetings will be held, at least one in Sacramento, one in the Sacramento Valley, and one in the Central Valley. The Contractor shall coordinate pre-meeting planning activities; define meeting objectives and format; prepare notifications, handouts, poster boards, presentations, and other presentation materials; assist presenters with presentation materials; coordinate meeting logistics; and attend scoping meetings. The Contractor shall work with the Lead Agencies to finalize activities and materials.

Completion of public scoping activities shall be coordinated with Reclamation’s Public Affairs Offices in accordance with established schedules. The Contractor shall document scoping comments received during the public scoping meetings and prepare and submit to Reclamation and SLDMWA a Scoping Report. The Scoping Report shall include a brief summary of the issues raised in the comments received on the NOP/NOI to prepare the NSWT EIS/(S)EIR and during the scoping meetings.

Subtask 1.4 Draft EIS/(S)EIR Public Workshops (Hearings)

The Contractor shall assist the Lead Agencies in preparing three to four public workshops (Hearings) following the release of the NSWT Draft EIS/(S)EIR, at least one in Sacramento, one in the Sacramento Valley, and one in the Central Valley. The Contractor shall coordinate pre-meeting planning activities; define objectives and format; determine locations; prepare notifications, handouts, poster boards, presentations, and other presentation materials; assist presenters with presentation materials; coordinate meeting logistics; arrange for a certified court reporter to attend and create a verbatim transcript of any formal presentation or hearing that may occur at any of the workshops; provide court reporter transcripts; attend workshops; track comments; document workshops; and prepare workshop summaries. The Contractor shall submit draft documents and materials and work with the Lead Agencies to finalize activities and materials.

Task 1 Deliverables:

1. Draft Public Involvement Strategy – Electronic Copy

2. Draft and Final NOP/NOI – Electronic Copy

3. Draft and Final Public Scoping Comments, Notes, and Report – One (1) hard copy, electronic copy

4. Draft and Final Public Workshop and Hearing Presentation – Powerpoint and PDF version

5. Draft and Final Public Meeting Materials – drafts as electronic versions, finals as posterboards, handouts, etc.

6. Draft and Final Interested Parties Meeting Materials – drafts as electronic versions, finals as hard copy handouts

7. Draft and Final Court Reporter Transcripts

Task 2: Alternatives Development

Subtask 2.1 Purpose and Need, Objectives, and Background

The Contractor shall describe the Program background that explains the history of water transfers. Background information shall include the study area, study period, Reclamation’s authorization(s) for implementing the action, regulatory framework and previous environmental documents under NEPA and CEQA, list of approvals, and EIS/(S)EIR organization. The Contractor shall develop a purpose and need statement and objectives for the NSWT. The purpose and need will meet NEPA requirements to describe why Reclamation is considering an action. The statement of objectives will meet CEQA requirements to describe reasons for action and relationship to prior environmental documents. The purpose and need and statement of objectives will provide the basis for the alternative’s development process. The Contractor shall provide draft statements to the Lead Agencies for review and shall include the revised statements in the Project Description Technical Memorandum (TM).

Subtask 2.2 No Action/No Project Alternative Development

The Contractor shall describe the No Action/No Project Alternative. Prior to completing Subtask 2.2, the Contractor shall ensure that adequate preliminary Affected Environment/Environmental Setting/Baseline Development information has been collected and developed to support preparation of a complete No Action/No Project Alternative description. The Affected Environment/Environmental Setting/Baseline are further described and developed to support Subtask 3.1. Under NEPA, the basis of comparison is the No Action Alternative, defined as the future conditions without the project. Under CEQA Guidelines, the basis of comparison is the environmental setting, defined as the physical environmental conditions that exist at the time of the NOP. Given the differences in the basis of comparison under NEPA and CEQA, the Contractor shall define the No Action Alternative (NEPA) and determine if the No Action Alternative is different from the environmental setting (CEQA). If differences exist, the EIS/(S)EIR shall include comparisons of the alternatives to both the environmental setting and the No Action Alternative to meet the requirements of both CEQA and NEPA. The Contractor shall assume two baselines, one for the No Action Alternative and one for the Existing Condition. The Contractor shall coordinate closely with the Lead Agencies to develop baselines. If necessary, a status quo baseline may be developed for the Interim Operation Plan (IOP) currently in place due to the ongoing litigation on the Reinitiation of Consultation on the Long-term Operations of the CVP and SWP.

Subtask 2.3 Alternatives Development and Screening

The Contractor shall describe a range of alternatives, including the description of the environmentally superior alternative under CEQA, to be analyzed that shall meet both NEPA and CEQA requirements. The range of alternatives shall consider comments from public scoping, interested parties, and previous water transfer activities. Because of the 20-year timeframe of the activities, alternatives shall not include major construction projects. The Contractor shall develop and implement screening criteria and a screening process to narrow the range of alternatives that will proceed into the detailed impact assessment. The screening criteria shall include, but are not limited to factors, such as meeting the purpose and need, engineering and economic feasibility, environmental effects, effectiveness, and socioeconomic effects. The Contractor shall apply the screening process to narrow the range of alternatives and identify the alternatives that best meet the screening criteria. The alternatives remaining after this screening process shall be carried forward to be evaluated in the EIS/(S)EIR. The Contractor shall assume that up to four (4) alternatives will be carried forward to the EIS/(S)EIR, including the No Action/No Project Alternative.

The alternatives shall include potential buyers and sellers identified in Subtask 1.2, as well as additional transfers within each basin that could come from sellers to be named later. The Contractor shall document the alternatives development and screening process in the Project Description TM.

Subtask 2.4 Identification of Water Transfers Sellers and Buyers

The Contractor shall assist the Lead Agencies in soliciting interested sellers and buyers to be included in the NSWT. Only those sellers and buyers that express interest in participating shall be included in the EIS/(S)EIR and analyzed in the environmental document. The Contractor shall support the Lead Agencies in contacting sellers and buyers and collecting information on the volume of water potentially available for transfer, methods of making water available for transfer, and purchase amounts. Both Project and non-Project water transfers shall be identified. The Contractor shall maintain a summary table of buyers and sellers, contact information, transfer types, and amounts to be included in the Project Description in the EIS/(S)EIR. The table will be finalized with the Project Description TM.

Subtask 2.5 Technical Assistance to Address 2010 Issue Papers

In the course of implementing annual water transfer activities, the Lead Agencies identified multiple issues associated with implementing transfers made available through cropland idling/crop shifting and groundwater substitution actions.

To date, issues were temporarily resolved, with the intent to revisit as needed going forward.

The Contractor shall assist the Lead Agencies in addressing the issues for inclusion in the EIS/(S)EIR for the Program.

Technical assistance shall include providing technical data and analyses, incorporating relevant information to the EIS/(S)EIR, and attending meetings with relevant interested parties (see Subtask 1.2). The Contractor shall incorporate decisions made on the issue papers into a set of technical information to be released separately from the EIS/(S)EIR.

Some of the documents will not be finalized; the Lead Agencies will continue to update the documents as needed during the twenty-year period of the Program.

Subtask 2.6 Project Description

The Contractor shall describe in detail the proposed action and project alternatives carried forward from the Alternatives Screening Task, including the No Action/No Project Alternative. The Project Description shall describe potential sellers, buyers, and methods of making water available for transfer from information collected in Subtask 2.5 and include decisions made on issue papers from Subtask 2.5.

A Draft Project Description TM shall be submitted to the Lead Agencies for review, comment, and approval. Changes and adjustments shall be made to the draft based on comments from the Lead Agencies. The Contractor shall submit a Final Project Description TM. The deliverable from this task will be used as the Project Description and Alternatives section in the EIS/(S)EIR.

Task 2 Deliverables:

1. Draft Purpose and Need/Project Objectives

2. Draft and Final Technical Information for the NSWT – One (1) hard copy, electronic copy

3. Draft Project Description TM – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

4. Final Project Description TM - Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

Task 3: Draft EIS/EIR

The Contractor shall prepare the Draft EIS/(S)EIR to meet NEPA/CEQA requirements, including DOI’s regulations for implementing NEPA (43 CFR Part 46) and page limit requirements in 40 CFR 1502.7. The Draft EIS/(S)EIR shall include, but not be limited to, an affected environment/environmental setting description, effects analyses, and cumulative effects analyses for the following resources in the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment, at a minimum:

• Surface water supply and management

• Water quality

• Groundwater resources

• Geology, soils, and seismicity

• Air quality

• Climate Change

• Flood control

• Visual resources

• Fisheries and aquatic ecosystems

• Vegetation and wildlife

• Agricultural land use

• Socioeconomics

• Power

• Recreation

• Environmental justice

• Indian trust assets

• Cultural resources

Subtask 3.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting

The Contractor shall describe the Affected Environment/Environmental Setting for the environmental resources to be evaluated. The level of detail that shall be consistent with the level of detail needed to analyze the environmental effects of implementing the various alternatives on the physical, biological, and socioeconomic resources. For environmental resources, data shall be compiled and presented in technical appendices, as needed, and summarized in the body of the EIS/(S)EIR. The technical appendices and summaries shall include sufficient detail to be directly used for alternatives analysis.

Subtask 3.2 Analytical Tools

The Contractor shall identify appropriate tools (e.g., models, research, business practices) to be used to evaluate impacts to the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment. It is assumed that appropriate and acceptable models such as CalSim 3 and DSM2 will be used for water supply and Delta water quality modeling, respectively. A transfer operations model may need to be developed to analyze the potential transfers. For this EIS/(S)EIR, the contractor is expected to use the Sacramento Valley Groundwater Surface Water Simulation Model (SVSim) for groundwater modeling. The Contractor shall ensure that SVSim is a reasonable and acceptable tool for this analysis and provide support for this conclusion. A regional economic impact model, such as IMPLAN, shall be used to evaluate impacts of water made available for transfer through cropland idling/crop shifting actions on the agricultural economy. In addition, the analysis will incorporate the current information and application of stream-flow depletion factors.

If necessary, the Contractor shall suggest modifications to existing tools. The Contractor shall review the recommended tools and applicable modifications with the Lead Agencies for final selection.

Subtask 3.3 Environmental Consequences/Effects Analysis

The Contractor shall provide full analyses for all environmental resources for up to four (4) alternatives including the No Action/No Project Alternative. The analytical tools selected and modified in Sub-task 3.2 shall be used to assess the performance of the alternatives relative to the significance criteria. Some amount of iteration between analytical tools and alternatives evaluation should be anticipated as part of this process. Resource areas that cannot be assessed using analytical tools shall be assessed based on other quantitative tools or in a qualitative manner. The Contractor shall prepare the definition or criteria for determining impact significance. The action alternatives shall be compared to the No Action Alternative (NEPA baseline) to determine effects. In addition, a comparison of the action alternatives to the environmental setting (CEQA baseline) shall also be displayed. The evaluation of effects shall be described in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

Subtask 3.4 Cumulative Effects Analysis

Cumulative effects shall include all other actions being considered by any federal, state, or local agency that are technically feasible and reasonably foreseeable. These actions may include the 2021 Reinitiation of Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation on the Long-Term Operation of the CVP and SWP, new storage projects under development, and the Delta Conveyance Project. The analysis shall include other existing or proposed water acquisition programs based on cropland idling/shifting and groundwater substitution actions taken to make water available for transfer. Projects included may be different for each environmental resource. Prior to evaluating cumulative effects in the EIS/(S)EIR, the Contractor shall document a cumulative effects methodology in a technical memorandum for review by the Lead Agencies. The methodology shall include potential projects to be included in the cumulative analysis. The Lead Agencies will provide comments on the methodology, which shall be incorporated in the Cumulative Effects chapter of the EIS/(S)EIR.

Subtask 3.5 Mitigation Requirements/Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

The Contractor shall develop and analyze mitigation and conservation measures necessary to avoid, offset, or otherwise reduce significant impacts. The EIS/(S)EIR shall present measures that partially or fully mitigate impacts associated with the alternatives. An analysis of the mitigation measures shall be performed to determine the possibility of indirect impacts due to the implementation of mitigation measures. The Contractor shall prepare an administrative draft, public draft, and final mitigation and monitoring plan in compliance with and that supports all NEPA and CEQA requirements. The mitigation and monitoring plan may serve as an appendix or attachment to the EIS/(S)EIR or it may serve as a document independent of the EIS/(S)EIR.

Subtask 3.6 Administrative Draft EIS/(S)EIR

The Contractor shall prepare an Administrative Draft EIS/(S)EIR (Admin Draft EIS/(S)EIR), including all Technical Appendices. The Admin Draft EIS/(S)EIR shall be organized and formatted to meet NEPA and CEQA requirements. The Lead Agencies, cooperating agencies, and water contractors shall review the document and provide comments to the Contractor.

Subtask 3.7 Backcheck Review Draft EIS/(S)EIR

The Contractor shall review the comments on the Admin Draft EIS/(S)EIR and revise the text accordingly in a Backcheck Review Draft EIS/(S)EIR (Backcheck Draft EIS/(S)EIR). The Contractor shall document the manner in which each comment has been addressed in the document. The Contractor shall prepare a Draft EIS/(S)EIR for public distribution that incorporates agency comments on the Admin Draft and Backcheck Draft of the EIS/(S)EIR. The Contractor shall make available limited copies of the preliminary print-ready Public Draft EIS/(S)EIR for final review and approval by the Lead Agencies. The Contractor shall assume limited comments on the print-ready draft.

Subtask 3.8 Public Draft EIS/(S)EIR

Upon final review and acceptance by the Lead Agencies, the Contractor shall make requested text revisions, prepare, and duplicate the Draft EIS/(S)EIR and Appendices for public release. The Contractor shall also provide draft and final copies of the CEQA Notice of Completion; CEQA Notice of Availability; and required press releases and notices.

Task 3 Deliverables:

1. Draft and Final Analytical Tools List – Electronic Copy

2. Draft Cumulative Effects Methodology Memorandum – Electronic Copy

3. Administrative Draft EIS/(S)EIR – Ten (10) hard copies with electronic appendices

4. Administrative Draft Mitigation and Monitoring Plan - Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies provided for the Admin Draft EIS/(S)EIR

5. Backcheck Draft EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

6. Print-Ready Draft EIS/(S)EIR – Five (5) hard copies with electronic appendices

7. Public Draft EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies, one (1) electronic version for Reclamation’s website

8. Public Draft and Final Mitigation and Monitoring Plan - Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies, one (1) electronic version for Reclamation’s website

9. Draft and Final Notice of Completion including required press releases and notices – Electronic Copy

Task 4: Federal Endangered Species Act Consultation

Subtask 4.1 Draft Biological Assessment

Under this subtask, the Contractor shall prepare a draft Biological Assessment (BA) for the NSWT. The BA shall incorporate the informational requirements of the ESA for the purposes of initiating a Section 7 consultation. Based on the BA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will prepare a biological opinion. The Contractor shall coordinate the development of the BA with Reclamation and USFWS to ensure that the BA incorporates effective conservation measures for the preferred alternative.

To fulfill federal ESA Sections 7 requirements, the Contractor shall prepare the BA consistent with following outline:

• A detailed project description of the proposed action, including site-specific and operational information.

• A list of evaluated species and any other special-status species.

• An analysis identifying the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts on the evaluated species, other special-status species, including any designated critical habitat, as well as actions related to and dependent on the proposed action.

• Measures to be undertaken to avoid, minimize, and compensate for such impacts, as appropriate, and measures to enhance the conditions of evaluated species. This shall also include monitoring plans, funding, and procedures to address changed circumstances.

The Contractor shall provide a draft BA to Reclamation for review and comment, including a “comment and response” form. In addition, a backcheck draft would be provided by the Contractor prior to the final draft.

Subtask 4.2 Final Biological Assessment

After receipt of Reclamation’s comments, the Contractor shall prepare responses, and incorporate comments, as applicable, into the BA. The Contractor shall prepare a final BA. Reclamation will use the Final BA to initiate consultation with the USFWS for the NSWT.

Task 4 Deliverables:

1. Draft BA – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

2. Comment Responses and Backcheck BA Draft – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

3. Final BA– Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

Task 5: Final EIS/(S)EIR

Subtask 5.1 Responses to Comments

The Contractor shall develop the strategy for identifying and responding to comments received during the public review and comment period. The strategy shall be presented by the Contractor and discussed with the Lead Agencies. The Contractor shall create and maintain a process for tracking comments and developing responses. The Contractor shall track comments by commenter, issue, and environmental resource area.

The Contractor shall be responsible for meeting NEPA/CEQA requirements of responding to comments received on the public Draft EIS/(S)EIR. The Contractor shall summarize the major issues from comments received on the Draft EIS/(S)EIR. Draft responses shall be prepared consistent with the approved strategy. The Contractor shall provide Draft Responses to Comments for review prior to the completion of the Administrative Final EIS/(S)EIR. Backcheck review of the responses to comments shall take place during the review of the Administrative Final EIS/(S)EIR. The Contractor shall prepare final responses to comments to be published as a part of the Final EIS/(S)EIR that addresses comments received on the public Draft EIS/(S)EIR.

Subtask 5.2 Administrative Final EIS/(S)EIR

The Contractor shall prepare an Administrative Final EIS/(S)EIR (Admin Final EIS/(S)EIR), including all Technical Appendices. The Admin Final EIS/(S)EIR shall include strike out text for deletions and italics for additions or clarifications made to the Draft EIS/(S)EIR. The Lead Agencies, Cooperating Agencies, and water contractors shall review the document and provide comments to the Contractor. The Contractor shall present and facilitate discussions to resolve issues resulting from the comments. If issues cannot be resolved, the Contractor shall identify policy issues for the agencies to present to decision-makers for resolution.

Subtask 5.3 Backcheck Final EIS/EIR

The Contractor shall review the comments on the Admin Final EIS/(S)EIR and revise the text accordingly in a Backcheck Final EIS/(S)EIR (Backcheck Final EIS/(S)EIR). The Contractor shall document the manner in which each comment has been addressed in the document. The Contractor shall prepare a Final EIS/EIR for public distribution that incorporates agency comments on the Admin Draft and Backcheck Draft of the EIS/(S)EIR. The Contractor shall make available limited copies of the preliminary print-ready Public Final EIS/(S)EIR for final review and approval by the Lead Agencies.

The Contractor shall assume limited comments on the print-ready draft.

Subtask 5.4 Public Final EIS/(S)EIR

Upon final review and acceptance by the Lead Agencies, the Contractor shall make requested text revisions and prepare the Final EIS/(S)EIR and Appendices for public release. The Contractor shall prepare draft and final NOAs for publication in the Federal Register. The Contractor shall also provide draft and final copies of the CEQA Notice of Completion; CEQA Notice of Availability; and required newspaper notices.

Task 5 Deliverables:

1. Comment/Response Summary

2. Administrative Final EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

3. Backcheck Final EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

4. Print-Ready Final EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to five (5) hard copies with appendices

5. Public Final EIS/(S)EIR – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies, and one (1) electronic version for Reclamation’s website

6. Draft and Final CEQA Notice of Completion, press releases and notices – Electronic Copy

Task 6: Record of Decision and CEQA Approval Package

The Contractor shall prepare two (2) draft versions of the ROD that comply with NEPA and Reclamation’s requirements.

The draft ROD shall describe the decision, include a summary of comments received on the Final EIS/(S)EIR from all sources including both written and verbal comment, mitigation measures to be adopted, summary of the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, factors considered in the decision, identification of the environmentally preferable alternative, and a discussion of the alternatives considered. The Contractor shall incorporate Reclamation’s comments on the first draft version of the ROD and prepare a second draft. Reclamation shall be responsible for finalizing the ROD and obtaining signatures. Reclamation will provide direction to the Contractor on the format, content, and decisions to be documented in the ROD.

The Contractor shall prepare two (2) draft versions of the CEQA Project Approval Package that complies with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines for review. The CEQA Project Approval Package shall contain, but may not limited to, the following: CEQA Findings; Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Plan; Statement of Overriding Considerations (if any);

and Notice of Determination. All comments from the Lead Agencies on the first draft version of the CEQA Project Approval Package shall be incorporated and a second draft version shall be prepared. The Lead Agencies shall be responsible for finalizing the CEQA Project Approval Package and obtaining signatures. The Lead Agencies will provide direction to the Contractor on the format, content, and decisions to be documented for the CEQA Project Approval Package. The Lead Agency will be responsible for filing the NOD and all associated filing fees.

Task 6 Deliverables:

1. Draft and Final ROD – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

2. Draft and Final CEQA Approval Package – Electronic copy and up to ten (10) hard copies

Task 7: Environmental Permitting Support (Optional)

Under this task, the Contractor shall provide permitting assistance to the Lead Agencies to obtain all permits necessary to implement the NSWT. Expected permits include, but are not limited to, the following:

• California Endangered Species Act Section 2081 Compliance

• National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and State Historic Preservation Office Compliance

The Contractor shall work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to help understand their requirements. If CDFW’s needs are met by the requirements in the Section 7 Biological Opinion, then the California Endangered Species Act requirements may be met through a 2080.1 Consistency Determination. The Contractor shall also work with CDFW to meet any requirements or compliance that may be required under the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act. This task may include up to six meetings with agencies to coordinate on conservation and mitigation measures. Pertaining to the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and State Historic Preservation Office Compliance, the previous iteration of the transfer program was found to have no potential to effect historic properties and therefore no consultation with the SHPO was required. The Contractor needs to confirm that further review is not required.

Permitting assistance shall include, but may not be limited to, the following: preparation of draft and final permit packages and/or application/agreement materials; working with permitting and approval agencies to discuss the Project and Regulatory Compliance approach; and providing technical assistance.

Task 7 Deliverables:

1. Draft and Final Permit Application Packages – Ten (10) hard copies, electronic copies

Task 8: Administrative Record

Under this task, the Contractor shall identify, acquire, and organize the administrative record (AR) documenting the decision-making process and the basis for the agencies’ decision. The AR shall consist of all documents and materials directly or indirectly considered by the agencies’ decision-makers.

The Contractor shall identify all documents and materials considered by the decision-makers primarily through discussions with agency personnel and consultant and sub-consultant staff. The Contractor shall methodically search their files and the files of sub-consultants to determine the types and extent of materials in their possession. If requested, the Contractor shall assist agency staff in searching agency records.

The Contractor shall acquire all records (final meeting notes, technical memorandums, presentation materials, reports, letters, memorandums, electronic mail messages, faxes, etc.) to be included in the administrative record. The Contractor shall develop an AR organization outline for Reclamation’s approval. Once approved, the Contractor shall organize and prepare the administrative record including a hyperlinked spreadsheet with Batestamp as per Department of Justice guidance and deliver it to Reclamation at project’s end. Approximately two meetings with Reclamation will be needed to perform this task. The final AR should be submitted by June 30, 2025, or end of the contract performance period.

Task 8 Deliverables:

1. Administrative Record Outline – 1 hard copy, electronic copies as needed

2. Administrative Record – Three (3) external drive electronic copy of complete AR

Task 9: Project Management

Subtask 9.1 Project Work Plan and Schedule

The Contractor shall develop a work plan, work sequence diagram and schedules for completing all tasks for the NSWT.

The project schedule shall address each task and subtask and include start/finish dates, total duration in days, and key milestones dates. The schedule shall ensure that the ROD and NOD are signed prior to December 31, 2024, including finalization of all permit requirements. The Work Plan shall also include names, titles, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses of key individuals working on the project and include a project organization chart and project responsibilities matrix. The Contractor shall develop the work plan with input from the Lead Agencies. A Draft Work Plan shall be submitted to the Lead Agencies for review, comment, and approval. The Contractor shall incorporate comments on the Draft Work Plan into a Final Work Plan.

The Final Work Plan will be considered as a living document in which the Contractor will be expected to periodically update over the full performance period of this Task Order. It is believed that changes to the Final Work Plan will be primarily focused on updating the schedules and work sequence diagrams.

Subtask 9.2 Project Controls and Meetings

The Contractor shall manage the project scope, budget, and schedule. This subtask addresses general project management efforts, including the following activities, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Invoicing and monthly progress reports

• Oversight of day-to-day project activities and preparation of deliverables

• Correspondence with the Lead Agencies and interested parties

• Consultant project team management

• Document control (library)

The Contractor shall meet with the Lead Agencies, and other state and Federal agencies, as needed, on a monthly basis through the duration of the project to report on project progress and review task milestones. The Contractor shall facilitate these meetings, provide meeting agendas, develop presentation materials describing project progress, and prepare meeting summary notes. The Contractor shall anticipate and coordinate monthly conference calls with the Lead Agencies between meetings.

Task 9 Deliverables:

1. Draft work plan/schedule – Electronic copy

2. Final work plan/schedule – Electronic copy

3. Monthly Invoices/progress Reports – 1 hard copy to Reclamation’s Contracting Officer, electronic copy to Reclamation’s Program Manager

4. Meeting agendas, materials, meeting notes – electronic copies

Task 10: EA/IS Development for Interim (Optional)

Due to the limited time to complete the signing of the ROD for the NSWT and the concurrent development of projects such as the Reinitiation of Consultation on the Long-term operations of the CVP and SWP, it may be necessary to complete an Environmental Assessment/Initial Study (EA/IS) in the interim. This may be required if there is a timing gap between the range studied in the current EIS and the completion of this EIS/(S)EIR and if no exception or exemption applies. The Contractor shall prepare the EA/IS to meet NEPA/CEQA requirements, including DOI’s regulations for implementing NEPA (43 CFR Part 46) and the page limit requirements in 40 CFR 1501.5(f). The Draft EA/IS shall include, but not be limited to, an affected environment/environmental setting description, effects analyses, and cumulative effects analyses for the following resources in the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment, at a minimum:

• Surface water supply and management

• Water quality

• Groundwater resources

• Geology, soils, and seismicity

• Air quality

• Climate Change

• Flood control

• Visual resources

• Fisheries and aquatic ecosystems

• Vegetation and wildlife

• Agricultural land use

• Socioeconomics

• Power

• Recreation

• Environmental justice

• Indian trust assets

• Cultural resources

Subtask 10.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting

The Contractor shall describe…