DEQ - Tetra Tech 5-28-2026.pdf

Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP)

Sole Source Authorization - SSA - New

If you have any questions please contact us at DOPHelpDesk@adm.idaho.gov

Form ID 17592

Generated after Receipt by DOP

Year

Requestor Information

Agency Name*

IDEQ

Agency Acronym*

IDEQ

Requestor Name* Keith Thomas

Phone* 208-373-0119

E-mail* keith.thomas@deq.idaho.gov

Property Being Purchased:* We are seeking access to the intellectual property of the Tetra Tech Bioassessment/Biocriteria Group

This field has a 300 character limit

Type of Exemption Check all that apply

Type of Exemption*

A solicitation has been completed and my Agency wishes to award contracts to multiple vendors for the same or smilar property (Multiple Award Authorization)

My Agency wishes to administer or award a solicitation at a dollar amount above its normal Delegated Purchasing Authority (Limited/One-Time DPA)

The property required is available on one or more open contracts, but my Agency wishes to purchase from a different vendor. (Note: if total value is over $10,000, Agency must also check the box for exemption from competition if requesting to pruchase from a specific vendor). (Utilization of Open Contract).

A solicitation is being developed (by my Agency under its DPA or in conjunction with DOP) and my Agency wishes to limit responses to a specific manufacturer/brand name (I.e. no substitutions). (Note: this option assumes that multiple vendors can offer the identified brand name; otherwise, select the option for exemption from competition to request a Sole Source Authorization (Brand Name Only)

A solicitation has been completed and there is a need to negotiate with one or more vendors. (Authorization to Negotiate)

My Agency is seeking to purchase directly from an identified vendor without completing a solicitation OR wishes to perform a level of competition that is less formal than would typically be required. (Various exemptions-additional questions to follow) mailto:keith.thomas@deq.idaho.gov

Additional Questions*

There is an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare (Emergency Purchase Authorization)

The required property can only be procured from a single supplier (sole manufacturer and distributor) (Sole Source Authorization)

There is an existing Policy Directive on the DOP website which requires authorization to be utilized (Utilization of Policy Directive)

It would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to complete the required competitive process under the circumstances (One Time Exemption).

Sole Source Authorization

IDAPA 38.05.01.042.02 provides that sole source purchase shall be used only if a requirement is reasonably available from a single supplier.

Fiscal Year*

Type of Request*

New

Renew (Agency wishes to extend an existing sole source authorization)

Amend (Check this box to request a change to the goods/services, term or other conditions of the

SSA)

Both Renew and Amend

New

Name of Requested Vendor*

32896 - TETRA TECH INC

Desired Term in Years*

Anticipated Total Cost (for full desired term):

$100,000.00

Do you anticipate the need for renewals?

Yes No

Property* Describe the property you are seeking

We are seeking access to the intellectual property of the Tetra Tech Bioassessment/Biocriteria Group. We aim to contract a small group of specialized consultants ( Jen Stamp, Ben Jessup, and Ben Block) to assess the performance of our current Beneficial use Reconnaissance Program Multi-Metric Index (an Integrated Biotic Index designed explicitly for our rapid bioassessment program to meet the reporting needs of the Clean Water Act via the Integrated Report) after recalibrating our reference site values with data collected between 2008-now. 2008 is the last time our MMI was calibrated with data from 1998-2008.

Justification* Check all that apply

Sole source provider of a licensed or patented good or service

Sole manufacturer AND distributor

Sole provider of factory-authorized/warranty service

Sole provider of items that are compatible with existing equipment, systems, programs, etc.

Other

Additional info if "Other" selected* The Tetra Tech Bioassessment Group is the sole provider of technical niche knowledge needed to perform this work.

https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/38/380501.pdf

Business Need* Describe the Agency's business need for the requested property

Current biotic index for streams/rivers only incorporates data from 1998-2008. Need to incorporate all data collected since to see if a shift in reference condition is reducing discrimination between stressed and non-stressed sites. Needed for assessment listing/delisting decisions statewide.

This field has a 300 character limit

Description* Describe what makes the identified property unique. Why is it the only property that could meet your business need?

Jen Stamp and Ben Jessup, two of the three consultants in the Tetra Tech Bioassessment Group, are the original creators of our current multi-metric index. Their knowledge and insight regarding how the models work and what statistical thresholds are biologically relevant is irreplaceable. Jen and Ben are cornerstones of the biocriteria community and are recognized as subject matter experts by multiple agencies, including the EPA, who use them for the development of bioassessment metrics in other western states.

Alternatives* Describe the research you conducted to identify other potential property/sources. What potential alternatives did you find and why will they not meet the Agency's business needs?

In searching for alternatives, I looked for similar recent research and work being done across Region 10. In my investigation of other state and agency bioassessment programs, I found that a) this Tetra Tech group was contracted for the job, b) key personnel at the EPA’s Office of Research and Development were involved (who have since left or been fired), or c) information being published had originated in an academic setting, usually tied to a masters or PhD student project.

File Upload and Certification

Notes

File Upload

Project Charter BURP MMI Recalibration.docx 424.63KB

ScopeofWorkForMMIRecalibration_MIG2025.docx 26.12KB

Maximum File Size 250 MB

Agency Certification*

By submitting this form, I certify that the information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, supports the requirement for a sole source procurement, and is in the best interest of the State.

Signature* Date Submitted* 2026-05-18

Approval - SSA

Administrator Intends to approve*

Yes No

(Pending legal notice and appeal period)

Optional Posting?* This exemption will be sent for posting before final approval.

Yes No

Notes Public View

This field has a 300 character limit

File Upload

Maximum File Size 250 MB

DOP Signature*

DOP Printed Name* Mike Gwinn

DOP Title* Deputy Administrator

Date Time 2026-05-28