RFQ - Geomorphic Assessment_1.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

NO. 2026-0033-01

FOR GEOMORPHIC ASSESSMENT

Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM Local Time

This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified firms to provide professional geomorphic assessment services of the lower Toutle and Cowlitz rivers. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate geomorphic conditions within the study area to support future watershed planning, sediment management, floodplain planning, habitat restoration, and related decision-making efforts.

The study area consists of the river-floodplain corridors of the lower Toutle and lower Cowlitz rivers, including:

1. Lower Toutle River between river mile (RM) 6.5, near the U.S. Geological Survey river gage at Tower Road, and RM 0 at its confluence with the Cowlitz River.

2. Lower Cowlitz River between RM 20 at its confluence with the Toutle River and RM 0 at its confluence with the Columbia River.

The selected firm shall be licensed in the State of Washington to provide the professional services necessary to complete a comprehensive geomorphic assessment of the study area. The Consultant shall propose the technical approach, methodologies, level of effort, and sequencing of work necessary to accomplish the project objectives. The Consultant will coordinate with Cowlitz

County, the Rivers Need Room Workgroup of the Spirit Lake/Toutle – Cowlitz River

Collaborative, and other identified project stakeholders throughout the project. Coordination may include progress meetings, review of draft deliverables, and incorporation of comments into final work products.

This is a qualifications-based selection process. Cost or fee proposals are not requested and shall not be submitted with the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Cowlitz County will negotiate the final Scope of Work and fee with the highest-ranked Consultant.

Project Schedule

All project work, including submission, review, revision (if required), and acceptance of all final deliverables by Cowlitz County, must be completed no later than May 31, 2027.

Consultants shall develop and propose a project schedule that demonstrates their ability to meet this required completion date. The ability to successfully complete the project by May 31, 2027, Department of Public Works 1600 13th Ave S

Kelso, WA 98626

TEL (360) 577-3030

www.co.cowlitz.wa.us

Board of County Commissioners

Steve Rader District 1

Steven L. Ferrell District 2

Richard R. Dahl District 3

Purchasing Services Ashley Claussen, Supervisor will be considered during contract negotiations and project management. The proposed schedule shall identify major milestones, including:

1. Project kickoff

2. Completion of data review

3. Completion of field investigations

4. Draft technical memorandum

5. Draft final report

6. Final deliverables

Project Objectives

The objectives of this project include:

1. Characterizing existing geomorphic conditions within the study area

2. Evaluating the processes influencing channel morphology and sediment transport

3. Identifying geomorphic trends affecting floodplain function and habitat

4. Developing mapping and technical documentation to support future planning and management

5. Providing technical information that can be used by Cowlitz County and project partners for future restoration, floodplain management, and sediment management decisions

Scope of Services

1. Project Management

Provide overall project management and coordination throughout the duration of the project, including:

i. Project management and administration

ii. Development of a detailed work plan and project schedule

iii. Coordination with Cowlitz County staff and project stakeholders

iv. Progress reporting, invoicing, and project meetings as necessary

2. Existing Conditions Assessment

Compile, review, and evaluate existing information relevant to the study area. The

Consultant shall identify available datasets, previous studies, and other information necessary to support the assessment, including, as appropriate:

i. Previous technical studies and reports

ii. Historical mapping and aerial imagery

iii. Topographic and LiDAR datasets

iv. Geologic information

v. Hydrologic and hydraulic data

vi. Sediment and channel migration information

vii. Land use and land cover information

viii. Floodplain and infrastructure information

ix. Other relevant federal, state, tribal, and local data sources

The Consultant shall organize project information in an appropriate digital format suitable for future use by Cowlitz County.

3. Field Investigation

The Consultant shall propose and conduct field investigations appropriate to support the geomorphic assessment. The proposed approach should identify the anticipated field methods, level of effort, and data collection necessary to characterize existing conditions and validate desktop analyses. Field investigations may include, but are not limited to:

i. Site reconnaissance

ii. Geomorphic reach characterization

iii. Documentation of channel and floodplain conditions

iv. Identification of sediment sources, transport processes, and depositional areas

v. Documentation of infrastructure, habitat features, and other factors influencing channel processes

The Consultant shall document field observations through appropriate notes, mapping, photography, and other supporting information.

4. Geomorphic Assessment and Mapping

Develop a comprehensive geomorphic assessment of the study area, including mapping and interpretation of watershed- and reach-scale conditions. The assessment should include, as appropriate:

i. Delineation of geomorphic reaches

ii. Existing channel conditions

iii. Floodplain characteristics

iv. Historical channel migration

v. Geomorphic change analyses

vi. Sediment processes

vii. Areas of erosion and deposition

viii. Human modifications affecting channel function

ix. Other geomorphic features relevant to the project objectives

The Consultant shall prepare GIS mapping products and supporting figures suitable for technical documentation and future planning efforts.

5. Technical Analysis

The Consultant shall recommend and perform the technical analyses necessary to evaluate geomorphic processes within the study area. As appropriate, analyses may include hydraulic modeling, sediment transport evaluation, channel stability assessments, or other analytical methods proposed by the Consultant.

The Consultant shall describe the proposed analytical methods, assumptions, limitations, and expected project outcomes.

6. Technical Memorandum and Final Deliverables

Prepare a technical memorandum summarizing the project methods, findings, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations. Final deliverables shall include, at a minimum:

i. Project work plan

ii. Digital GIS database and mapping products

iii. Field documentation

iv. Geomorphic assessment maps

v. Technical memorandum

vi. Supporting model files, if applicable

vii. Final electronic report incorporating Cowlitz County review comments.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified firms should demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

1. Experience conducting river geomorphic assessments.

2. Experience with fluvial geomorphology, sediment transport, and river processes.

3. Experience performing hydraulic, sediment transport, or related technical analyses.

4. Experience with GIS, LiDAR analysis, and geomorphic mapping.

5. Experience completing similar work for federal, state, tribal, or local agencies.

6. Availability of appropriately licensed and qualified professional staff necessary to complete the project in accordance with applicable Washington State laws and regulations.

In addition, the Consultants submitting their SOQ (and any subconsultants) must not be listed with the Washington State Department of Licensing as debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible to contract with Cowlitz County and must not be included on the General Services Administration’s

List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs or the

Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Limited Denial of Participation list.

SOQ Format

In order to assure uniformity of the SOQ’s responding to this RFQ and to facilitate the evaluation process, all submittals should be organized and labeled following the outline below:

1. Cover Letter – Introduce the firm and express interest in the project.

2. Company Profile – Include background and qualifications.

3. Project Approach and Schedule – Outline the firm’s understanding of the project objectives, proposed approach and methodology, anticipated level of effort, and projected timeline for completing the project.

4. Key Personnel – Identify the project team and relevant expertise.

5. References – Provide descriptions of similar projects completed, including owner references with current contact information.

Evaluation and Selection

The following criteria will be used to evaluate each proposal.

1. 40 points – Demonstrated experience conducting geomorphic assessments and similar technical studies.

2. 30 points – Understanding of the project objectives, proposed technical approach, and ability to complete the project by the required May 31, 2027 deadline.

3. 20 points – Qualifications and experience of key personnel.

4. 10 points – Past performance and client references.

Qualifications will be reviewed and weighed as indicated above. Following evaluations of the

SOQs, the highest-ranking firms may be invited to participate in an interview process. The intent of the interviews is to help clarify and verify information provided in the SOQ and to give the evaluation team an opportunity to learn more about the firm’s relevant experience and expertise.

Cowlitz County will negotiate the final Scope of Work and budget with the highest-scoring

Consultant. The successful Consultant will be expected to enter into Cowlitz County’s standard

Professional Services Agreement attached to this RFQ. Insurance requirements are included in that agreement. In no event is a Consultant to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this solicitation. The Consultant must submit proposed exceptions to the contract terms and conditions as a part of their submittal, or the standard contract shall be deemed accepted as attached. Cowlitz County will review requested exceptions and accept or reject the same at its sole discretion in awarding the contract.

Revisions

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFQ, addenda will be provided via email to all individuals who have made Cowlitz County aware of their interest. Revisions, updates, and clarifications will also be posted on Cowlitz County’s webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

Cowlitz County in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination based on disability in all programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Cowlitz County

Department of Purchasing Services at cowlitz.purchasing@cowlitzwa.gov or by calling 360-577-

3030.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cowlitz County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42

U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the

Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin or sex in consideration for an award.

Reservations

Cowlitz County reserves the right to reject any and all SOQs and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This solicitation does not obligate Cowlitz http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/

County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of an SOQ or any other presentations, whether in response to this RFQ or to any subsequent requirements of the consultant selection and contract negotiation process. This solicitation does not obligate Cowlitz

County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services. Furthermore, Cowlitz County reserves the right to award the contract to the next most qualified Consultant if the originally selected Consultant does not successfully negotiate and execute a contract within thirty (30) days after the award of the proposal.

Submittal

One (1) electronic copy in PDF form is due no later than 4:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 to Ashley Claussen at ClaussenA@cowlitzwa.gov. The Subject Line shall read “Geomorphic

Assessment RFQ #2026-0033-01.” Late submittals will not be considered for contract award.

Cowlitz County looks forward to reviewing your submittal. If you have any questions pertaining to this RFQ, please contact Ashley Claussen at 360-577-3030 ext. 6856.