Feasibility Assessment Study - RI

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service seeks a feasibility assessment study for marsh restoration and tidal flow improvement at Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown, Rhode Island, with proposals due July 20, 2026 and questions due July 6, 2026. This is a total small business set-aside conducted under FAR Part 13 simplified acquisition procedures.

Place of performance is the FWS Southern New England Estuary Project, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, Rhode Island 02813. The work encompasses a 316-acre feasibility study including 180 acres of salt marsh at the refuge's Salt Meadow Unit in Westbrook, Connecticut, with system-based tools development spanning four states (southern New England and New York). The study runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028, contingent upon suitable weather conditions and the absence of unforeseen circumstances.

The procurement requires demonstrated understanding of six primary tasks: assessment of existing data; evaluation of existing hydrodynamic modeling; a two-day post-award site visit and preliminary assessment; development of standardized system-based tools for tidal marsh hydrology applicable across Mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions; alternative analysis development narrowing six options to three preferred alternatives; and concept refinement advancing designs to 30% level with preliminary grading plans and volume estimates. The contractor must conduct sediment transport numerical modeling, preferably utilizing Louisiana State University ADCIRC modeling results, and integrate additional modeling coordinated with LSU. Task 5 requires at least one in-person alternative analysis meeting; other meetings may be virtual. Proposals must be firm-fixed-price, fully burdened by task including labor, travel, and modeling costs, submitted as lump sum via the bid sheet template. Evaluation weighs combined non-price factors (past performance, technical approach, and schedule) at 51% and price at 49%, under FAR Part 36 procedures. Past performance documentation must reflect three similar projects completed within the previous five years, submitted on the provided survey form without client validation. The NAICS code is 541330, Engineering Services. All offerors must be registered in SAM as active vendors by award decision and acknowledge receipt of Amendment 0001 (extending due date) and Amendment 0002 (Q&A and supporting report).