10209787 RFPII Economic Analysis

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is soliciting proposals for a technical support contract focusing on economic and environmental analysis for the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive analytical services, including reviewing applicants' physical public benefits and project costs, updating Maximum Conditional Eligibility Determinations, and offering ongoing analytical support. The contract will have a three-year term with an optional two-year extension, anticipated to start in July 2025. Proposing firms must demonstrate at least five years of experience in water resources planning, California water policy, economic analysis, and working with state agencies. The evaluation process will allocate 100 total points, with 21 points for minimum qualifications, 49 points for approach to tasks and deliverables, and 30 points for the cost proposal. Proposals are due by May 15, 2025, at 3 P.M., with work to be performed remotely and occasional meetings in Sacramento. The project is funded through Proposition 1 (2014) with $2.7 billion and Proposition 4 (2024) with $75 million allocated for water storage project public benefits.

The RFP includes specific provisions for small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) participation, with potential preference points and incentives available to qualifying vendors. A supplemental document provides a list of 23 DVBE-certified vendors across various environmental, consulting, and infrastructure-related businesses, offering potential subcontracting or partnership opportunities. Proposing firms must submit comprehensive documentation, including detailed cost proposals, references, and certifications, while complying with state requirements such as Russia sanctions and generative AI disclosure. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the funding sources of Proposition 1 and Proposition 4 suggest a substantial budget for the economic analysis project. Vendors must be prepared to integrate their analytical services with existing WSIP infrastructure and methodologies, demonstrating technical capabilities in water resource economic assessment. The procurement opportunity emphasizes supporting diverse business participation, particularly focusing on disabled veteran-owned businesses and small businesses within the California state contracting ecosystem.