Aquatic Mitigation - RFP II 10200873

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Aquatic Mitigation project (RFP II 10200873) to create aquatic resource mitigation credits for the B.F. Sisk Safety of Dams Modification Project. The project covers jurisdictions including Merced City, Fresno County, Merced County, Stanislaus County, and University of California-Merced CDP. Contractors must develop and implement a comprehensive turn-key aquatic resource mitigation project, requiring a minimum of 38.19 acres of aquatic resource restoration and enhancement. Key deliverables include mitigation planning, land acquisition, restoration design, engineering, regulatory permitting, construction, performance monitoring, and site protection. Proposers must possess a valid Class A General Engineering Contractor's License and provide extensive documentation including site ownership proof, environmental assessments, and water rights information. The RFP is due on October 10, 2025, with a five-year contract term and payment structure distributed across six tasks: site-specific mitigation plan development (10%), permit applications (20%), permit delivery (20%), long-term site protection (10%), site construction (20%), and performance monitoring (20%).

The RFP includes Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program participation requirements, mandating a minimum 3% DVBE participation goal. Potential bidders must demonstrate comprehensive ecological, hydrological, and landscape compatibility within specific watershed boundaries in Merced, Stanislaus, and Fresno counties. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the project requires extensive environmental and regulatory expertise. The project will be fully funded by DWR, with the ideal proposal being scalable to potentially accommodate additional mitigation acreage beyond the initial 38.19 acres. Contractors must be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation including environmental assessments, water rights information, and detailed project plans. The project emphasizes ecological restoration and mitigation credit development, with potential for significant environmental impact and future expansion. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the six-task payment structure suggests a substantial investment in comprehensive environmental restoration and mitigation efforts.