Contract-Specific Special Procurement for North Santiam Watershed Council

Marion County, Oregon is requesting public comment, questions, and formal protests through October 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM PT on a contract-specific special procurement under ORS 279B.085 that would directly award riparian restoration services to the North Santiam Watershed Council (NSWC). The notice is not a formal solicitation, responses are not offers, and the County will not evaluate or score submissions, so this is a direct-award intent rather than an open competition.

NSWC would review GIS analysis and priority streamside areas, assist with landowner outreach and contact tracking, coordinate voluntary site visits, conduct field verification of priority properties, document site conditions and restoration opportunities, help develop project-ready restoration opportunities, and support preparation of the Streamside Evaluation and Implementation Plan. Work is restricted to the approved scope within the North Santiam Watershed. The contract does not establish NSWC as an exclusive provider for future projects, which remain subject to applicable procurement requirements.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grant received in April 2026 funds the work, which supports the County's Temperature Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation requirements. The contract runs through the end of the grant period, March 31, 2029. All work requires Marion County authorization before commencement, and payment is contingent on approval and completion under the contract. The County will establish deliverables, schedules, and documentation requirements based on approved grant scope, available funding, project priorities, and NSWC's capacity.

Marion County justifies the special procurement on three findings: the procurement is unlikely to encourage favoritism or diminish competition given NSWC's established qualifications and geographic service area; it will generate cost savings by leveraging NSWC's existing watershed information, project experience, and coordination resources rather than duplicating preliminary work; and it substantially promotes public interest. Board of Commissioners approval is requested under Marion County Procurement Code Rules (MCPCR) 20-0285. Respondents must create an account in the Marion County Procurement Collaboration Portal 15 to 30 minutes before submitting documents, and the portal hosts all solicitation documents. Respondents are not guaranteed notification of results or future solicitation opportunities.