Evaluation of Hydrology & Water Availability 15MR CO River

Colorado's Department of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), is requesting proposals under RFP PDAA 2027_0002 for hydrology and future water availability evaluation of the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River, with proposals due November 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM MST. The RFP establishes no set-aside. Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses registered with the U.S. Small Business Administration may receive a 5 percent preference on their bid price, and resident bidders receive preference equal to that given nonresident bidders in their state of residence.

The work covers the main stem from the Grand Valley Irrigation Company's diversion dam near Palisade (River Mile 185.1) downstream to the Gunnison River confluence (River Mile 170.3), habitat for federally endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. Studies assess water availability circa 2050 to support the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program study plan, using StateMod modeling against 2023 Colorado Water Plan scenarios and known historical water rights call regimes. Three tasks comprise data compilation, model scenario analysis, and field investigations with local water users, including observations and stakeholder interviews. The kickoff and water users meeting occur in person in the Grand Junction area, with other meetings held virtually. Deliverables consist of a single consolidated report with up to two draft cycles and one final report, with four-week review for the first draft and two-week review for the second. The state supplies the 2026 monthly StateMod model for the upper Colorado River basin and daily Recovery Program release and delivery records from 1999 forward. Minimum qualifications cover Colorado water rights, hydrology, and StateMod experience, which the prime and subcontractors may meet collectively. Offerors must submit three similar completed projects, personnel resumes, a project approach with schedule, and cost per task. Subcontractors may perform work remotely outside Colorado with state notification, and subcontracts require prior written approval. Proposals are limited to 20 pages and must be submitted through Colorado Vendor Self Service or Google Forms, as hardcopy and email submissions are not accepted.

CWCB sets no budget or not-to-exceed amount and will evaluate proposed budgets for best value, with optional tasks and enhancements beyond the minimum scope considered at its sole discretion. Payment is time and materials, invoiced and approved by the project manager. The expected start date is January 11, 2027, with all work completed by December 31, 2027. The state reserves the right to award to a single offeror and to add services as natural extensions of the procurement. Price proposals remain firm for 180 days after the submission deadline. The state owns all products, reports, data, and intellectual property developed under the contract.

Questions closed October 27, 2026, and Amendment #1 posted answers to 22 questions on October 30, 2026. A public virtual proposal opening occurs November 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM MST. Proposal evaluation runs November 19 through December 2, 2026, top candidate interviews run December 7 through 11, 2026, and award is estimated for December 18, 2026. Amendment #1 also posted an updated Exhibit A Scope of Work correcting task assignments for water user meetings.