Grant Writing Assistance Services

West Basin Municipal Water District is requesting proposals for grant writing assistance services to support water resource management projects, with proposals due July 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and questions due July 20 at 4:00 p.m. The District encourages participation from Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and Local Business Enterprises (LBEs), offering three additional evaluation points to SBE or LBE prime consultants, six points if both designations apply, and one point for qualified SBE or LBE subcontractors participating at 30 percent or greater of total contract compensation.

The scope encompasses grant research, proposal strategy, and development support for federal and state grant applications related to water-use efficiency and recycled-water infrastructure projects. Primary deliverables include kick-off meetings with District staff, grant opportunity research aligned with funding needs, grant management program strategy and needs assessment development, funding abstracts and pre-application materials, grant application drafting and finalization with supporting documentation and budget analysis, and application status monitoring through award or rejection. The District may also direct the consultant to provide grant assistance services on a case-by-case basis to local water retail agencies within the District's service area.

The engagement is a two-year agreement, contingent upon Board approval, structured on a time-and-material basis. Respondents must submit detailed price proposals delineated by task with hourly rates for grant writing and management services personnel and all rate-calculation assumptions. Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 90 days from closing.

Evaluation criteria include proposal completeness and quality, respondent qualifications and experience, professional qualifications of key personnel, technical approach and methodology, references, and cost proposal. Candidate interviews and presentations are scheduled for July 28–29, 2026.

The contractor must maintain Commercial General Liability of $2 million, Business Automobile Liability of $2 million, Workers' Compensation of $1 million, and Professional Liability of $2 million. All work product becomes the property of the District. Invoicing is monthly on a Net 30 basis. The District retains audit rights for three years following contract completion and may terminate the agreement at any time with written notice.