IFB#10210185 Benthic Enumeration Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #10210185 for benthic enumeration services, seeking a contractor to perform comprehensive macrobenthic organism sorting, identification, and enumeration for monitoring requirements mandated by Water Right Decision 1641 and special studies. The procurement requires a contractor with at least one analyst possessing five years of experience analyzing benthic samples from the Upper San Francisco Estuary, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and Suisun and San Pablo Bays. The contract will cover an estimated 520 benthic invertebrate identification and enumeration samples and 450 body length measurement samples annually, with contractors responsible for complete sample processing, identification, storage, and result reporting within 45 days of sample receipt. Key procurement dates include bid availability on June 4, 2025, technical questions due by June 12, 2025, bid submission deadline of July 1, 2025, and a bid opening on July 2, 2025. Pricing will be structured on a per-sample basis, with bidders required to complete a detailed bid sheet demonstrating their pricing structure and capabilities.

The solicitation includes specific provisions for small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) participation, with potential preference calculations and reporting requirements embedded in the procurement process. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the multi-year contract structure (anticipated three-year term starting September 2025) suggests a significant potential contract value based on the annual sample volume. The procurement appears designed to provide opportunities for diverse business participation, particularly emphasizing small and disabled veteran-owned businesses. Contractors will need to demonstrate technical expertise in benthic sample analysis, with a focus on precise identification and enumeration methodologies specific to the San Francisco Estuary ecosystem. The contract's comprehensive requirements suggest a competitive bidding environment that will carefully evaluate vendors' technical capabilities, experience, and pricing strategies to select the most qualified contractor for this specialized scientific service.