North Fork and Middle Fork Nooksack Chinook Egg-Fry Survival Study

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking a contractor to execute a comprehensive North Fork and Middle Fork Nooksack Chinook Egg-Fry Survival Study, focusing on sediment and scour research. The project requires constructing 36 artificial redds across 12 sites over two years, with specific objectives of measuring environmental impacts on salmon egg-to-fry survival rates. Qualified bidders must demonstrate extensive expertise in measuring sedimentation, scour rates, environmental covariates, redd construction, and advanced data analysis techniques. Key deliverables include collaborative work with WDFW staff, collecting gametes from the Kendall Creek hatchery, constructing and monitoring redds, tracking temperature and survival rates, and producing annual reports and a peer-reviewed manuscript. The contract is scheduled to run from July 15, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with a pre-bid conference set for June 23, 2025, and proposal submissions due by July 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria include technical approach, contractor qualifications, and a 5% preference for Small Business or Veteran-Owned Businesses in the proposal scoring process.

The procurement opportunity encourages participation from Disadvantaged, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, with explicit provisions to support diverse business involvement. The total budget for the project is $265,000, allocated for the comprehensive two-year study of Chinook salmon population survival in the Nooksack basin. While no incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned, the project requires sophisticated scientific capabilities and collaborative research skills. Potential respondents must have proven experience in environmental research, salmon habitat analysis, and advanced data collection methodologies. The contract appears designed to support ongoing salmon recovery efforts, with a strong emphasis on scientific rigor and detailed environmental monitoring. Bidders will need to demonstrate not only technical expertise but also the ability to work closely with WDFW research staff and produce high-quality, peer-reviewable scientific documentation of their findings.